Once hailed as a badminton prodigy, Kento Momota faced challenges from ill-fated friendships and a tragic car accident. He plans to officially retire in February, following the conclusion of Japan’s S/J League. After his retirement, he is set to become a coach for the NTT East Japan badminton team.
The Thomas Cup in May marked Momota‘s farewell to international tournaments. He is now fully focused on domestic competitions in Japan, with the S/J League, which started on November 2, running until February next year. This league will mark the end of Momota‘s professional career.
Momota‘s father, Nobuhiro Momota, wanted his son to become “the strongest person in the world,” naming him after Clark Kent, Superman’s alter ego in American DC comics. In Japanese, “Kent” is pronounced as “Kento,” symbolizing his father’s aspirations. Momota has indeed led Japan to the peak of international badminton.
However, Kento Momota‘s career has been full of ups and downs. He achieved tremendous success, becoming the first Japanese men’s singles player to win the World Championships and reach world number one in 2018. His peak year was 2019, where he competed in 73 matches, winning 67 with only 6 losses—a remarkable win rate of 91.8%. That year, he claimed 11 titles, setting a Guinness World Record. His achievements included two Super 1000 tournaments: the All England Open and the China Open, as well as the BWF World Tour Finals. He also made history as the first Japanese men’s singles champion in the 121-year history of the All England Open.
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