ODENSE: Shuttler Koki Watanabe (pic) of Japan may be one of the shortest players in the men’s singles fray but he hopes to stand tall like his idol Kento Momota.
The 25-year-old Watanabe has been rising up steadily to add depth in Japan’s singles department. He is currently ranked 13th in the world, eight rungs below national No. 1 Kodai Naraoka.
In the ongoing Denmark Open, he tore apart reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand 21-13, 21-19 to reach the quarter-finals at the Jyske Bank Arena yesterday.
He will play Lu Guangzu of China, who defeated Christie Jonatan 21-19, 8-21, 21-18 in another thrilling second round game.
Watanabe, who stands at 166m, said size did not matter.
“I’m one of the small boys in the big league here but I want to show that I can challenge every top player,” said Watanabe.
“In fact, I hope to be a role model for all those who think they are small for this game.
He fought valiantly against Kunlavut and was clever enough to know the right time and angle to set up an attack.
“I played patiently and stuck to my style of play and that was the key to win.”
Watanabe says he draws inspiration from the two-time world champion Momota.
“I grew up wanting to be like my idol Kento. He is such a great player and I adore him. Surely, I hope to be a top player like him,” he said.
Momota retired from the sport earlier this year, leaving the vacuum for players like Naraoka and Watanabe to fill.
Watanabe did well to win the Canada Open this year, and defeated Lee Zii Jia en route to reaching the semi-finals at the Arctic Open last week.
In fact, it was his third win against Zii Jia in the past meetings, having beaten him in the China Open this year and the Swiss Open last year.
“I don’t think Zii Jia was at his best whenever I faced him. I’ve seen him play better,” added the modest Watanabe when asked what was the key to beating the Malaysian.
