Momota Will Miss Viktor Axelsen and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting

Kento Momota will end his international career in the 2024 Thomas and Uber Cup. He will miss several competitors

AFP/KAZUHIRO NOGI

Japanese badminton player, Kento Momota (29), attended a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday (April 18, 2024). In the event, Momota announced his retirement as a badminton athlete. His career will end at the Thomas and Uber Cup tournament in Chengdu, China on April 27-May 5, 2024.

Japanese men's singles badminton player, Kento Momota, is in the spotlight ahead of the start of the Thomas and Uber Cup in Chengdu, China, on April 27 until May 5. Momota, one of the world's best men's singles players, will end his career in the international badminton arena at the men's and women's team championships.

Momota announced his retirement from international arena last week through a press conference in Japan. The 29-year-old player stated that his life and feelings have changed after a car accident in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in January 2020, after winning the Malaysia Masters tournament. The accident occurred on the way to the Kuala Lumpur airport.

This is my last moment to play against the world's top players. I will enjoy it and try to give my best.

The accident forced Momota to undergo surgery on his eyes. Meanwhile, the driver who was driving the car died.

After that moment, Momota recounted that he went through a difficult period trying to return to his condition before the accident. He eventually realized that he would not be able to revert back to his best performance.

Also read: Momota Doesn't Want to Dissolve in Failure

AFP/KAZUHIRO NOGI

Japanese badminton player, Kento Momota (29), flashed a smile as he attended a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday (18/4/2024). Momota announced his retirement as a badminton athlete.

At his best moment, Momota became the world champion in 2018 and 2019. He has four BWF Super Series titles and 16 titles from BWF World Tour events. He was also part of the Japanese team that won the Thomas Cup in 2014 in New Delhi, India.

The title of the first (and current) Thomas Cup championship for Japan was earned after defeating Malaysia 3-2 in the final. Momota held the status of second singles player, following Kenichi Tago, and contributed to the victory in the final. Momota was also part of the Japanese team in the 2018, 2020 and 2022 Thomas Cup.

Momota did not participate in the 2016 Thomas and Uber Cup due to serving a sentence from the Japanese Badminton Association related to illegal gambling at a casino in Japan. As a result of this sanction, he was also unable to compete in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

That was part of Momota's bad moment. However, he used his punishment time for a positive thing. In the midst of his participation in the Indonesia Open tournament a few years ago, Momota told that he trained harder during his sanction. He wanted to prove that the scoring penalty was not the end of his career.

Also read: Men's Singles Competition Remains Tight Even Without Momota

AFP/KAZUHIRO NOGI

Japanese badminton player Kento Momota (29) announced his retirement as a badminton athlete in a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday (18/4/2024).

After that, Momota showed his comeback. He won 13 BWF World Tour tournaments in addition to the World Championship in 2018 and 2019. Momota dominated the competition in men's singles at that time.

However, after having difficulty returning to those times, Momota decided to retire. To the mass media in Japan, including the Japan Times, he said he would only take part in the national level championship after the 2024 Thomas and Uber Cup, which was his last stage in the international arena.

"This is my last chance to compete against the world's top players. I will enjoy it and try to give my best performance," Momota said in Chengdu on Friday (April 26, 2024), as stated on the BWF official website.

"I feel a little sad because I can't compete against top players anymore. Since this is my last tournament, I will meet them and ask to take a photo together," he continued.

Also read: Kento Momota: I Feel Weak

AP/TATAN SYUFLANA

Kento Momota (Japan) attempted to hit the shuttlecock while facing Ng Ka Long Angus (Hong Kong) in the round of 32 at the Indonesia Open Tournament, sponsored by Kapal Api Indonesia Group, at Istora Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, on Tuesday (June 13, 2023). Momota announced his retirement as a badminton athlete at the age of 29 in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday (April 18, 2024).

One of those who was photographed together in Chengdu was men's singles number one in the world, Viktor Axelsen. The Danish player uploaded the photo on his social media account.

"Congratulations on retiring from the international arena and for your fantastic career. Can we play some warm-up matches so that I can improve our meeting statistics?" said Axelsen.

Axelsen is one of the players that Momota mentioned he would miss dearly. They have met 17 times and Momota has won 14 times.

Apart from that, Momota also mentioned the Indonesian men's singles, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. Their intense competition every time they meet has earned them the nickname "Momogi" from Indonesian badminton fans.

Also read: Momota Positive for Covid-19, Japanese Athlete Cancels Appearance in Thailand

AP/ACHMAD IBRAHIM

Kento Momota competes against Shi Yu Qi in the Indonesia Masters tournament match at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, 25 January 2023.

"Axelsen and I come from the same generation, while Ginting and I always play in difficult matches every time we meet," Momota said explaining the reason for mentioning his two rivals.

However, Momota will not be able to face Axelsen or Anthony if Japan faces Denmark or Indonesia. This is because Momota is ranked third in Japan's singles rank, while Axelsen and Anthony are ranked first. Momota's world ranking is below his three teammates, namely Kodai Naraoka, Kenta Nishimoto, and Koki Watanabe.

"The third single position is the most important because it determines the outcome. Therefore, the mental strength of the third single player must be very strong. Of course, I want to bring Japan to victory in this final international tournament for me," he said.

Although he will no longer compete in the international arena, Momota will not leave the badminton court. He aims to become an inspiration for young players in Japan and plans to play with junior players and children.

Also read: This time, Gregoria lost to Sindhu

IGNATIUS DANU KUSWORO

Kento Momota returned the shuttlecock while playing against Heo Kwang-hee (South Korea) in the preliminary round of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza on July 28, 2021.

So, how does Momota want to be remembered after he retires?

"I want to be remembered by others as my true self, for my badminton skills and playing style. So, everyone can remember me as Kento Momota," he answered.

Kento Momota

Born: September 1, 1994

Win-loss statistics: 393-115

Highest world ranking: 1

Current ranking: 52

Champion titles (including):

- World Champion 2018, 2019

- 2014 Thomas Cup

- Indonesia Open 2015, 2018

- Japan Open 2018, 2019

- All England 2019

- China Open 2019

- BWF Finals 2015, 2019