From World Champion to Retired Athlete: Kento Momota’s Journey in Badminton

Kento Momota, the 29-year-old badminton world champion from Japan, announced his retirement from playing for the national team at a press conference in Tokyo. Despite his recent series of injuries, Momota had expressed his intention to represent Japan once again at the upcoming Thomas Cup international team competition in Chengdu, China. However, due to his inability to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, he has made the difficult decision to step back from international competition.

In 2018, Momota made history by becoming the first Japanese man to win a world championship. He successfully defended his title the following year. Unfortunately, a recent series of injuries has dashed his hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite this setback, Momota expressed his intention to continue playing domestically in the national championships and the professional S/J League.

Momota’s announcement marks the end of an era for Japanese badminton fans who have followed his illustrious career. With his impressive achievements and dedication to the sport, Momota has left a lasting impact on the world of badminton. Although he will no longer be competing at the international level, his presence in domestic competitions will continue to inspire aspiring athletes in Japan.