In a poignant turn of events, Kento Momota, the two-time world badminton champion, has announced his retirement from the international stage at the age of 29. This decision comes after a tumultuous period marked by a severe car crash and subsequent struggles to return to his former glory.

Kento Momota, once the pinnacle of badminton supremacy, has decided to hang up his international racket following a storied career that saw him dominate the sport in 2019. Momota’s reign as the world’s top shuttler was abruptly derailed by a devastating car accident in 2020, which left him with a fractured eye socket and a battle with double vision.

Despite a valiant effort to reclaim his top form, including a surgery and a year-long hiatus, Momota’s comeback was fraught with challenges. His performance at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and subsequent tournaments was hindered by early exits, signaling a stark contrast to his previous dominance where he clinched 11 titles in a single year.

Injuries continued to plague the Japanese star, causing his world ranking to fall sharply as rivals like Viktor Axelsen rose to prominence. Nevertheless, Momota’s resilience shone through when he ended a two-year title drought with a victory at the Korea Masters in November last year.

However, the dream of competing in the Paris Olympics remained elusive due to his national ranking, and Momota has now chosen to conclude his international journey. He will grace the Thomas Cup in China for his final appearance representing Japan.

Momota’s career has been a blend of remarkable highs and notable lows, including a gambling scandal that led to his exclusion from the 2016 Rio Olympics. As he transitions to competing solely in domestic events, the badminton world bids farewell to a player whose talent and tenacity have left an indelible mark on the sport