Kento Momota Explained

Kento Momota
桃田 賢斗
Size:250 px
Country:Japan
Birth Date:1994 9, df=yes
Birth Place:Mino, Kagawa, Japan
Height:1.75 m
Weight:68 kg
Handedness:Left
Coach:Yousuke Nakanishi
Event:Men's singles
Career Record:388 wins, 111 losses
Highest Ranking:1
Date Of Highest Ranking:27 September 2018
Retired:6 May 2024
Bwf Id:39EC811A-3BDF-4E29-93E9-CD1F0BD65990

is a former Japanese badminton player.[1] He has won several major badminton tournaments including two World Championships titles, two Asian Championships titles, and one All England title. Momota has received a Guinness World Records certificate for "The most badminton men's singles titles in a season", for his achievements by winning 11 titles in the 2019 season.[2] He is considered to be one of the greats of badminton.[3] [4]

Early life

Momota was born in Mitoyo, Kagawa Prefecture, and started playing badminton in the second grade of elementary school. When he was in sixth grade he received his first title in the All Japan Elementary School Championship, winning the men's singles category. Momota entered junior high school in Fukushima Prefecture, and during his third year he won the All Japan Junior High School Championship. After graduating from junior high school Momota studied at Tomioka High School in Fukushima prefecture.

Career

2011

Momota's presence was increasingly visible as he took part in a bigger race, the 2011 World Junior Championships held in Taipei, Taiwan. Even though Momota did not make it as a champion, it was a valuable lesson when he lost in the semifinal to the Malaysian Zulfadli Zulkiffli who came out as the 2011 World Junior Champion. Towards the end of 2011, Momota began to compete with his seniors in the All Japan Badminton Championship or 2011 Japan National Championship. Momota lost to Kenichi Tago in the final. Even so, his performance was noticed by the Nippon Badminton Association (NBA). Momota began to join the Japanese national team and was expected to become a future star.

2012

Young Momota continued to learn from his defeats. Momota participated in the 2012 Asian Junior Championships held in Gimcheon, South Korea. Learning from his mistakes in 2011, he avenged his defeat in 2011 by becoming 2012 Asia Junior Champion after defeating Malaysian representatives, Soong Joo Ven in two straight games, 21–13, 22–20. In the same year, Momota also won the World Junior Championships held in Chiba, Japan. Appearing at home, Momota managed to donate gold in public. In the final round, he beat the mainstay of China, Xue Song through a very tight rubber game match. Momota won 21–17, 19–21, 21–19.

2013

The promising Momota prospect attracted the attention of the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation (NTT East), the badminton club of NTT East which finally succeeded in asking for his hand to join. Momota officially joined the club that raised its name since April 2013. NTT East is the largest telecommunications company in Japan. By joining the NTT East club, Momota was ready with the consequences of also working at the company. Momota who was then 19 years old had begun to learn to manage time management in such a way. He began to get used to dividing his time to work, practicing on the Japanese national team, and being active in his club.

In 2013, Momota who started the youth competition was sent to the International Challenge competition level. Satisfactory results in the International Challenge tournaments in Europe. Momota managed to emerge as champion in Estonia, Sweden and Austria. Momota was immediately forged in a series of Grand Prix/Gold tournaments and even Superseries (Premiers) throughout 2013.

2014

He won all his matches during Japan's maiden Thomas Cup victory in 2014, playing second men's singles behind Kenichi Tago.

2015

In 2015, he became the first Japanese player to win the Singapore Open. By winning that title, he became the first Japanese player to successfully capture a Superseries in the men's singles and currently holds the record as the youngest Superseries champion in that category. In the 2015 Sudirman Cup, he repeated his feat in Thomas Cup to help Japan secure a spot as a runner-up. He once again made history in the 2015 BWF World Championships held in Jakarta. He became the first Japanese player to win a medal in the men's singles of the prestigious tournament. He made it to the semi-finals, before losing to Chen Long in straight sets. Rounding off the year, he won the 2015 BWF World Superseries Finals in Dubai. He competed at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, as well as the 2016 Badminton Asia Team Championships in Hyderabad, India.

