Momota to call it quits for good in February: sources

Expect Kento Momota to call it quits in February, nearly seven months after he retired from international badminton.

Visit M88 Badminton for more badminton news and other updates.

Check out M88 Mansion’s best offers here.

MOMOTA TO CALL IT QUITS AFTER S/J LEAGUE SEASON ENDS IN FEBRUARY

Expect Momota to call it quits after Japan’s S/J League season ends in February next year.

Furthermore, the former world No.1 made the decision after initially announcing his departure from Japan’s national team in April.

Moreover, Momota was sidelined by a series of injuries that forced him to miss the Paris Olympics earlier this year.

Sources familiar with the matter told multiple news outlets on Sunday regarding the 30-year-old Kanagawa Prefecture native’s plans.

Incidentally, the S/J League season already began on Saturday.

Badminton: Two-time world champion Momota to retire next Februaryhttps://t.co/sWWCuhZG9f#sports #badminton #japan

— Kyodo News | Japan (@kyodo_english) November 3, 2024

JAPANESE STAR SHUTTLER HIGHLIGHTS CAREER WITH 2 WORLD C’SHIPS IN 2018-19

Moreover, the Japanese star shuttler highlighted his career with two men’s singles titles at the world championships in 2018-19. 

Furthermore, Momota became the first Japanese man to claim the world No.1 spot in the badminton rankings.

In his prime, he held the No.1 position for 121 weeks.

In April, Momota last represented Japan in the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in Chengdu, China.

“I had a very fulfilling career playing for the national team,” he said back in April.

🇯🇵 Kento Momota – Becomes the first World Champion to retire from International Career with a win in his last Men's Singles match.
He won against 🇹🇼 Chia Hao LEE in group stage match of #TUC2024

Updated Stats about him in #TUC ⬇️ https://t.co/eSYvmWMtxZ pic.twitter.com/F40OHNlTt1

— Badminton Zenith (@BadmintonZenith) May 2, 2024

GAMBLING, CAR ACCIDENT MARK DARK TIMES IN  MOMOTA’S CAREER

Furthermore, gambling issues and a car accident marked dark times in Momota’s career.

Moreover, the Japanese star was suspended from the Japanese team and missed the 2016 Rio Olympics due to gambling at illegal casinos.

Momota’s career took a turn after the vehicle that carried him to the Kuala Lumpur airport in Malaysia crashed.

This happened after he won the Malaysia Masters in January 2020.

Momota staged a comeback and won two more titles, but double vision issues prevented him from sustaining his form.

【Ｓ/Ｊリーグ】
2024シーズンの公式スコア速報は２つのサービスで実施📋️
【スポナビ】
《男子》https://t.co/uQZXCrJaHe
《女子》https://t.co/ryK0deDrF9
【BIRDSCORE】https://t.co/RYh22MV0mk#カウントダウン#いよいよ開幕#バドミントン#BADMINTON#SJリーグ pic.twitter.com/vbxBtVunW0

— BADMINTON S/J LEAGUE (@League_SJ) November 2, 2024