All England Open start delayed after positive Kovid test

Officials said the start of Badminton’s prestigious All England Open Championship was delayed for several hours following several positive and “inconclusive” COVID-19 exam results. The Super 1000 tournament, featuring Japan’s return to the circuit of the world’s number one Kento Momota after being injured in a fatal car accident last year, will begin at 2 pm (1400 GMT) on Wednesday instead of 9 am (1400 GMT). “Badminton World Federation and Badminton England can confirm that a significant number of Kovid-19 tests conducted for teams participating in the All England Championships were considered ‘inconclusive’ and, as a result, the samples will be reunited , “Said BWF.

“The BWF can also confirm that a small number of positive tests were recorded and that, in agreement with Public Health England, these cases will be withdrawn. These cases will continue to be self-segregated until they are retired. is done.”

Officials said they would “continue to implement all the testing protocols required by the UK Government and Public Health England to ensure the health and safety of all participants”.

The All England Open was the last event on the BWF calendar played last year before the game was called off due to a coronovirus epidemic.

International competition resumed in Denmark in October, but was suspended again until January, when three tournaments, including the World Tour Finals, were staged in a biosure “bubble” in Thailand.

World champion Momota is playing his first international tournament since his driver’s death shattered his eye socket in an accident following a victory at the Malaysia Masters in January 2020.

The 26-year-old is facing a battle to regain form and fitness ahead of this year’s reconstructed Tokyo Olympics after being away from the tour for over a year.

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He missed a return to Thailand after testing positive for Kovid-19, which led to the Japanese squad dropping out of Bangkok events.

Not counting towards Olympic qualification, players from China, South Korea and Taiwan had already opted not to travel due to the virus ban, while women’s Olympic champion Spain’s Carolina Marin has returned due to an injury.