ZCZC
BSP-01
MALAYSIA-MAS-BADMINTON-ACCIDENT-MOMOTA
Badminton world number one Momota hurt in Malaysia crash: report
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Badminton world number one Kento
Momota was among four people lightly injured in a crash in Malaysia on Monday
which left their driver dead, reports said, hours after he won the Malaysia
Masters tournament.
The accident happened in the early hours on a major highway as the group
headed for Kuala Lumpur International Airport in a van, official news agency
Bernama reported.
The vehicle crashed into the back of a lorry, which was travelling slowly,
and the driver died at the scene, the agency said.
“The victim’s body and all the injured were sent to” hospital in
administrative capital Putrajaya, fire and rescue department senior official
Norazam Khamis was cited as saying. The fire and rescue department did not
immediately respond to requests for comment and the identity of the others
hurt was not immediately clear.
Momota had been in Kuala Lumpur to take part in the Malaysia Masters
badminton tournament.
He won easily on Sunday, defeating Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen 24-22, 21-11 in
a boost for his Tokyo Olympics preparations.
The 25-year-old Japanese enjoyed a stellar 2019, winning a record 11 titles
including the World Championships, Asia Championships and All England Open.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0825 hrs