Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) confirm that Japan’s men’s singles world No.1 Kento Momota has tested positive for COVID-19 after undergoing a mandatory PCR test at Narita Airport in Tokyo en route to Bangkok, Thailand earlier today.

Nippon Badminton Association (NBA) has subsequently withdrawn all its singles and doubles players from the Yonex Thailand Open (12-17 January 2021) and Toyota Thailand Open (19-24 January 2021).

The entire Japanese team was due to fly out to Bangkok, Thailand for the badminton tournaments on the evening of 3 January. Momota had gathered with the rest of the national squad a day earlier at the National Training Centre at Kita, Tokyo on 2 January.

BWF and BAT will invite replacement players and pairs for both tournaments from the list of reserves already scheduled to arrive into the ‘Asian Leg Bubble’ in Bangkok on or before 4 January and with a Certificate of Entry into Thailand.

Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) has also confirmed the withdrawal of its team from both tournaments.

The YONEX Thailand Open and TOYOTA Thailand Open, plus the season ending HSBC BWF World Tour Finals will go ahead as planned, with the world’s best badminton players to ascend on Bangkok, Thailand.

BWF previously confirmed the draws for the Yonex Thailand Open (12-17 January 2021) and Toytoa Thailand Open (19-24 January 2021).