2018

Momota returned to the Japanese national team at the end of 2017. However, due to a lack of his points, he was not qualified to play in the 2018 All England Open, a significant Super 1000 tournament which was held in March.[5] On 28 April, he won the 2018 Asian Championships which was held in Wuhan, after defeating Chen Long of China in the finals with a score of 21–17, 21–13.

On 5 August, he won the World Championships title in Nanjing, China after beating Shi Yuqi from China in the finals with a score of 21–11, 21–13. He also won 4 BWF World Tour titles: Indonesia Open, Japan Open, Denmark Open and Fuzhou China Open. Momota became the first Japanese men's singles player to occupy the World number 1 in the BWF World ranking in 27 September.[6]

2019

Momota started the 2019 season by competing at the Malaysia Masters as the first seed, but his pace was stopped by Kenta Nishimoto in the first round.[7] He then reached the final in Indonesia Masters, but losing to Anders Antonsen of Denmark.[8] Momota claimed his first title in 2019, by winning the German Open a Super 300 tournament.[9] In March 2019, he won the All England Open beating Viktor Axelsen from Denmark in the finals in 3 sets with a score of 21–11, 15–21, 21–15, becoming the first Japanese man to win the All England Open title.[10]

In April, Momota won his second Asian Championships title in Wuhan, China beating home favorite Shi Yuqi in three games 12–21, 21–18, 21–8.[11] He also won the Singapore and Japan Open titles. In August, he reclaimed his World Champion title, beating Anders Antonsen 21–9 and 21–3. In doing so, Momota became only the fourth player to win back-to-back titles on a short, all-Chinese list that includes Yang Yang, Lin Dan and Chen Long.[12] After that, he won his first title in China and Korea Opens, also defend his title at Denmark Open and Fuzhou China Open.[13]

Momota closed his stellar 2019 year by winning his 11th title, the World Tour Finals by beating Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 17–21, 21–17, 21–14.[14] Previously in the gala dinner of the same event, he was awarded as the BWF Best Male Player of the Year.[15] He is also nominated as Best Male Athlete by the Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive.[16]

2020

Momota began the 2020 season as the men's singles world number 1. He competed at the Malaysia Masters as the first seeded, defeated Indian's Kashyap Parupalli and H. S. Prannoy in the first and second round with two straight games, later in the quarter-final beating Huang Yuxiang in the rubber games.[17] In the semi-final, he dashed the host nation's hopes by bowing Lee Zii Jia with the score of 21–10, 21–19.[18] Despite not being at his physical best, Momota pulled off a good show to beat the 2017 World Champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark 24–22, 21–11 in the final. He extended his head-to-head record over Axelsen to a whopping 14–1.[19] After winning the Malaysia Masters, Momota was involved in a fatal accident, in which the driver was killed, on the way to the airport. He was reported to suffer a broken nose as well as injuries to his lips and face.[20] However, it was later confirmed by Nippon Badminton Association that he did not have a broken bone anywhere.[21]

2021

In January, Momota tested positive for COVID-19 prior to travelling to Bangkok. As a result, the entire Japanese team withdrew from the three tournaments scheduled to occur that month in Thailand: the Yonex Thailand Open, Toyota Thailand Open, and World Tour Finals.[22] In March, Momota made a comeback to international competition from injury at the All England Open. Seeded first, he was beaten by Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia in the quarter-finals in straight games.[23]

During 2020 Summer Olympics, again playing as top seed, Momota was knocked out in the group stage after losing to the unseeded South Korean Heo Kwang-hee.[24] In September–October, Momota alongside Japanese team competed at the Sudirman Cup in Vantaa, Finland. He helps the team reaching the finals, but Japan was defeated by China 1–3.[25] At the Thomas Cup in Aarhus, Denmark, Momota alongside Japanese team won the bronze medal. The team was defeated by China in the semi-finals with a score of 1–3.[26]

