Tearful Tago wants mercy for Momota over casino visit

Japanese badminton player Kenichi Tago (L), flanked by Kento Momota, wipes his tears during a news conference after reports on his gambling at an illegal casino in Tokyo, Japan, April 8, 2016. REUTERS/Issei Kato

TOKYO (Reuters) - A team mate of Japanese badminton Olympic medal hope Kento Momota on Friday confessed to taking the world number two-ranked player to an illegal casino and tearfully begged officials to allow the star to compete at the Rio de Janeiro Games.

Momota, 21, in December became the first Japanese player to win the Badminton World Federation Super Series Masters Final and also gave Japan its first men's singles world championship medal by claiming bronze in Jakarta last August.