All England: Watanabe’s Double the Highlight of Japan’s Sweep
Yuta Watanabe became the first male double titlist at the YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships in nearly two decades as Japan swept the paired events in its 111th edition.
· DEV SUKUMAR & DIANNE PIERRE
Yuta Watanabe became the first male double titlist at the YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships in nearly two decades as Japan swept the paired events in its 111th edition.
Watanabe and Hiroyuki Endo defended their 2020 title in men’s doubles; Watanabe then returned for the mixed doubles with Arisa Higashino and the 2018 champions duly reclaimed their title. The double title was the first in nearly two decades after Kim Dong Moon’s achievement in 2000 and 2002.
“Winning both titles was my goal but I’m not completely satisfied at this level,” said Watanabe. “I want to brush up my skills and match other top-level players. Winning the two titles was something I could prove to the world. It was my goal, so I’m really happy.”