Returning Stars Okuhara, Hirota Thankful to be Back
Two of Japan’s contemporary icons returned to the scene of past success after seven months away from competition.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Nozomi Okuhara – singles champion at the YONEX All England in 2016 and 2021 – and Sayaka Hirota – women’s doubles winner in 2020 – were Japan’s frontrunners for a medal at their home Olympics, but bad luck and pressure nixed their chances.
A right knee injury to Hirota during the event saw her sit out the remainder of the season, while Okuhara, who lost in the quarterfinals, sustained a right ankle injury and joined her compatriot on the sidelines.
In her first match on her return, Hirota had a brace on her knee but did not seem uncomfortable as she and Yuki Fukushima took a game off Chinese duo Zhang Shu Xian/Zheng Yu during their first round loss, 21-19 11-21 21-11.