At a press conference in Tokyo, former badminton world champion Kento Momota announced his retirement from playing for the Japanese national team. The 29-year-old stated that he would represent Japan for the last time at the upcoming Thomas Cup international team competition in Chengdu, China. Momota made history in 2018 by becoming the first Japanese man to win a world championship, and he successfully defended his title the following year.
Unfortunately, a recent series of injuries has dashed Momota’s hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics. As a result, he has made the difficult decision to step back from international competition. Despite his retirement from the national team, 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.