TOKYO (AP) – HIGHLIGHTS FROM RIO: Rio saw a clear end to Chinese dominance in badminton, although there are still reminders of its traditional power.
In women’s singles, Spain’s Carolina Marin beat PV Sindhu for gold. China’s Chen Long won gold in the men’s singles against Malaysian Lee Chong Wei, who won his third consecutive Olympic silver medal.
In men’s doubles, China won gold. The women’s doubles were won by Japan and Indonesia won the mixed doubles.
China won all five badminton gold medals at the London 2012 Games, but in Rio several top players, including medalists from previous games, lost early.
TOKYO EXPECTATIONS: With high profile retreats after Rio, new young stars have emerged in badminton.
Things could still open due to an injury. Olympic champion Marín will not defend her women’s title at the Tokyo Games due to a knee injury.
As always in high-level badminton, which officially entered the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, drifts – drafts that can affect the flight of the light shuttlecock – will be part of the game. In an attempt to compensate for these unpredictable air pockets, players switch sides during matches.
ATHLETES TO LOOK FOR: In men’s singles, watch out for Kento Momota, who was banned from the Olympic Games before Rio after visiting an illegal casino in Japan. Momota, the world No. 1, also had to recover from injuries from a serious car crash last year. Other contenders include China’s Shi Yuqi, Viktor Axelsen, who won bronze in Rio, and Anders Antonsen, both of Denmark. … In women’s singles, Taiwanese Tai Tzu Ying, world number 1, Chinese Chen Yufei, number 2 and Japanese Akane Yamaguchi are the best contenders.
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GOLD MEDAL MOMENTS: July 30: Mixed doubles gold medal game; July 31: gold medal match in men’s doubles; August 1: gold medal match in women’s singles; August 2: Gold medal match in women’s doubles; August 2: Gold medal match in men’s singles.