What happened to Kento Momota is a question that has resonated through the corridors of world badminton for years, marking the transition of one of the sport’s most technically gifted athletes from an undisputed world number one to a veteran navigating the twilight of his career. As of February 2026, the narrative of the Japanese maestro has shifted from the frantic pace of the BWF World Tour to a more balanced life involving domestic competition, coaching, and personal milestones. For fans who remember the dominance of 2019, when he secured a record-breaking 11 titles in a single season, the current landscape of Momota’s career serves as both a reflection on past glory and a testament to professional resilience.
The journey of the former world champion over the last two years has been defined by a series of deliberate departures and surprising returns. Following a career-altering car accident in 2020 that left him with double vision and physical trauma, the road to recovery was never linear. By 2024, Momota faced the reality that his physical peak might be behind him, leading to one of the most emotional retirements in recent sports history. However, the story did not end at the podium in Chengdu; it continued through surgery, domestic leagues, and a final transition into the next chapter of his life in 2026.
The International Departure: Thomas Cup 2024
The pivotal moment in answering what happened to Kento Momota occurred in April and May of 2024. After missing out on qualification for the Paris Olympics due to a plummeting world rank, Momota announced that the 2024 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in Chengdu, China, would be his final appearance for the Japanese national team. This decision marked the end of a 10-year tenure representing Japan on the global stage.
Final Matches on the Global Stage
Momota’s final international campaign was a showcase of the “controlled masterclass” style that fans had come to love. Even as he admitted to reaching his “physical and mental limit,” he remained undefeated in his final team appearances, proving that his tactical brain remained as sharp as ever.
- April 27, 2024: Defeated Dominik Kopřiva (Czech Republic) with a score of 21-9, 21-3. Match duration: 29 minutes.
- April 29, 2024: Defeated Matthias Kicklitz (Germany) with a score of 21-14, 21-7. Match duration: 39 minutes.
- May 1, 2024: Defeated Lee Chia Hao (Chinese Taipei) in his final international match, winning 21-18, 16-21, 21-17. Match duration: 75 minutes.
The 75-minute marathon against Lee Chia Hao was particularly symbolic. It was a match of endurance, grit, and the classic defensive scrambling that defined Momota’s peak years. “I have made this decision because it feels like I have reached my physical and mental limit in trying to get back to being the best in the world,” Momota shared during his retirement press conference. He exited the BWF rankings with a career balance of 361 wins and 113 losses.
Tactical Shift to Domestic Play
Following the Thomas Cup, Momota did not stop playing badminton entirely. Instead, he pivoted his focus to Japan’s domestic S/J League. This move allowed him to stay active within the sport while avoiding the grueling travel schedule of the World Tour, which had become increasingly difficult due to the fatigue and eye-socket issues stemming from his 2020 accident. Throughout the latter half of 2024, Momota served as the primary entity for the NTT East team, contributing to several high-profile domestic victories.
Life After the Tour: 2025 and the Commentator’s Booth
In 2025, the badminton world saw a different side of the legend. While many wondered what happened to Kento Momota after he left the professional circuit, he reappeared at the 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris—not with a racket, but with a headset.
Foray into Coaching and Commentary
September 2025 marked a new chapter as Momota joined the commentary team for the World Championships. He brought a unique, player-centric perspective to the broadcast, analyzing the game with the same meticulous detail he used to break down opponents on the court.
- Total Career Weeks at No. 1: 121
- Major Titles: 2 World Championships, 1 All England, 2 Asian Championships.
- 2025 Role: Commentator and Junior Coach for the Japanese grassroots program.
Momota’s presence in Paris was met with widespread acclaim. “It was my first time doing this and I was so nervous,” he admitted during an interview at the Adidas Arena. Despite his new role, he noted that watching the world’s best players still ignited a spark within him. “Watching the World Championships, I wished I was still playing. It felt like ‘Oh yes, I want to play badminton’.”
The Back Surgery and Comeback Hint
Just when fans thought he had permanently transitioned to the sidelines, news broke in November 2025 regarding what happened to Kento Momota’s health. He underwent a successful surgery to correct a lingering back injury that had plagued his final years on the tour. Following the procedure, Momota surprised the public by hinting at a temporary return to competitive play. By late November 2025, he was back in training, expressing a desire to test his body one last time in a competitive setting.
The 2025-2026 Winter Season: The King Cup and Final Hurdles
As 2025 drew to a close, Momota entered the King Cup International Badminton Open in December. This appearance was highly anticipated, as it represented his first significant competitive outing since his back surgery.
Match Results: King Cup 2025
The King Cup provided a “flash of brilliance” for those tracking what happened to Kento Momota. He navigated the early rounds with ease, but the quarter-final match against current world heavyweight Shi Yu Qi proved to be a final hurdle that highlighted the gap between the former and current elite.
- December 26, 2025 (Quarter-final): Lost to Shi Yu Qi with a score of 19-21, 15-21.
- Total Match Minutes: 53
- Points Earned: 34 (compared to Shi Yu Qi’s 42).
Despite the loss, observers noted that Momota moved with a fluidity that had been absent during his 2023 and 2024 campaigns. The surgery appeared to have restored some of his lateral speed, even if the lung capacity required for a full Super 1000 tournament remained a challenge. This performance cemented his reputation as a player who, while no longer competing for world titles, remained technically capable of challenging the world’s top 10.
Current Status in 2026: Personal Milestones and Permanent Retirement
Entering February 2026, the focus on what happened to Kento Momota shifted from his court coverage to his personal life. On January 9, 2026, Momota surprised his global fanbase by announcing his marriage on social media. True to his private nature, he kept his partner’s identity confidential, asking for privacy as they started their new life together.
The Final Bow in the S/J League
As of today, February 8, 2026, Momota is in the process of completing his final season in the Japanese S/J League. Sources close to the NTT East team have indicated that he intends to “call it quits for good” following the conclusion of the 2025/26 league season this month.
- 2026 Current Age: 31
- Team Role: Senior Mentor and Singles Player for NTT East.
- February 2026 Status: Expected final professional appearance within the domestic circuit.
The decision to retire fully from all professional domestic play follows his desire to focus on coaching the next generation of Japanese shuttlers. Momota has become a frequent visitor to junior academies in Kagawa Prefecture, passing on the lessons learned from both his historic 2019 run and the dark periods of his 2016 suspension and 2020 accident.
Legacy and The Future
What happened to Kento Momota is a story of a player who lived through the highest peaks and deepest valleys of professional sports. His legacy is defined by a winning percentage of 76.2% across his entire career and the 1,395,509 dollars in prize money he accumulated. More importantly, he remains the first Japanese man to ever reach the world number one spot in singles, a feat that paved the way for the current golden era of Japanese badminton.
Conclusion
In summary, what happened to Kento Momota is the graceful exit of a modern sporting icon. After his emotional international retirement at the 2024 Thomas Cup, where he played a total of 143 minutes and remained undefeated in group play, Momota utilized 2025 to rehabilitate his body through back surgery and explore a future in commentary. His brief return to form at the King Cup in late 2025 reminded the world of his technical mastery before he chose to focus on his personal life and marriage in early 2026. As he finishes his final matches in the S/J League this month, Momota leaves behind a career that remains a permanent fixture in badminton history, characterized by an unbreakable defensive spirit and an unparalleled ability to find a way to win against all odds.
