The Kento Momota scandal continues

Tokyo: Despite being kicked off Japan’s badminton national team and was banned from competition indefinitely after he was found guilty of placing illegal bets at an illegal casino, Momota could soon find himself in deep financial trouble.Hope Kento Momota could stay strong and positive during the difficult times. (photo: GettyImages)

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Kento Momota denied 2016 Rio Olympics berth

Tokyo: Japan will not send Kento Momota to the 2016 Rio Olympics despite qualified for the tournament by being the men’s singles World No. 2 at the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings.

Despite tearful pleas for mercy from his teammate Kenichi Tago, the Nippon Badminton Association (NBA) has decided on Sunday to suspend Olympic medal prospect Kento Momota from competition indefinitely for gambling at an illegal casino. The badminton’s governing body in Japan, will also strip Momota of his status as a certified member of the national team. Kenichi Tago who was also found guilty of placing illegal bets, was removed from the organization’s official player list for an indefinite period.This is one of the pictures that sparked Kento Momota's illegal gambling probe. (source: shincho)

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Kento Momota, Kenichi Tago issue apologies for visiting illegal casino

Tokyo: Japanese Olympic badminton medal hope Kento Momota made a somber apology on Friday after jeopardizing his place at this summer’s Rio Games by visiting an illegal casino.Kento Momota and Kenichi Tago admit to gambling at an illegal casino. (photo: AFP)

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Kento Momota may be banned from Olympics over illegal gambling

Tokyo: World No. 4 and 21-year-old men’s singles player Kento Momota of Japan could potentially being banned from competing at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro if the Nippon Badminton Association confirmed Momota has been a frequent visitor to an illegal casino in Tokyo.Kento Momota (r) and Kenichi Tago arrive at Narita airport Thursday morning.

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Kenichi Tago, Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying knocked out of Denmark Open

Copenhagen: Kenichi Tago suffered another shock early exit at the Denmark Open as he was knocked out in his opening qualifying match by world No 136 Kim Bruun of Denmark.

The world No. 39 Japanese was struggling to close out the match after he took the first set 21-11, but squandered a leading a 17-14 lead to lose to Bruun 17-21 in the second set. Tago’s stamina was no longer what it used to be, he struggled to adjust to the fast-paced game in the third set played by Bruun, who eventually wrapped up the 63 minutes match by brushing aside the Japanese 21-16 in the third set.Hope Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying can make huge breakthrough at their upcoming Superseries events.

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Kenichi Tago quits Japan national team

Tokyo: Kenichi Tago who played a critical role in defeating China in the semifinals of the 2014 Thomas cup tournament, has decided to quit the Japan national team starting on October 1. The Nippon Badminton Association had announced that Tago will be competing as an independent shuttler going forward.Best wishes to Kenichi Tago!

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Lee Chong Wei is back to compete in the Superseries

Kuala Lumpur: After a one year absence from the Superseries, Lee Chong Wei will be participating in the Japan Open Superseries in Tokyo from Sept 8-13.

The previous Superseries he played was at the Indonesian Superseries in June last year, where he lost in a three-set thriller to Kenichi Tago of Japan in the semi-finals with 16-21, 21-15, 16-21 at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta.The King of Superseries, Lee Chong Wei can finally play in the Superseries.

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Jan O Jorgensen, Kenichi Tago join Malaysia’s Purple League

Kuala Lumpur: After a three week break, the second half of Malaysia’s first professional badminton league – Kopiko Purple League will kick into full gear on January 2, 2015.

Second half of the season will see the addition of world number three Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark and world number 4 Kenichi Tago of Japan. Jorgensen and Tago will play for Petaling BC. In addition, the number two team in Purple League, Muar City BC have also picked up a big name in women’s singles, the BWF Superseries Finals women’s singles champion Tai Tzu-Ying of Taiwan.Jan O Jorgensen (right) will be the main attraction as second half of Purple League begins on Jan 2, 2015
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Chen Long, K. Srikanth book Dubai semi-final berths

Dubai: World number two Chen Long, fought back from a set down, to beat Danish badminton player Hans-Kristian Vittinghus 13-21 21-10 21-9 in 57 minutes on Thursday.China men's badminton team enjoy the Arabic style at Dubai

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Kenichi Tago’s withdrawal clears Chen Long’s path

Kuala Lumpur: World number 2 Chen Long faces a much easier path to the final of World Championships, after the Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced on Friday that Kenichi Tago of Japan has pulled out of the tournament which will be held in Copenhagen from Aug 25 to 31.Kenichi Tago’s (left) withdrawal had made Chen Long’s road to the final much easier!

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