In October, he took part in the Denmark Open and finished in 2nd place to Viktor Axelsen in three games, 22–20, 18–21, and 12–21, in a match lasting an hour and thirty-three minutes.[27]

In November, Momota won his first title since his injury, the Indonesia Masters, defeating Anders Antonsen in straight games (21–17, 21–11) in a seemingly one-sided final.[28]

2022

Momota had a rough start to the 2022 season. Post injury recovery, besides slipping to number 2 on the world rankings, he has not performed up to his pre-injury level. In the opening season, he participated in three tournaments, the All England Open, German Open and the Asia Championships. In the All England Open, he was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Malaysian Lee Zii Jia with score 7–21, 21–13, 11–21.[29] In the German Open, he was knocked out in the first round by his Japanese compatriot Kenta Nishimoto with a score of 21–23, 9–21 in 2 straight sets.[30] At the Asia Championships, he was defeated in 3 games in the first round by Indonesian Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo 21–17, 17–21, 7–21.[31]

In the first round of the Thailand Open, he was eliminated in a tame defeat by Zhao Junpeng, 8–21, 11–21 in straight games.[32]

At the first round of the Indonesia Open, he was knocked out in the first round by the 13th-ranked Rasmus Gemke from Denmark, 19–21, 21–19, 14–21. After the match, Momota stated that he was "disappointed" because he made so many mistakes and that he "would do much more practice to get a better result for the next tournament".[33]

At the Malaysia Open, Momota made it through to his first final since winning the 2021 Indonesia Masters Super 750 event in November. He had received 2 walkovers, one against Kantaphon Wangcharoen and the other being a walkover due to his opponent, Shesar Hiren Rhustavito retiring mid match due to injury. In the final, Momota was trashed by Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen, losing 4–21, 7–21 in just 34 minutes.[34] After the match, Momota told reporters that Axelsen's "level" was higher than he expected, and that despite the loss, he was "very happy to be back here after all the difficult times" he had been through, adding that he "might be getting closer to the answer" that he was looking for.[35] [36]

In the following week, Momota lost in the round of 16 at the Malaysia Masters to compatriot Kanta Tsuneyama, losing 16–21, 15–21 in 50 minutes.[37]

In late August, playing in his home country, Momota took part in the World Championships as the 2nd seed. He was upset by the unseeded Prannoy H. S. in the round of 32, losing 17–21, 16–21 in straight games.[38]

2024

On the 18th April, Momota announced his retirement from the Japanese national team, with the 2024 Thomas Cup being his last international tournament.[39]

Achievements

BWF World Championships

Men's singles

YearVenueOpponentScoreResultRef
2015Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Chen Long9–21, 15–21 Bronze
2018Nanjing Youth Olympic Sports Park, Nanjing, China Shi Yuqi21–11, 21–13 Gold
2019St. Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland Anders Antonsen21–9, 21–3 Gold

Asian Championships

Men's singles

YearVenueOpponentScoreResultRef
2018Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, Wuhan, China Chen Long21–17, 21–13 Gold
2019Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, Wuhan, China Shi Yuqi12–21, 21–18, 21–8 Gold

BWF World Junior Championships

Boys' singles

YearVenueOpponentScoreResult
2011Taoyuan Arena, Taoyuan City, Taipei, Taiwan Zulfadli Zulkiffli18–21, 18–21 Bronze
2012Chiba Port Arena, Chiba, Japan Xue Song21–17, 19–21, 21–19 Gold

Asian Junior Championships

Boys' singles

YearVenueOpponentScoreResult
2011Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium, Lucknow, India Zulfadli Zulkiffli18–21, 19–21 Bronze
2012Gimcheon Indoor Stadium, Gimcheon, South Korea Soong Joo Ven21–13, 22–20 Gold

BWF World Tour (16 titles, 6 runners-up)

The BWF World Tour, which was announced on 19 March 2017 and implemented in 2018,[40] is a series of elite badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The BWF World Tour is divided into levels of World Tour Finals, Super 1000, Super 750, Super 500, Super 300 (part of the HSBC World Tour), and the BWF Tour Super 100.[41]

