Dhaka, Nov. 17 -- Japan's Kodai Naraoka won his first badminton title in two years after battling past countryman Kenta Nishimoto 21-11, 10-21, 21-15 in the Kumamoto Masters final on Sunday.

Naraoka, the world number 10, claimed his first piece of silverware since the China Open in November 2023 after coming through a tough scrap in western Japan.

He took the first game in little time but world number 13 Nishimoto hit straight back to level the match.

Naraoka eventually prevailed after a third-game slugfest, increasing his chances of qualifying for the season-ending World Tour Finals.

Thailand's world number one Kunlavut Vitidsarn was scheduled to play at the Kumamoto Masters but withdrew before the competition began.

His compatriot ...