Kodai Naraoka is among the 3 JPN MS who play in Yonex K&D Graphic IC (USA) this week. And it seems that Naraoka is starting to play MD. He is partnering with Teruki Muto. All JPN players in Yonex K&D Graphic IC are listed here: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/matches.aspx?id=7E916863-0B49-4CBC-A7A8-9497131AE1E2&c=JPN
I looked at the NBA list before, and I still have absolutely no idea why Ohori Aya is featuring in this event.
As redemption for her 7x early (first round) exit maybe, those early exit only give her less than 3,000 ranking points. If she win this tournament, she will get 4,000 points. Mostly they're the player from Tonami & Unisys, are they sent by their own funding or by NBA? With current status of Naraoka is no more in the national team, I don't think he will be sent to the next WJC. How do you think?
All the players, including Naraoka, are self-financed. Actually, Naraoka's father is accompanying them as one of the coaches. Although there has not been an announcement yet, I think that Naraoka's position on the junior national team should be secure. Unless another extremely strong MS candidate appears, I consider it likely that he will be sent to the WJC.
I think it is safe to say that his game is pretty much the best in Japan right now. His game looks exhausting though - it doesn't look easy. When you watch Momota or Lin Dan play - badminton seems easy. But his game doesn't give that feeling however this is only perception.
His game does seem very forced. Like for the long run he wouldn't survive, one day he is gonna be burnt out. Surely he'll slowly transition into a more patient rally style player. Cuz right now it seems like he is running after every shot
If Kodai Naraoka keeps injury free, and keeps improving, I think he will be a top 2 player in the world. Right now, I wouldn't say he is a top 2 player in the world yet. But he is getting closer. As of the way he has been playing lately, he is definitely a top 10 world player and top 7 world player, maybe even top 5 world player. Kodai Naraoka reminds me of Viktor when Viktor was in his early twenties. You could see Viktor had the skills and potential to be one of the best player, but he could not win a SS title, coming in second in the finals over and over. When Viktor finally won the SS final in Dubai, that was the turning point and from there, Viktor stepped it up another level and won all the titles that he has up to today. I think Kodai Naraoka is where Viktor was in his early twenties. Kodai Naraoka just needs to keep injury free, and improve his stamina, accuracy, and consistency, and I think Kodai Naraoka will soon be winning many titles.
I know this is a little OT, but can you people finally decide what the "turning point" for Viktor was? Because I'm constantly reading it was the second disappearance of Momota, not the first one, after which Viktor Axelsen apparently transformed into Captain America. In the full two years between the '17 WTF in Dubai and Momota's accident in 2020, Axelsen won a rather underwhelming 3 tournaments: Malaysia 500, Spain 300 and India 500. Axelsen didn't have to face Momota for any of those titles but had a 0-8 record against him, lost a couple of times to CL and LCW as well (you know, proper world class players). So if I were telling your story, I'd put the beginning of the Axelsen transformation arc at the start of the second Momota crisis. Much more convincing that way.
I'm sure Kodai will settle in and have a more mature playstyle. I just hope it is in the good direction. Right now he can play the patient game and the attacking game. He should just vary his game within the same it would be extremely destabilising for opponents. Unfortunately he is too tired to play a good match against Axelsen. But maybe if he attempts a Momota ultra defense style he can have a chance but it is a monumental task.
yes and here is the list of head to head between Axelsen and Momota : https://allaboutbadminton.com/axelsen-vs-momota-h2h-stats/ this is even 13-0 for Momota before the tragic accident in Malaysia if you are interested in, the Dubaï World Superseries Finals 2015 between the two before the Momota's suspension of 2016 : the Momota's last victory at the Malaysia Masters 2020 (the day before the accident) : and the Malaysia Open in Juy 2022, 21-4, 21-7 for Axelsen :
He had to go through a series of tough opponents. While Axelsen had a walk in the park. I'm glad he is in the finals though.
I think he just showed to everyone yesterday that he doesn't mind to go for a grinding contest (and he has the endurance, patience, mindset, strategy, and technical skill), going for rally when needed, for example when he is against a very fine control player like Kunlavut, and only attack efficiently when the opportunity arise
India Open first round just showed how taxing it is on Kodais body after playing 3 set games from first round to finals last week in the Malaysia open. His hustle gamestyle is just too exhausting for him to play week by week comps It seems like Kodais game against the much faster Loh Kean Yew was too much for the exhausted Kodai to play his usual hustle game style.
