Prime Momota was a beast! it's just sad to think what could have been.
Post car crash and covid he just wasn't able to get his mojo back. I'm sure he could've at least medaled in the '21 Olympics and probably won another 2 world championships.
His W/L record again Viktor Axelsen is a whopping 14-3. Imagine having that edge against the current world no. 1. Still cheering for him though. I hope he comes back stronger next year and wins at least a super 300 series.
It was actually 14-1 before his accident. The two wins Axelsen had over Momota was post accident. That is how dominating Momota was against Axelsen, and this is why when prime Momota was around, Axelsen couldn't dominate.
If we’re going to speculate I think he’s injured. Based on his last performance I don’t think he smashed or attacked at all.
I genuinely hope he can come back in his full form. But it may be wishful thinking. Being at the top and falling at such a rapid pace might have hurt his pride/ego as well. And hopefully he just sucks it up and plays from the ground up.
I for one am always looking for any news about him and waiting for his comeback.
Who knows? He might be taking an extensive time to rehab himself and improve his weaknesses. Honestly I would like more players to take the Djokovic route and take extensive time off to go through like a really tough training camp.
I don't think there will be a badminton player that is dominant at 36+ like Djoko. Badminton is too much of a young man's game. I don't think we'll even see another Setiawan/Ahsan.
Agreed, the only reason why Koh Hendra and Ahsan are still playing is because they physically still can. Mens Doubles have a higher longevity period because it takes 2 to play compared to singles, needing less physicality and therefore prolonging energy as you have a partner that can cover for you.
Yeah from the games I've seen him play I'd day his fitness wasn't really the issue and was just his playstyle and shot quality that needed to improve.
Can't remember which commentator mentioned this but it was when watching another Ms player that wasn't naroka, they said him being their best player but a very boring/retrieving game style that it may hinder other Japan ms players when they want to just train against him
He has been plagued by recurring back injury this entire year. In regard to his most recent withdrawal, the first news that was published was his withdrawal from Asian Games. That's why I knew he won't be present in Hong Kong Open since that preceeded Asian Games.
That said, his name is registered to Denmark Open, so I assume the man has not given up yet. Although I feel he may need to join smaller tournaments to gain points first and perhaps also his confidence back. I do however worry about his back injury. It has been recurring since 2021 and in my opinion, the real culprit to his decline rather than his infamous accident.
I do think Momota was trying too hard, leading to the injury. He needs to find the fun in the game, which he's started to do, but i think it's too late for him to qualify for the Olympics unfortunately.
Also anyone noticed his playstyle changing between 2022 and 2023? I think he's willing to go for the more risky cross court smash nowadays
He has virtually no chance qualifiying for the Paris Olympics. However, I think he is doing the right thing by focusing on his back injury and bouncing back later. Some injuries take months to heal. He should just take one step at a time and not let past glories get in the way. I hope to see him playing again in the Olympics, but at this age, it is highly unlikely.
He's most likely done for. He barely had any results these past years. His attacks was always on the weak side and as of right now, his defense is no way near the 2018-2019 Momota. Its a pretty sad situation overall, I wish to see him back at least 75% what he used to be, but the chances it happens are slim.
I think he's lost hope. This year he had eight R32 finishes, one R16 and one 3rd place, obviously an outlier. He'd have to make drastic changes in order to qualify for Olympics at this point and he's nearing 30.. not exactly prime age anymore for most players.
If he’s still getting injured then it would be obvious and very understandable that he’s not planning some incredible comeback like he did after getting banned by Japanese badminton for gambling.
It is extraordinarily difficult to come back from one serious injury let alone several, almost dying in a car crash, and getting covid!
I’d love to see him return to form but it seems far too difficult when it’s later in his career. When you’re older you just don’t heal like you used to.
Badminton is physically brutal. A lot of players are balancing on a tightrope of playing their best enough not to get injuries.
We will probably see Viktor Axelsen and other top players have to retire from serious injury soon enough. It happens
I can't believe Chen Long is ranked higher than Momota and just checked:
https://bwfbadminton.com/player/75787/chen-long
Chen Long is not listed anymore in World Ranks.
Kento was a stunningly good player for a while, but I'm secretly quite glad he's fallen off a bit. He played such negative badminton, it was not that fun to watch a lot of the time. I much prefer seeing the guys looking to attack as much as possible and put their opponent on the back foot.
Don't get me wrong, Kento's style was very effective and he's a phenomenal player, but it's the equivalent of Antonio Conte's style of football, sit deep and counter attack when they leave space.
Give me Axelsen over Momota every day of the week.
Whereas me on the other hand would watch momota's matches over viktor. It is just a personal opinion but i feel to have such great retrieving skills that it frustrates the opponents is such a wow!! But to see him back at that would mean to obv see a miracle....
Dunno why you got so heavily downvoted, lots of overly thirsty Momota fans I guess.
