KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 1 Kento Momota (pic), who was involved in a road accident on the MEX highway (Maju Expressway) early Monday (Jan 13), has been hospitalised and is in stable condition, says Japan's national team coach.
The 26-year-old Japanese badminton player escaped with light injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Hospital Putrajaya.
The other four passengers in the van were Japanese team coaching staff Yu Hirayama, 35, and Arkifuki Morimoto, 42, and Badminton World Federation (BWF) court official 35-year-old William Thomas of England.
The crash killed driver N. Bavan, 24, on the spot.
Former international player Tan Kim Her, who is the men's doubles coach for the Japanese national team, confirmed Momota was among the three members of the team involved in the crash.
"They are in stable condition but are currently under observation for another six to seven hours to see if they are okay," said Tan.
Momota had just captured the Malaysian Masters after beating Viktor Axelsen of Denmark 24-22, 21-11 in the final at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Sunday (Jan 12).
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