Kento Momota, el «badminton samurai»Is one of the greats of Japanese badminton. It is the current number 1 in the BWF world rankings and still has a long way to go to continue and reap successes. Next, let’s get to know in more detail Kento’s personal life, his family, his career, his accident and his main triumphs.
Like all mortals, Kento’s life was not alien to tragedy. After being in a car accident, Momota considered giving up his career entirely. However, the encouraging words of his family, friends and followers kept him going.
Where is Kento Momota from? Early life, education and family
Kento Momota was born on September 1, 1994 in Mino, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. Of Japanese parents, Kento is the son of the famous Nobuhiro Momota and Michiyo Momota.
From the beginning, Momota was considered a truly gifted badminton player, revealing his enormous talent from the youth categories. He used to practice badminton with his parents when he was still in the second grade of elementary school. Not to mention that little Momota won the title of Japan Elementary School Champion during his elementary level. This was the first achievement of his life.
Kento attended high school in Fukuoka Prefecture. Again, at his junior level, he won the Japan Junior High School Championship. After graduating from Fukuoka High School, Momota began her professional career in badminton.
Career
To this day, in September 2021, Momota is number one in the world ranking. As a left-handed player, Kento is popularly known for his explosive movements on the court.
Although Momota’s career began in her childhood, she gained popularity in badminton only after competing in the 2011 Junior World Championships, held in Taiwan, where she was awarded the bronze medal.
Later, at the end of 2011, in the same tournament in Japan, Kento Momota lost the final match. He was defeated by the All Japan Badminton Championship champion, Kenichi Tago. However, his talent was appreciated by the Japan Badminton Association. Subsequently, Kento joined the Japanese team and began playing for the national team in various championships.
After his defeat in 2011, Kento overcame by winning the 2012 Asian Youth Championship, defeating Malaysian Soong Joo Ven in straight sets. Later that year, Kento took the Junior World Championship after defeating the Chinese representative, Xue Song.
In 2013, Kento Momota officially joined the badminton club of NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation). After that, he began participating in youth competitions and excelled in various supersets throughout 2013.
In 2014, Kento won the Thomas Cup and took the Singapore Open a year later. After winning the title, he became the first Japanese player to triumph in a men’s individual Super Series.
Also, Momota made history at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Championship held in Jakarta (2015) by winning bronze in the men’s individual category. Despite not reaching the final, he became the first Japanese player to win a medal at the prestigious tournament. Also that same year, Momota won the final of the BWF World Superseries in Dubai. The following year, he competed in the Asian Team Championships, held in Hyderabad.
Unfortunately, 2016 was not a fruitful year for Kento. The Japan Badminton Association (NBA) sanctioned him for almost a year four months before the Rio Olympics. The NBA suspended Momota after confessing to a gambling scandal, in which he visited an illegal casino.
Main achievements and Guinness Record
After almost a year of suspension, Kento Momota returned to the national team in 2017. In his badminton career, he had won several championships and titles. In addition, he inscribed his name in the Guinness Book of Records for «Most badminton men’s singles titles in one season«, By winning 11 titles in the individual modality in 2019.
However, due to his casualties, the skilled badminton player could not participate in the All England Open 2018. However, he prevailed in the 2018 Asian Championships held in Wuhan (China) after beating Shi Yuqi.
Momota’s career triumph continued with four BWF titles, the Indonesian Open, the Japan Open, the Danish Open and the Fuzhou China Open. Consequently, Kento became the first Japanese individual badminton player to occupy the No. 1 spot on the BWF world rankings in September.
In 2019, Kento Momota won his first title of the season after winning the German Open, a Super 300 tournament. Also, in the All England Open championship, Kento beat Viktor Axelsen and became the first Japanese to win the title. from the All England Open.
After defeating Shi Yuqi in three games in April, Momota won her second Asian Championship title in Wuhan. Kento also won the Singapore and Japan Open titles. During the 2019 season, he won his 11th title of the year by triumphing at the World Tour Finals beating Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.
As the world’s No. 1 in men’s singles, Kento began his 2020 season by competing in the Malaysian Masters as the first seed. Defeated Kashyap Parupalli and HS Prannoy of India in the first and second rounds in the two matches in a row. Finally, he defeated the Danish Viktor Axelsen, obtaining the title.
He participated in the Tokyo Olympics, but had a bitter result. He was eliminated when he fell in the group stage against South Korean Heo Kwang-hee and with no chances of a medal.
Personal life
Aside from her net worth, Momota also benefits greatly from endorsement and sponsorship deals with various brands. In addition, he is an ambassador for the Herbalife nutrition company.
When it comes to love affairs, Momota has been kept a secret. Added to that there are no rumors that he is dating ladies or having a wife. This shows that, as an athlete and competitor, Momota seems to focus more on his professional life and his love life. Therefore, for now we can say that at 26, Kento Momota is single and has not married.
An accident that almost changed his life
After winning his first title of the 2020 season at the Malaysian Masters, Momota was preparing to leave for the administrative capital of Putrajaya, without waiting for the terrible thing that would happen to him.
Kento was injured in a vehicle collision before dawn. The incident occurred around 4:40 a.m. Monday in Malaysia. According to the local fire and rescue department, the rental van the athlete was in collided with the back of a 30-ton truck.
And according to the report, the truck was traveling at low speed. In the accident, Momota, along with three other badminton players, were slightly injured. However, the 24-year-old driver of the van, Bavan Nageswarau, was killed on the spot in the accident at around 4:45 a.m.
Consequently, the fatal accident prevented Momota from participating in the Kuala Lampur Open. He would return to the ring at the Tokyo Olympics, but was eliminated by losing to South Korean badminton player Heo Kwang-Hee 15-21 and 19-21 on July 28, 2021.
Frequent questions:
What hand does Kento Momota play with, the left or the right?
Kento Momota is left-handed. Play with your left hand.
When did Momota start playing badminton?
Kento Momota started playing badminton when he was in the first grade of elementary school. Then he participated in the Japan Primary School Championship.
What badminton racket does Kento Momota use?
Kento Momota is currently using the Yonex Astrox 99 racquet as he believes this racquet fits his style of play.
What was the reason for Kento Momota’s ban in 2016?
Kento Momota admitted that he visited an illegal casino in Tokyo. And for this reason, the Japan Badminton Association sanctioned him four months before the Rio Olympics.
How did Kento Momota get injured?
Kento Momota, the world’s top-ranked Japanese badminton player, was injured when the van he had rented rear-ended with the truck at the Malaysian airport on January 13, 2020, after claiming a victory at the Malaysian Masters.
Did the accident affect Kento playing badminton?
Yes. World champion Kento Momota suffered a fatal accident and had to undergo eye surgery. Therefore, he had to stop playing badminton for a few months.
Has Kento Momota won the Olympic gold medal?
No, Kento Momota has not won any Olympic gold medals to date.
Is Kento Momota in the Guinness World Record?
Kento Momota is in the Guinness Book of Records for “Most Badminton Men’s Singles Titles in One Season”, following his achievements of winning 11 titles in the 2019 season.
Who is Kento Momota’s coach in Malaysia?
Izuan Ibrahim is Kento Momota’s Malaysian coach. He helped and trained Kento during his youth. He considers him one of the best coaches.
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