Men's singles

YearTournamentLevelOpponentScoreResult
2018Malaysia OpenSuper 750 Lee Chong Wei17–21, 21–23 Runner-up
2018Indonesia OpenSuper 1000 Viktor Axelsen21–14, 21–9 Winner
2018Japan OpenSuper 750 Khosit Phetpradab21–14, 21–11 Winner
2018China OpenSuper 100021–23, 19–21 Runner-up
2018Denmark OpenSuper 750 Chou Tien-chen22–20, 16–21, 21–15 Winner
2018Fuzhou China OpenSuper 750 Chou Tien-chen21–13, 11–21, 21–16 Winner
2018BWF World Tour FinalsWorld Tour Finals Shi Yuqi12–21, 11–21 Runner-up
2019Indonesia MastersSuper 500 Anders Antonsen16–21, 21–14, 16–21 Runner-up
2019German OpenSuper 300 Kenta Nishimoto21–10, 21–16 Winner
2019All England OpenSuper 1000 Viktor Axelsen21–11, 15–21, 21–15 Winner
2019Singapore OpenSuper 500 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting10–21, 21–19, 21–13 Winner
2019Japan OpenSuper 750 Jonatan Christie21–16, 21–13 Winner
2019China OpenSuper 1000 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting19–21, 21–17, 21–19 Winner
2019Korea OpenSuper 500 Chou Tien-chen21–19, 21–17 Winner
2019Denmark OpenSuper 750 Chen Long21–14, 21–12 Winner
2019Fuzhou China OpenSuper 750 Chou Tien-chen21–15, 17–21, 21–18 Winner
2019BWF World Tour FinalsWorld Tour Finals Anthony Sinisuka Ginting17–21, 21–17, 21–14 Winner
2020Malaysia MastersSuper 500 Viktor Axelsen24–22, 21–11 Winner
2021Denmark OpenSuper 1000 Viktor Axelsen22–20, 18–21, 12–21 Runner-up
2021Indonesia MastersSuper 750 Anders Antonsen21–17, 21–11 Winner
2022Malaysia OpenSuper 750 Viktor Axelsen4–21, 7–21 Runner-up
2023Korea MastersSuper 300 Koki Watanabe21–16, 21–15 Winner

BWF Superseries (4 titles)

The BWF Superseries, which was launched on 14 December 2006 and implemented in 2007,[42] was a series of elite badminton tournaments, sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). BWF Superseries levels were Superseries and Superseries Premier. A season of Superseries consisted of twelve tournaments around the world that had been introduced since 2011.[43] Successful players were invited to the Superseries Finals, which were held at the end of each year.

Men's singles

YearTournamentOpponentScoreResult
2015Singapore Open Hu Yun21–17, 16–21, 21–15 Winner
2015Indonesia Open Jan Ø. Jørgensen16–21, 21–19, 21–7 Winner
2015Dubai World Superseries Finals Viktor Axelsen21–15, 21–12 Winner
2016India Open Viktor Axelsen21–15, 21–18 Winner

BWF Superseries Finals tournament

BWF Superseries Premier tournament

BWF Superseries tournament

BWF Grand Prix (2 titles, 1 runner-up)

The BWF Grand Prix had two levels, the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Gold. It was a series of badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and played between 2007 and 2017.

Men's singles

YearTournamentOpponentScoreResult
2017Canada Open Kanta Tsuneyama20–22, 21–14, 14–21 Runner-up
2017Dutch Open Yu Igarashi21–10, 21–12 Winner
2017Macau Open Ihsan Maulana Mustofa21–16, 21–10 Winner

BWF Grand Prix Gold tournament

BWF Grand Prix tournament

BWF International Challenge/Series (7 titles)

