Japan badminton star Momota feared career over after deadly crash

Japan's badminton king Kento Momota said he was again dreaming of Tokyo Olympics gold on Friday but didn't know when he'd return to action after a car crash that left him fearing his career was over.

The world number one admitted his "spirit was almost broken" after the accident in January -- hours after he won the Malaysia Masters -- which killed the driver of the vehicle taking him to Kuala Lumpur airport.

Momota, 25, had been expected to be out for two months but he needed surgery for an eye socket fracture in February, dashing plans to return for this month's All England Championships.

"I thought about it. How long will it take?" he said, when asked if he had been worried that he might never play again.

"There were times when my spirit was almost broken."
"I have received support from so many people and received such passionate words of encouragement that now, I feel that I really want to go for the gold at the Tokyo Olympics."
"The issue I have to tackle now is that whenever I'm on the court, I want to get into the action. I have to make sure I take it easy."