Tribute Wall gathers the global outpouring of gratitude and emotion following Kento Momota’s 2024 retirement, revealing how fans from Asia to Europe celebrate his brilliance, mourn his struggles, and honor his resilience. Through heartfelt posts, montages, and messages of admiration, this digital space reflects the lasting impact of badminton’s quiet icon.
Social Media Echoes: Heartfelt Hashtags and Viral Posts
Social platforms erupted with #ThankYouMomota and #KentoForever, as fans shared montages of his smashes, comebacks, and that signature calm demeanor.
X (Twitter) Tributes: Raw Emotions in 280 Characters
X became a real-time confessional, with users from Asia to the West bidding adieu through personal anecdotes and GIFs of his 2019 All England glory.
- @zongyenyen (April 18, 2024): “Now I am saddened by the news”-a simple gut-punch from a Malaysian fan, reflecting the accident’s shadow over his career.
- @itsdandeIion (May 2, 2024): “I feel so empty just by looking at these photos. Grew up watching his journey… Happy retirement”-accompanied by four iconic match shots, amassing over 15,000 views.
- @theone_xyz (May 2, 2024): “He will truly be missed by everyone. A legend with a humble attitude & great achievement. Thank you, Kento Momota of Japan”-paired with Thomas Cup images, garnering 4,590 likes and 2,271 reposts.
These posts highlight Momota’s global reach, with fans crediting his post-suspension 2017 resurgence for reigniting their passion.
Instagram and TikTok Waves: Visual Love Letters
On visual-heavy apps, edits set to emotional J-pop tracks like “Lemon” by Kenshi Yonezu dominated, focusing on his recovery arc.
- A viral TikTok by @kobeh988 (May 3, 2024) featured a montage of Momota’s wins with the caption: “Happy Retirement Kento Momota !!! you might have a love-hate relationship with Malaysia, but please know that you’ll always got our support from here “-clocking 1,312 likes and evoking the irony of his Malaysian triumphs and tragedy.
- Instagram Reels from @taiofm2 celebrated Lin Dan’s invitation to the Lindan Cup: “OMGGG SO LINDAN HAS INVITED KENTO MOMOTA… THANK YOU GOAT LINDAN!! “-2494 likes, underscoring peer respect as fan fuel.
Forum Flames: Reddit’s Deep Dives into Legacy
Reddit’s r/badminton subreddit turned into a virtual wake, with threads dissecting Momota’s “tragic” arc while toasting his peak.
The Heartbreak Threads: Scandals, Crashes, and “What Ifs?”
Users unpacked his 2016 gambling suspension and 2020 accident, framing retirement as merciful closure.
| Thread Title | Key Fan Quote | Upvotes/Comments |
| Kento Momota retirement announcement (April 18, 2024) | “Its really broke my heart as a fan… The most tragic story in badminton. Kento Momota, who was destined for so much more.” | 200+ upvotes, 150 comments |
| Kento Momota is one of the saddest thing to happen to badminton (July 23, 2024) | “It’s very depressing to hear Momota’s interviews post-accident… sadness, disappointment, and uncertainty as a player in his voice.” | 150 upvotes, 100 comments |
| Let’s speculate about Momota’s plans (older, but resurfaced) | “Kento was a stunningly good player… Anytime coaches talk about footwork, Kento Momota should be what they point to.” | 48 upvotes, 36 comments |
These discussions, with over 500 combined engagements, emphasize his technical mastery-deceptive lefty spins and flawless footwork-as eternal lessons.
Positive Pivots: From Player to Mentor
Later posts shifted to optimism, praising his 2025 Worlds commentary role: “Momota once carried the hopes of a nation. Now he carries stories. Quietly, thoughtfully.”
Rival and Peer Praises: Tributes from the Court
Fellow shuttlers’ words carried extra weight, amplifying fan sentiments with insider reverence.
Axelsen’s Playful Gratitude
Viktor Axelsen, whom Momota dominated 14-1 pre-accident, tweeted on April 18: “wish you a Happy Retirentment! Even though you have kicked my a** way too many times, it has been an absolute pleasure… You have pushed me to work harder.” Fans adored the humor, with one replying, “The H2H joke got me-true sportsmanship!”
Global Stars’ Solidarity
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and Shi Yuqi echoed well-wishes at Thomas Cup, with Momota responding: “It’s lucky to play against top players… Thanks to them, it also made me stronger.” A fan on X noted: “Rivalries turned respect- that’s Momota’s magic.”
Enduring Impact: Why Momota’s Story Resonates
Fans didn’t just mourn; they mythologized. From rural Kagawa kid to world No. 1, his resilience-rebounding from bans and breaks-mirrors life’s curveballs. As one Reddit user put it: “He showed why he’s worthy being called the best… then it was taken away. But his grace endures.”
| Fan Sentiment Theme | Example Quote | Platform/Source |
| Heartbreak & Tragedy | “The biggest ‘What If?’ in badminton.” | |
| Gratitude & Legacy | “Thank you for all those wonderful matches where you showed the world how to play badminton your way.” | Steve’s Badminton Blog |
| Resilience Admiration | “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade… May the world be fairer to you from now on.” | X @BiaoliR [post:20] |
| Humble Icon | “A legend with a humble attitude & great achievement.” | X @theone_xyz [post:42] |
Tribute Wall: What fans say about Momota after his 2024 retirement isn’t static-it’s growing, from Chengdu’s arena echoes to 2025’s coaching clinics where juniors mimic his poise. At 31, Momota’s post-retirement life-commentating in Paris, mentoring in Fukushima-proves his shuttlecock story far from over. As he shared on his 30th birthday via X: “Thank you so much to my family, staff, players and fans… I will continue to do my best to be myself,” fans reply in kind: You’ve done more than enough, Kento. Rest, inspire, repeat. In badminton’s fast rallies, your quiet legacy lingers longest.
You can also join other supporters in the Fan Zone & Community section, where fans discuss iconic rallies, unforgettable matches, and the moments that defined Momota’s legacy.