Men's singles

YearTournamentOpponentScoreResult
2013Estonian International Eetu Heino20–22, 21–15, 21–15 Winner
2013Swedish Masters Eric Pang21–9, 16–21, 21–18 Winner
2013Austrian International Riichi Takeshita21–19, 21–12 Winner
2017Yonex / K&D Graphics International Kevin Cordón21–7, 21–15 Winner
2017Belgian International Lee Cheuk Yiu21–14, 21–18 Winner
2017Czech Open Thomas Rouxel21–8, 21–14 Winner
2018Vietnam International Goh Giap Chin21–9, 21–15 Winner

BWF International Challenge tournament

BWF International Series tournament

Gambling scandal

On 7 April 2016, Momota admitted visiting an illegal casino in Tokyo after casino staff reported him gambling there "frequently". In a board meeting, it was revealed that he gambled away 0.5 million yen during 6 visits to the casino with his teammate, Kenichi Tago, who spent 10 million yen after 60 visits to various casinos.[44] [45] The Nippon Badminton Association secretary general Kinji Zeniya said it would “probably be impossible” for Momota to participate in the Rio 2016 Olympics, with frequent gambling being punishable by law with a prison sentence of up to 3 years.[46] [47] [48] He was banned from playing until late 2017 for this.

Career overview

SinglesPlayedWinsLossesBalance
align=left Total499388111+277
align=left Current year (2024)871+6
DoublesPlayedWinsLossesBalance
align=left Total624-2
align=left Current year (2024)0000

Performance timeline

National team

Team events 2010 2011 2012
Asian Junior Championshipsbgcolor=AFEEEE RRbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=gold G
World Junior Championshipsbgcolor=FFEBCD 5thbgcolor=FFEBCD 5thbgcolor=silver S
Team events 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Ref
Asian ChampionshipsNHbgcolor=silver Sstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFEBCD QFstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=CD7F32 B
Asian Gamesbgcolor=FFEBCD QFNHbgcolor=CD7F32 BNHANH
Thomas Cupbgcolor=gold Gstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=silver Sstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=CD7F32 Bstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=CD7F32 Bstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFEBCD QF
Sudirman Cupstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=silver Sstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=silver Sstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=silver Sstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NH

Individual competitions

Junior level

Event 2010 2011 2012
Asian Junior Championshipsbgcolor=AFEEEE 4Rbgcolor=CD7F32 Bbgcolor=gold G
World Junior Championshipsbgcolor=AFEEEE 3Rbgcolor=CD7F32 Bbgcolor=gold G
Event 2010 2011
Asian Junior Championshipsbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 2R
World Junior ChampionshipsAbgcolor=AFEEEE 3R
Event 2010 2011
Asian Junior ChampionshipsAbgcolor=AFEEEE 2R
World Junior Championshipsbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RA

