Calm and collected: Kenta Nishimoto in action against Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen during their group match.
CHENGDU: Men’s singles shuttler Kenta Nishimoto was 19 when Japan captured the Thomas Cup Finals title in 2014 in New Delhi for the first time ever.
Nishimoto was not part of the team that time but was inspired by the historic triumph led by Kento Momota, who was the same age as the former.
The 29-year-old has since worked his way up to become Japan’s No. 2 and world No. 11 and is out to help the team regain the title.
“I watched Japan win the Thomas Cup title on television and it really inspired me to work harder and to be where I am now,” said Nishimoto.
“I want to go all out help the team win again this time.”
Nishimoto made his debut in the prestigious team meet in 2018 and came close to winning the title but the team were denied by China and lost 1-3 in the final in Bangkok.
In the 2021 edition, Japan were again beaten by China by the same score this time in the last four.
Nishimoto was also part of the team that narrowly lost 2-3 to Indonesia in the last edition in 2022 in Bangkok.
He is now out to get it right in his fourth appearance in the tournament.
Nishimoto also wants to help the team win the title as a farewell gift to Momota, who will retire from international badminton after the team meet.
“The whole team are highly motivated to win the title for Momota,” said Nishimoto.“We want to give him the best farewell gift we can and we will fight hard to be successful.”
Japan boast a strong team this time with 2023 World Championships silver medallist Kodai Naraoka, world No. 22 Koki Watanabe and Momota joining Nishimoto in the singles.
In the doubles, 2021 world title winners Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi will spearhead the team’s challenge and will be supported by world No. 16 Akira Koga-Taichi Saito and world No. 24 Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura.
Japan have booked their place in the last eight after sweeping aside Germany and Czech Republic 5-0 in their first two Group B matches.
