GEORGE TOWN: Former world No. 1 and two-time world champion Kento Momota has surprised fans by announcing his plans to return to tournaments.
The Japanese star, who retired from the national team in April last year after the 2024 Thomas Cup, made the announcement while attending the Penang Badminton Association’s (PBA) Century Cup tournament at Bukit Dumbar on Friday (Nov 21).
“I’ll be playing in tournaments in the near future.
“I just recovered from recent surgery for a back injury, but I’m all okay now," the 31-year-old told a press conference, adding that he has not stopped training.
“This is my first time in Penang and I’m enjoying myself very much,” he said.
The three-day Century Cup, which began on Friday, featured 240 players from 10 teams representing China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, with a total prize pool of RM24,000.
In his opening speech, PBA president Datuk Kau Kah Kiak welcomed participants, while State sports, health and youth executive councillor Daniel Gooi said Penang would continue to be a “badminton powerhouse” by hosting such tournaments.
More than 1,000 people attended the opening of the tournament and to catch a glimpse of the Momota, who is regarded as one of the greats of men’s singles badminton.
He dominated the sport between 2018 and 2020, holding the world No.1 ranking for 121 weeks and winning a record 11 titles in the 2019 season, an achievement recognised by Guinness World Records.
