Badminton star Kento Momota has announced his retirement from the Japanese national team at the age of 29. The former world champion made this announcement at a press conference in Tokyo, where he also stated that he would be representing Japan one last time at the Thomas Cup international team competition in Chengdu, China later this month.
Throughout his career, Momota achieved great success in badminton, winning a record 11 singles titles in the 2019 season. However, his journey was not without controversy and tragedy. In 2016, he was suspended for gambling at illegal casinos which prevented him from competing for a medal at the Rio Olympics. In early 2020, Momota was involved in a car crash that claimed the life of the driver of the van he was traveling in. Despite these setbacks, Momota continued to compete and won another title in November 2021 after a year-long drought following the accident.
At the height of his career, Momota was a dominant force in badminton and an inspiration to many. His decision to retire from international competition marks the end of an era for badminton and Japan’s national team. However, Momota expressed his desire to continue playing domestically in the national championships and professional S/J League as he transitions to the next phase of his career.
Momotas legacy will live on as one of Japan’s greatest badminton players, with two world championship titles under his belt. He will always be remembered as a pioneer who opened up new possibilities for Japanese athletes on a global stage.
In conclusion, Kento Momotas retirement from playing for Japan’s national badminton team is a significant moment not only for him but also for Japanese sports fans around the world. His achievements will continue to inspire future generations of athletes to strive for excellence and push themselves beyond their limits.