Kento Momota Announces Retirement from Japan National Team
by Hong Yuan
Apr 17, 2024
at 2:45 PM
Badminton fans around the world were dealt a blow today with the news that former World No. 1 Kento Momota will be retiring from international competition. The 29-year-old Japanese player announced at a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday, April 18th.
Momota's illustrious career includes two World Championship titles and a stint at the top of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings. While a serious injury in early 2020 significantly impacted his performance, Momota expressed his gratitude for his time with the national team.
"I've realized I can no longer get back to the point where I'm aiming to be No. 1 in the world again," Momota said.
"I had a very fulfilling career playing for the national team. Now I want to be involved in helping all kinds of people find enjoyment in sports."
Kento Momota is a Japanese badminton player who has dominated the sport for a significant portion of his career. Here's a quick introduction:
Born on September 1, 1994, Momota's badminton journey began in elementary school, where he secured his first title in the All Japan Elementary School Championship.
Nicknamed "Momota the Monster" for his aggressive playing style, he's achieved incredible feats including:
Two World Championship titles
Two Asian Championship titles
One All England title
A Guinness World Record for "The most badminton men's singles titles in a season" (11 titles in 2019)
The Thomas Cup Finals in Chengdu, China, scheduled for later this month (April 27th - May 5th), will be Momota's final tournament representing Japan. This international competition will mark a bittersweet end to a remarkable career for the badminton star.
