Tokyo: The 2024 Japan Open, starting on August 20, will mark the final appearance of the Japanese mixed doubles pair Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino as a pair. After this tournament, the two will part ways.
Watanabe and Higashino, who have claimed bronze medals in two consecutive Olympic Games, announced this surprising news following their return from the 20204 Paris Olympics, where Watanabe also shared the shocking announcement of his marriage.
On Friday, Watanabe took to social media to reveal that next week’s Japan Open will be the last time the duo competes together after 13 years of partnership.
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Watanabe (27) wrote on Instagram: “Thank you all for your warm support and encouragement throughout the years. We want to inform everyone that the Japan Open, starting on August 20th (Tuesday), will be our last tournament together.
We have been partners for 13 years, and during this time, we’ve grown together. We’ve experienced everything on the badminton court, from victories to defeats, and shared both joy and sadness.
For all those who have supported and encouraged us over the years, the achievements and growth we’ve made are due to the strength you’ve given us. Thank you.
I hope to continue participating in competitions as a player and contribute to badminton in some way. I’ll strive to be a role model and encourage young people to choose badminton among many other sports options.
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the coaches, staff, sponsors, and everyone who supported us. Thank you. We look forward to your continued guidance and support.
Lastly, we hope to see you all at the Japan Open! We hope you can come and support us. See you at Yokohama Arena!”
The “Watanabe-Higashino” pair has claimed bronze at two consecutive Olympics and has won 2 silver and 2 bronze medals at the World Championships. Since the BWF World Tour started in 2018, the pair has secured 11 BWF World Tour titles and 10 runners-up, including three All England Championships (2018, 2021, and 2022), last year’s Japan Open, and this year’s Malaysia Open.
According to the Japanese media outlet THE ANSWER, after the split, Yuta Watanabe will continue competing in mixed doubles, while Arisa Higashino will switch her focus to women’s doubles.
