Source: KYODO/LUDVIG THUNMAN
[Saba Sports News] Japanese female player Arisa Higashino, who won a bronze medal in mixed doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has teamed up with Ayako Sakuramoto for women’s doubles after the Olympics. This pair was set to participate in the Denmark Open on October 15; however, due to an administrative error by the Japan Badminton Association, they were not registered for the event. After missing the registration deadline, Higashino took to social media to criticize the association. In response, the Japan Badminton Association stated that for overseas events after the Paris Olympics, there will be various dispatch methods including traditional association dispatches and joint dispatches with affiliated teams. They will review their processes to ensure strict adherence to registration procedures and rules to prevent future errors. Some fans pointed out that this is not the first time; last July, due to a registration oversight, Japan’s top female player Ayako Ohori was unable to participate in the Canada Open due to visa issues. It is speculated that similar problems occurred this time as well since Higashino married former Japanese men’s singles player Yu Igarashi after the Olympics and decided to compete under her married name “Arisa Igarashi.”