Two-time world champion Kento Momota bid farewell to international badminton in a low-key exit as his Japan team suffered a 3-1 defeat to Malaysia in the Thomas and Uber Cup quarterfinals in Chengdu, China. Despite being scheduled to play in the final match, Momota did not even step onto the court.
The 29-year-old badminton star, once hailed as the undisputed king of the sport, had a remarkable 2019 season, winning 11 titles and losing only six out of 73 matches. However, his career took a tragic turn in January 2020 when he was involved in a car accident after winning the Malaysia Masters. The crash left him with a fractured eye socket and he struggled to regain his form upon his return to the court.
Ranked 52 in the world and missing out on a spot at the Paris Olympics, Momota announced his retirement from Japan’s national team after the Thomas and Uber Cup. Following his team’s defeat in Chengdu, he will now focus on domestic competitions in Japan and will not participate in the World Tour.
Despite his setbacks, Momota remains a respected figure in the badminton world, with fans and fellow players acknowledging his talent and contributions to the sport. While his international career may have come to an end, his legacy as a two-time world champion and one of the greatest players of his generation will continue to inspire future generations of badminton players.