Yudai Okimoto Announces Himself to the World
First, it was the Canada Open, then the Taipei Open. Yudai Okimoto has caught my eye, and it is not the fact that he won those 2 tournaments. It is his attitude to the game, and how he refuses to be beaten. This attutude will take him far. Let’s discuss.
US Open 2026
Yudai Okimoto’s string of impressive run started with the US Open. He lost in the semi-final to Srikanth Kidambi, while taking Srikanth to the rubber game. It was a closely fought match, with Srikanth taking it 22-20, 15-21, 21-19. Okimoto lost out to a much more experienced Srikanth, and it was a lesson well learnt for Okimoto.
In the first game between Okimoto and Srikanth, Srikanth raced to a 7 point lead at 16 – 9. The fact that Okimoto came back and took the lead 20 – 19 was extremely impressive. Okimoto dug deep and played his way back to take the lead, but Srikanth used his experience to compose himself and won 3 successive points to wrap up game 1.
In game 2, it was a close fight all the way until 11-11. That was when Okimoto raced forward to win it 21-15. Srikanth recognised that he could not win this game and decided to conserve energy for the 3rd game.
Srikanth started the 3rd game with aplomb and took and early 3 point lead which he extended to 5 points with the score at 10-5. Okimoto fought back to make it 11-9 when they swapped sides. The Okimoto raced to take the lead at 12- 13. Srikanth the put in the work to take the lead again and make it 18 -13. But Okimoto came back to make it 18-18. After that, Srikanth inched to a 21-19 win.
Okimoto showed his mental resilience by not giving up, and finding a way to fight back and make the score level many times throughout this match.
Canada Open
The highlight of this tournament is the semi final match between Okimoto and Victor Lai.
In game 1, both players were effecting keeping up with each other until 15 – 15. Then Victor Lai started to attack more, and took the game 21 – 15.
In game 2, Victor Lai continued where he left in game 1 and raced to a 7 – 2 lead. Okimoto then started his fightback and went on to take the lead at 7 – 8. Victor Lai pushed and attacked to make it 8 -8, but could not stop Okimoto as Okimoto build up his lead to 8 – 13. Okimoto kept his lead and took the game 21 – 16.
In game 2, Okimoto broke Victor Lai. As much as Victor Lai attacked, Okimoto managed to return all his shots. And in game 3, Victor Lai was struggling physically, and he was clutching his left knee. Okimoto took the opportunity with both hand and never surrendered the lead, taking game 3, 11 – 21.
Victor Lai’s game is based on speed. He returns everything his opponent sends and moves the shuttle faster and faster. Okimoto managed to keep up with Victor Lai for most of game 1, forcing Victor Lai to increase his speed to keep the pressure up. As it worked towards the end of game 1, Victor Lai continued the same approach in game 2. But Okimoto kept fighting back. And eventually, Victor Lai burnt himself out. Okimoto took that opportunity and won the match.
A lot of players usually get frustrated with Victor Lai’s game plan, and many would start doing difficult shots, hoping the shuttle does not come back quickly. This often leads to mistakes on their end. Okimoto kept his cool, and continued to do what he does best. And, it is that mental resilience which won the match.
Japan Open
Okimoto met Shi Yuqi in the first round in the Japan Open, and he seemed to be over awed by Shi Yuqi and lost 15 – 21, 15 – 21. He was practically outclassed by Shi Yuqi and did not put up a fight.
As a player who relies a lot on his defense, Okimoto could not stand up to Shi Yuqi’s potent attacks and lost tamely.
China Open
Okimoto met Jonathan Christie in the first round, and despite losing, he put up a much better fight this time around, losing 17 – 21, 21 – 6, 13 – 21.
In game 1, Okimoto kept up with Christie until 16 – 16. Christie then stepped up the pace and won it 17 – 21.
In game 2, Christie could not control the drift on his side, and he chose to conserve energy and let Okimoto take the game easily 21 – 6.
In game 3, Christie burst back into life and took an early lead, 0 – 3. Okimoto fought back to level it, then took the lead 10 – 7. Christie then found back to level it 10 – 10. Then Christie powered ahead 10 – 14. His strategy to converse his energy was working. Okimoto looked like he was spent and was making a lot of errors. Okimoto lost game 3, 13 – 21.
In this matchup, Okimoto got outplayed by a much more experienced Jonathan Christie. He may have lost, but he managed to keep up with Christie, until game 3. That was when Christie’s experience in conserving energy helped him win it.
Taipei Open 2026
The highlight of the Taipei Open is the semi final between Okimoto and Chou Tien Chen. Chou was tired, coming into this tournament immediately after the win in the China Open. But then again, this is Chou we are talking about here. He is super human.
In game 1, Chou totally outclassed Okimoto. He was bossing Okimoto around and Okimoto lost the game tamely 15 – 21. Chou was never in trouble and led the entire game.
In game 2, Chou continued to boss Okimoto and took an early 4 – 0 lead. Okimoto fought back and leveled it at 11 – 11. From then onward, Okimoto took the lead and at 17 – 15, Chou started to conserve his energy for game 3, and allowed Okimoto to win comfortably 21 – 15.
Game 3 is where Okimoto really announced himself to the world. Both Chou and Okimoto were not willing to let the other get a lead. It was a closely fought match all the way until 15 – 15. Then Chou launched his attacks, hoping to finish off Okimoto. Okimoto trailed Chou 18 – 20. Match point. Chou thought he has won. But Okimoto did not give up. He kept going.
Somehow, Okimoto clawed it back. He had the guts to hunt the net and tap down Chou’s net shot to make it 20 – 20. Okimoto had balls of steel to do that. With that scoreline, I would not have the guts to hunt the net like that. If Chou had flicked Okimoto, it would have been game over. But Okimoto gambled and got his reward. After that, Chou was shocked. Okimoto broke Chou. And the remaining 2 points were won with relative ease, 22 – 20.
Chou was shocked. He could not comprehend how he could have lost that. Leading by 2 points and he was in control. His reaction post match says it all.
Conclusion
Okimoto announced his arrival into the big league in style. This string of tournaments proved that he had arrived. But, will he be a consistent top player?
Okimoto has the attitude, and the footwork. He is very mobile, with a very good defense. However, he lacks stature. He is short. So, he has more ground to cover on court. He also lacks a big smash. Because of that, his attacks are not as potent as it should be. He relies of his coverage and defense to find an opportunity to counter attack. If he had to break down a good defense against a player with equally good coverage, he will struggle.
Okimoto is good. His attitude will get him far. But, he has those few points I mentioned above to fix before he can become a great player.
That’s it for this entry.
Until the next entry, eat well, get plenty of rest and keep the badminton going!
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