Japanese badminton prospect Tomoka Miyazaki defeated teammate Manami Suizu 2-0 in the women’s singles opening round of the BWF World Tour Kumamoto Masters Japan on November 11.
The 20-year-old’s victory at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium places her in the second round of the Super 500 event, where she is seeking her first career title at this level.
The tournament is being held without South Korean star An Se-young, a development that has opened the field for contenders like Miyazaki. She acknowledged the pressure of facing a teammate during the opening match, telling local media that she felt nervous but maintained control from the first game.
While Miyazaki secured the win, she noted lapses in focus during the latter stages of the match. She successfully suppressed her opponent’s scoring until the 11-point mark, but admitted that her pace dropped and she became overly cautious as the match progressed.
Kumamoto Masters Japan 2026 WS – R32 21 21 🇯🇵Tomoka MIYAZAKI🥇 18 11 🇯🇵Manami SUIZU 🕚 in 41 minutes
Miyazaki also assessed the conditions inside the arena, which she described as warmer than previous venues. While she had anticipated the shuttlecock might feel heavier, she found that the smash speed remained fast, allowing her to execute her preferred style of play.
This tournament serves as a critical test for Miyazaki, who withdrew from the Denmark Open in October due to an injury concern. She withdrew before her scheduled match against Nozomi Okuhara to prevent muscle damage, followed by a week of rest and a return to training in late October.
With her physical condition now stabilized, she is aiming to capitalize on the opportunity presented by the current tournament bracket. “I haven’t captured a title yet, and I have a strong desire to win,” Miyazaki said. “From here on, I will be conscious of the Super 500 status and strive to make winning my goal.”
The absence of top-ranked players like An has changed the competition in Kumamoto, creating a clearer path for rising talent. Miyazaki’s performance in the coming rounds will determine if she can secure the first major tournament victory of her professional career on home soil.
The Kumamoto Masters Japan continues through the week, with the next round of women’s singles matches scheduled to determine the quarterfinalists.