Senior level

Events 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Ref
Asian Championshipsbgcolor=AFEEEE 3Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 1RAbgcolor=gold Gbgcolor=gold GNHbgcolor=AFEEEE 1R
Asian GamesNHbgcolor=AFEEEE 3RNHbgcolor=AFEEEE 3RNHA
World Championshipsstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=CD7F32 Bstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=gold Gbgcolor=gold Gstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=AFEEEE 2R
Olympic GamesNHNHbgcolor=AFEEEE RRNH
Tournament Best Ref
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2024
align=left Malaysia OpenAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RAbgcolor=D8BFD8 Fbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RNHbgcolor=D8BFD8 FAbgcolor=D8BFD8 F ('18, '22)
align=left India OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=00FF00 WANHAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1RAbgcolor=00FF00 W ('16)
align=left Indonesia MastersAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1RAstyle=color:#ccc NHAbgcolor=D8BFD8 Fbgcolor=00FF00 WAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1RQ1bgcolor=00FF00 W ('21)
align=left German OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 3RAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=00FF00 WNHbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=FFFF00 SFAbgcolor=00FF00 W ('19)
align=left French OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RAbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=FFEBCD QFstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFFF00 SFAbgcolor=FFFF00 SF ('14, '18, '21)
align=left All England OpenAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAbgcolor=00FF00 WAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=AFEEEE 1RAbgcolor=00FF00 W ('19)
align=left Swiss OpenAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAstyle=color:#ccc NHAbgcolor=FFEBCD QF ('18)
Thailand OpenNHANHANH1RA1R ('22)
align=left Malaysia MastersAbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=00FF00 Wstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=00FF00 W ('20)
align=left Singapore OpenAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=00FF00 WAbgcolor=00FF00 WNHAbgcolor=00FF00 W ('15, '19)
align=left Indonesia OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=00FF00 WAbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=00FF00 W ('15, '18)
align=left Australian OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 3Rbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RANHAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=FFEBCD QF ('14)
align=left U.S. OpenAbgcolor=FFFF00 SFANHAbgcolor=FFFF00 SF ('13)
align=left Canada OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 3RAbgcolor=D8BFD8 FANHAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=D8BFD8 F ('17)
align=left Japan OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RAbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=00FF00 WNHbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=00FF00 W ('18, '19)
align=left Korea OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=FFFF00 SFAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=00FF00 WNHAbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=00FF00 W ('19)
align=left Vietnam OpenAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFANHAbgcolor=FFEBCD QF ('12)
align=left Hong Kong OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RAbgcolor=FFFF00 SFNHAbgcolor=FFFF00 SF ('18)
align=left China OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RAbgcolor=D8BFD8 Fbgcolor=00FF00 WNHAbgcolor=00FF00 W ('19)
align=left Denmark OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=D8BFD8 FAbgcolor=00FF00 W ('18, '19)
align=left Korea Mastersbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RANHAbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=00FF00 W ('23)
align=left Japan MastersNHbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=FFEBCD QF ('23)
align=left China MastersAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=00FF00 WNHAbgcolor=00FF00 W ('18, '19)
align=left BWF Superseries /
World Tour Finals
bgcolor=AFEEEE RRbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=D8BFD8 Fbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=AFEEEE RRbgcolor=00FF00 W ('15, '19)
align=left Dutch OpenAbgcolor=00FF00 WAstyle=color:#ccc NHN/Abgcolor=00FF00 W ('17)
align=left Macau OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RAbgcolor=00FF00 WANHbgcolor=00FF00 W ('17)
align=left Year-end ranking901713348111218381
Tournament 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Best Ref

Record against selected opponents

Record against year-end Finals finalists, World Championships semi-finalists, and Olympic quarter-finalists. Accurate as of 7 May 2024.[49]

PlayerMatchesWinLost
Chen Jin1 0 1 -1
Chen Long10 55 0
Du Pengyu2 1 1 0
Lin Dan5 4 1 +3
Shi Yuqi12 6 6 0
Tian Houwei2 1 1 0
Zhao Junpeng1 0 1 -1
Chou Tien-chen16 14 2 +12
Anders Antonsen7 6 1 +5
Viktor Axelsen17 14 3 +11
Jan Ø. Jørgensen8 5 3 +2
Hans-Kristian Vittinghus10 9 1 +8
Rajiv Ouseph2 2 0 +2
Kevin Cordón1 1 0 +1
Parupalli Kashyap5 5 0 +5
Prannoy H.S.8 7 1 +6
PlayerMatchesWinLost
Srikanth Kidambi19 16 3 +13
Lakshya Sen3 2 1 +1
B. Sai Praneeth7 5 2 +3
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting16 11 5 +6
Tommy Sugiarto12 9 3 +6
Sho Sasaki2 1 1 0
Lee Chong Wei42 20
Liew Daren4 4 0 +4
Loh Kean Yew3 2 1+1
Heo Kwang-hee6 4 2 +2
Lee Hyun-il1 1 0 +1
Son Wan-ho11 6 5 +1
Boonsak Ponsana4 3 1 +2
Kunlavut Vitidsarn3 2 1 +1
Kantaphon Wangcharoen3 3 0 +3
Nguyễn Tiến Minh6 3 3 0

