In a surprising turn of events that has captivated the badminton world, former world No. 1 men’s singles shuttler Kento Momota of Japan is set to make a competitive comeback at the prestigious Lin Dan Cup. The 30-year-old, who famously retired from international competition in April last year at the age of 29, will grace the courts of Xian, China, from July 25-27.
Momota’s inclusion has been a major talking point, with the Japanese star prominently featured in the promotional materials for the tournament. The Lin Dan Cup, founded by the legendary Chinese shuttler and two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan himself, boasts a substantial total prize purse of 850,000 yuan (approximately USD 118,500), underscoring its growing prominence in the badminton circuit.
The tournament is expected to draw a strong international field. Besides Momota, other notable foreign participants include Thailand’s 2019 World Championship bronze medallist Kantaphon Wangcharoen, South Korea’s Cho Geon-yeop, Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen, and Momota’s compatriot Riki Takei. Malaysia will also be represented by Tan Jia Jie and Cheam June Wei.
Momota’s career was once marked by unparalleled dominance, particularly in 2019, a year in which he secured an astonishing 11 titles and suffered only six defeats in 73 matches. He also claimed back-to-back World Championship titles in 2018 (Nanjing) and 2019 (Basel), solidifying his status as a global badminton icon.
However, his trajectory took a significant hit after a devastating car accident in 2020, following his victory at the Malaysian Masters. The accident severely impacted his performance, leading to a challenging period that ultimately prompted his decision to retire from the international stage.
His return to the Lin Dan Cup offers a glimmer of hope for fans who remember his electrifying performances. While the nature of his return – whether it’s a one-off appearance or a precursor to a more sustained comeback – remains to be seen, his presence alone is sure to add an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the tournament. All eyes will be on Xian as Momota steps back onto the competitive court.
