Two-time world champion Kento Momota announces retirement from badminton at 29 amid physical and mental toll | Badminton News - Times of India

Source: The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Two-time world champion Kento Momota has announced his retirement from international badminton at the age of 29. Momota's career took a downturn after a serious car accident in 2020, which significantly impacted his performance.

Despite a momentous year in 2019, winning 11 titles, the accident left him with a fractured eye socket and double vision, causing a struggle to return to his peak form.

The Japanese star, once ranked number one globally, has decided to step away from the international scene after representing Japan for the last time at the Thomas Cup in China. Following the Thomas Cup, Momota will continue to play in domestic competitions within Japan but will not participate in the World Tour.

His decision comes after acknowledging the physical and mental toll of attempting to reclaim his status as the world's best. Momota's career has been marked by incredible highs, including a dominant 2019 where he lost only six out of 73 matches. However, the accident and subsequent challenges, including injuries and a drop in rankings, have led to his early retirement.

"I have made this decision because it feels like I have reached my physical and mental limit in trying to get back to being the best in the world," Momota, now ranked 52, said in a statement.

Momota's journey also included a gambling scandal that resulted in a ban from the 2016 Rio Olympics. Despite these setbacks, he managed to end a two-year title drought with a win at the Korea Masters in November last year. He had aspired to compete in the Paris Olympics this summer but did not qualify for Japan's national team due to his ranking.

Kento Momota's retirement marks the end of an era for a player who once stood at the pinnacle of badminton. His departure from the international stage signifies a significant change in the sport, with former rival Viktor Axelsen now leading as the top player. Momota's legacy, however, remains as a testament to his skill and determination in the face of adversity.

(Inputs from AFP)

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.