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mckirdy . Andrew . 2024-04-18 . Former No. 1 Kento Momota retires from international badminton at 29 . 2024-05-03 . The Japan Times . en.
  2. Web site: Goh . ZK . Momota Kento recognised by Guinness World Records . Olympic Channel . 18 November 2020 . 17 February 2021.
  3. Web site: Kento Momota . courtcrushers . 28 May 2024.
  4. Web site: Banerjee . Uddipta . A Look At Retiring Badminton Legend Kento Momota’s Net Worth, Brand Endorsements And More . augustman . 28 May 2024.
  5. Web site: 全英赛日本队强势崛起 中国衰落印尼丹韩有特点 . Sohu . 12 December 2019 . zh.
  6. Web site: Japan's Kento Momota tops men's singles ranking for the first time . Olympic Channel . 28 September 2019 . 19 December 2019.
  7. Web site: Daniel . Etchells . Top seed Momota sent packing by compatriot Nishimoto in first round of BWF Malaysia Masters . Inside the Games . 16 January 2019 . 21 October 2019.
  8. Web site: Liam . Morgan . Antonsen stuns world champion Momota to clinch first major title at BWF Indonesia Masters . Inside the Games . 27 January 2019 . 21 October 2019.
  9. Web site: Badminton: Momota, Yamaguchi win as Japan dominates German Open . Kyodo News . 4 March 2019 . 21 October 2019.
  10. Web site: Kento Momota wins historic first All England Open title . Japan Times . 11 March 2019 . 21 October 2019.
  11. Web site: Momota hails 'new badminton generation' after Japan double . Yahoo! . 28 April 2019 . 21 October 2019.
  12. Web site: Sanjeev . Palar . Unbeatable Kento Momota and superb PV Sindhu clinch 2019 Badminton World Championships crown . Olympic Channel . 25 August 2019 . 21 October 2019.
  13. Web site: Daniel . Etchells . Momota and Tai seal defence of titles at BWF Denmark Open . Inside the Games . 20 October 2019 . 21 October 2019.
  14. Web site: Sanjeev . Palar . Kento Momota wins 11th title of 2019 as Chen Yufei takes women's crown at World Tour Finals . Olympic Channel . 15 December 2019 . 19 December 2019.
  15. Web site: World No. 1 Kento Momota named BWF Player of the Year . Japan Times . 10 December 2019 . 21 December 2019.
  16. Web site: Vote for the champions 2019: poll now open . AIPS Media . 25 November 2019 . 21 December 2019.
  17. Web site: Kento Momota advances to Malaysia Masters semis . Japan Times . 11 January 2020 . 14 January 2020.
  18. Web site: Momota to face Axelsen in Malaysia Masters final . CNA . 12 January 2020 . 14 January 2020.
  19. Web site: Momota shows class en route to beating Axelsen in men's singles final . The Star . 13 January 2020 . 14 January 2020.
  20. Web site: Badminton world No. 1 Kento Momota slightly injured in crash in Malaysia; driver dies . Japan Times . 13 January 2020 . 14 January 2020.
  21. Web site: Momota Kento's survival of car crash a 'miracle', Japan badminton says . IOC . 28 June 2023 . 10 August 2023.
  22. News: Japan to skip Thailand Open as Momota tests positive for COVID-19 . 7 January 2021 . . Agence France-Presse. 4 January 2021.
  23. Web site: No. 1 Kento Momota upset at All England Open . Japan Times . 20 March 2021 . 23 March 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210323071516/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/03/20/more-sports/no-1-kento-momota-upset-england-open/ . 23 March 2021.
  24. News: Olympics: Japan's world No. 1 shuttler Kento Momota out after 2-0 loss to Korea's Heo Kwang-hee . 27 July 2021 . . 27 July 2021.
  25. Web site: Sudirman Cup Finals: Team China protects the championship . Yonex . 3 October 2021 . 19 October 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019223523/https://www.yonex.com/news/badminton/sudirman-cup-finals-team-china-protects-the-championship/ . 19 October 2021.
  26. Web site: Lloyd . Owen . China win Uber Cup title after beating holders Japan in final . Inside the Games . 16 October 2021 . 19 October 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019224435/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1114284/uber-cup-final-thomas-cup-semi-finals . 19 October 2021.
