Tokyo: Badminton world no.1 Kento Momota has tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, said Japan’s Badminton Association.
Following this, the Association decided not to send any players, including Momota, to Thailand.
“Momota has tested positive for the coronavirus, and the association has decided not to send any players, including Momota, to Thailand,” an association official said.
An association official confirmed that none of the other 22 Japan players tested positive, but said the entire team would withdraw nonetheless.
Momota won the All-Japan championships last week in his first competition since his accident last January, when the vehicle taking him to the airport after he won the Malaysia Masters crashed, killing the driver.
Momota was looking to make his international comeback in Bangkok after almost a year out following a car crash that left him with serious injuries.
The rescheduled Thailand Open is one of three tournaments taking place in Thailand this month, following disruptions to the badminton world tour schedule last year.
