World number one badminton player Kento Momota was injured in a serious car accident early Monday morning in Malaysia, just hours after winning the Malaysia Masters—his first title of the season.
According to police and the local fire department, Momota and three others were traveling to Kuala Lumpur International Airport when their hired van crashed into the back of a 30-ton truck. The accident happened before dawn.
The van driver was killed in the collision. Emergency responders had to cut his body from the wreckage.
The other passengers in the van included Momota’s physiotherapist, his assistant coach, and a Badminton World Federation (BWF) official, as confirmed by Malaysia’s Badminton Association (BAM) and police.
In a statement, BAM said Momota suffered cuts to his face and a broken nose.
Malaysia’s Health Minister, Dzulkefly Ahmad, said all four injured passengers were in stable condition and would be discharged once doctors deemed them fit to leave.
“Based on investigations and CT scans, there are no major injuries. They are stable and will remain under observation for now,” Dzulkefly told reporters outside Putrajaya Hospital, where the injured are being treated.
Japan’s ambassador to Malaysia, Hiroshi Oka, who visited the hospital alongside Dzulkefly, thanked the Malaysian authorities for their care and support following the accident.
Just one day before the crash, Momota defeated former world champion Viktor Axelsen to win the Malaysia Masters. The tournament marked the opening of the Badminton World Federation’s 2020 World Tour season.
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