  27. News: Goh . ZK . 25 October 2021 . Viktor Axelsen triumphs over Momota Kento at Denmark Open in Odense . . 28 July 2022.
  28. Web site: 21 November 2021 . Indonesia Masters: Japan's Momota wins first title since 2020 car accident . 28 July 2022 . Sportstar .
  29. Web site: All England: Lee Zii Jia Powers into Semis . 2022-06-15 . bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com . en-US.
  30. Web site: German Open: Japanese Favourites, Loh Bow Out Early . 2022-06-15 . bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com . en-US.
  31. Web site: 2022-04-27 . Badminton Asia Championships: Kento Momota suffers shock early exit at hands of 52nd ranked Wardoyo . 2022-06-15 . Firstpost . en.
  32. Web site: Thailand Open: An Se Young, Momota Crash Out . 2022-06-15 . bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com . en-US.
  33. News: Badminton world number two Kento Momota out of Indonesia Open . . 16 June 2022.
  34. Web site: Momota thrashed by Axelsen in Malaysia final . 2022-07-10 . sports.yahoo.com . en-US.
  35. Web site: MALAYSIA OPEN: MOUNT AXELSEN PROVES UNCONQUERABLE . 2022-07-10 . bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com.
  36. Web site: MALAYSIA OPEN: 'CLOSE TO FINDING MY ANSWER,' SAYS MOMOTA . 2022-07-10 . bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com.
  37. Web site: 2022-07-07 . Momota runs out of gas, crashes out of Malaysia Masters Malay Mail . 2022-07-10 . Momota runs out of gas, crashes out of Malaysia Masters.
  38. Web site: 24 August 2022 . Badminton: Japan ace Kento Momota shocked in 2nd-round Tokyo worlds exit . 24 August 2022 . Kyodo News.
  39. Web site: Kano . Shintaro . April 18, 2024 . Japan's former world No. 1 Momota Kento announces retirement from international badminton . Olympics.
  40. Web site: Alleyne . Gayle . BWF Launches New Events Structure . . 19 March 2017 . 29 November 2017 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171201164159/http://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2017/03/19/bwf-launches-new-event-structure/ . 1 December 2017.
  41. Web site: Sukumar . Dev . Action-Packed Season Ahead! . Badminton World Federation . 10 January 2018 . 15 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180113162925/http://bwfworldtour.com/news-single/2018/01/10/action-packed-season-ahead/ . 13 January 2018.
  42. Web site: BWF Launches Super Series . Badminton Australia . 15 December 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071006123828/http://www.badminton.org.au/index.php?id=22&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=136&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=2&cHash=26fb36d8a5 . dead . 6 October 2007.
  43. Web site: Yonex All England Elevated To BWF Premier Super Series Event . IBadmintonstore . 29 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131002005757/http://www.ibadmintonstore.com/iBADMINTONstore-News/Yonex-All-England-Elevated-To-BWF-Premier-Super-Se.aspx . dead . 2 October 2013.
  44. Web site: ja. バドミントン男子・桃田賢斗、田児賢一 賭博行為について会見. . 8 April 2016. 8 April 2016.
  45. Web site: Japan ace Momota 'regrets betrayal' as possible Rio ban looms. Yahoo Sports. 8 April 2016.
  46. News: Badminton stars Momota, Tago admit visiting illegal casinos. 7 April 2016. The Japan Times Online. 0447-5763. 7 April 2016.
  47. Web site: Japan badminton ace Kento Momota facing Rio chop over casino visit . France 24 . 7 April 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160407143833/http://www.france24.com/en/20160407-japan-badminton-ace-kento-momota-facing-rio-chop-over-casino-visit . 7 April 2016 .
  48. Web site: S'pore Open men's champ axed from tournament. TODAYonline. 7 April 2016.
  49. Web site: Kento Momota Head to Head . 7 May 2024 . BWF-Tournament Software.