Tokyo: Former world number one Kento Momota’s withdrawal from the upcoming Asian Games due to injury has raised questions about his future in badminton.
The 29-year-old Japanese shuttler has been struggling with injuries since a car crash in 2020 that left him with double vision. He has also been battling a chronic knee injury.
As a result, he has fallen to world number 48, and his latest setback is a major blow to his hopes of winning a medal at the Asian Games.
Momota was originally selected to play for Japan in the men’s team event at the Games, which will be held from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, China. He will be replaced by Koki Watanabe, who is ranked 30th in the world.
Momota’s withdrawal is a major loss for Japan, which is considered one of the favorites to win the men’s team event at the Asian Games. However, Watanabe is a talented player who is capable of filling Momota’s shoes.
The Asian Games are a major tournament for badminton, and Momota’s withdrawal is a major setback for the sport. However, it is important to remember that Momota is still a young player, and he has plenty of time to recover from his injuries and return to his best form.
The car crash that Momota was involved in was a devastating event that had a profound impact on his career. He was lucky to survive, but the injuries he sustained have been a major challenge to overcome.
Despite the setbacks, Momota has shown incredible resilience. He has never given up on his dream of becoming a badminton champion, and he is determined to return to the top of the sport.
However, his withdrawal from the Asian Games has raised questions about whether he will be able to make a full recovery. He is now ranked 43rd in the Race to Paris Ranking, which is based on the player’s performances in the past four years.
If Momota is unable to regain his form and ranking, it is possible that he may retire from badminton. It is a decision that he will need to make based on his own health and well-being.
Only time will tell whether Momota will continue his badminton career. But for now, we want to wish him the best of luck and hope he can return to his top form ASAP.
