Japanese badminton ace Nozomi Okuhara said she hopes her country’s younger generation can learn from her shortcomings, as she joined compatriot Kento Momota on Friday for an early exit from the Olympics.
Women’s singles number three seed Okuhara lost 13-21, 21-13, 21-14 to number eight He Bingjiao of China in the quarterfinals.
Men’s top seed Momota could not even make the group stage after losing to South Korea’s Heo Kwang-hee on Wednesday.
A tearful Okuhara, former world number one and world champion, urged the next wave of Japan’s players to be on their guard at the 2024 Paris Games.
“There is no ordinary reason to be upset, but we all have things that we need to improve upon,” the 26-year-old said.
“I hope the next generation aiming to play in Paris is watching and learning that it can happen. I want the whole of Japanese badminton to watch this carefully and move on.”
Okuhara said that he “came low” against Livewire Hay, winning the first game after letting the match go away from him.
“It’s a disappointing result,” she said. “I have a lot of feelings right now — a sense of accomplishment that it’s over, but I have to face the fact that this is my real level.”
China will also face compatriot Chen Yufei in the semi-finals, who defeated number one seed An Se-young of South Korea 21-18, 21-19.
“I made a few mistakes, but the important thing was to adjust during the match, and that’s what I did,” Chen said.
The Chinese players are still unbeaten in singles at the Tokyo Games, with Shi Yuqi in the men’s competition and defending champion Chen Long still alive.
“Everyone is doing really well so far,” Chen said.
“We have been well trained, and since the pandemic, our country has provided us with systematic training.”
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