WORLDS 2015 Day 2 – Tago out early

Former world #3 Kenichi Tago of Japan, fell at the first hurdle of the 2015 BWF World Championships, losing to Poland’s Michal Rogalski.

By Don Hearn, Badzine Correspondent live in Jakarta.  Photos: Badmintonphoto (live)

It was just over a year ago that Japan’s Kenichi Tago (pictured) was in Jakarta, coming up short in the 7^th Superseries final of his career.  How the mighty have fallen!

Tago, who has not progressed past the quarter-final stage in any event since the week after that 2014 Indonesia Open, has seen his ranking slip to #39.  Then today, he was dumped from the World Championships in straight games by world #84 Michal Rogalski (pictured below) of Poland.

“I wouldn’t say my match was great but I think this is certainly the best result of my career,” said Rogalski afterward.  “I’ve never won against a player like him, who’s been on the top of the world ranking.

“I think…I know, that he is not in good shape, his best shape so I’m happy, but I know that it was tough for him to play.

“The first period of my preparation was in Germany and then I returned to Poland and prepared for 3 weeks.  In Germany, I was sparring with the national team there.

“My secret for this win was patience.  He made many mistakes.  He didn’t move so well so I was patient, kept the shuttle in control, and waited for the opportunity to attack.  When I attack, I usually win.

“I’m preparing to go to Rio in 2016 so I get 3000 points so it’s a lot.  I’m really happy that I will get them.  Right now, I’m looking forward to the second round.  I think I’ll be playing Hu Yun from Hong Kong but he hasn’t won yet so I’m waiting for the result.”

Hu Yun did indeed succeed in winning his first round match, beating Rosario Maddaloni of Italy in straight games.

The player one spot ahead of Rogalski in the world rankings, #83 Toby Penty (pictured) of England, perpetrated what is really an even bigger upset when he beat #31 Brice Leverdez of France.  Penty now faces the winner between China’s Wang Zhengming and Henri Hurskainen of Sweden.

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