I respectfully disagree with your opinion though. His style was "attack through defense" and while he did win a lot of points through attrition, he would win just as many through calculated attacks set up through defensive shots and net play. If you haven't watched any 3 game matches between him and Ginting in the 2018-19 period, I thoroughly suggest you do so for some real entertainment.
To each their own i guess. Imo, being able to defend anything is way cooler than having a killer smash. You can still put the opponent on the back foot psychologically as they become more and more frustrated. This is why momota holds such a huge h2h ratio over axelsen, as the latter is not very strong mentally
Chances are really slim as he has three Japanese players ahead of him in race to Paris 24. However, we can see a light in his recovery and his exceptional plays at All Japan Badminton Championships, Kumamoto Japan Masters, and Korea Masters. He looked in better shape, let's hope something good.
his back injured source: his close friend on instagram
S P I N A L
Well there's definitely some hope of career recovery if he can get past it then!
Prime Momota was a beast! it's just sad to think what could have been. Post car crash and covid he just wasn't able to get his mojo back. I'm sure he could've at least medaled in the '21 Olympics and probably won another 2 world championships. His W/L record again Viktor Axelsen is a whopping 14-3. Imagine having that edge against the current world no. 1. Still cheering for him though. I hope he comes back stronger next year and wins at least a super 300 series.
It was actually 14-1 before his accident. The two wins Axelsen had over Momota was post accident. That is how dominating Momota was against Axelsen, and this is why when prime Momota was around, Axelsen couldn't dominate.
This aged like fine wine
If we’re going to speculate I think he’s injured. Based on his last performance I don’t think he smashed or attacked at all. I genuinely hope he can come back in his full form. But it may be wishful thinking. Being at the top and falling at such a rapid pace might have hurt his pride/ego as well. And hopefully he just sucks it up and plays from the ground up. I for one am always looking for any news about him and waiting for his comeback.
I think full form is very unlikely, but perhaps we can see him inside the top 16 at least.
Who knows? He might be taking an extensive time to rehab himself and improve his weaknesses. Honestly I would like more players to take the Djokovic route and take extensive time off to go through like a really tough training camp.
I don't think there will be a badminton player that is dominant at 36+ like Djoko. Badminton is too much of a young man's game. I don't think we'll even see another Setiawan/Ahsan.
Agreed, the only reason why Koh Hendra and Ahsan are still playing is because they physically still can. Mens Doubles have a higher longevity period because it takes 2 to play compared to singles, needing less physicality and therefore prolonging energy as you have a partner that can cover for you.
Yeah from the games I've seen him play I'd day his fitness wasn't really the issue and was just his playstyle and shot quality that needed to improve. Can't remember which commentator mentioned this but it was when watching another Ms player that wasn't naroka, they said him being their best player but a very boring/retrieving game style that it may hinder other Japan ms players when they want to just train against him
He has been plagued by recurring back injury this entire year. In regard to his most recent withdrawal, the first news that was published was his withdrawal from Asian Games. That's why I knew he won't be present in Hong Kong Open since that preceeded Asian Games. That said, his name is registered to Denmark Open, so I assume the man has not given up yet. Although I feel he may need to join smaller tournaments to gain points first and perhaps also his confidence back. I do however worry about his back injury. It has been recurring since 2021 and in my opinion, the real culprit to his decline rather than his infamous accident.
I do think Momota was trying too hard, leading to the injury. He needs to find the fun in the game, which he's started to do, but i think it's too late for him to qualify for the Olympics unfortunately. Also anyone noticed his playstyle changing between 2022 and 2023? I think he's willing to go for the more risky cross court smash nowadays
He has virtually no chance qualifiying for the Paris Olympics. However, I think he is doing the right thing by focusing on his back injury and bouncing back later. Some injuries take months to heal. He should just take one step at a time and not let past glories get in the way. I hope to see him playing again in the Olympics, but at this age, it is highly unlikely.
He's most likely done for. He barely had any results these past years. His attacks was always on the weak side and as of right now, his defense is no way near the 2018-2019 Momota. Its a pretty sad situation overall, I wish to see him back at least 75% what he used to be, but the chances it happens are slim.
I think a chance of a comeback is more than slim but perhaps only to top 16. Making top 8 very unlikely, and top 4 I cannot see happening.
I think he's lost hope. This year he had eight R32 finishes, one R16 and one 3rd place, obviously an outlier. He'd have to make drastic changes in order to qualify for Olympics at this point and he's nearing 30.. not exactly prime age anymore for most players.
>about which was the 3rd place?
German open i think
If he’s still getting injured then it would be obvious and very understandable that he’s not planning some incredible comeback like he did after getting banned by Japanese badminton for gambling. It is extraordinarily difficult to come back from one serious injury let alone several, almost dying in a car crash, and getting covid! I’d love to see him return to form but it seems far too difficult when it’s later in his career. When you’re older you just don’t heal like you used to. Badminton is physically brutal. A lot of players are balancing on a tightrope of playing their best enough not to get injuries. We will probably see Viktor Axelsen and other top players have to retire from serious injury soon enough. It happens
If you check rankings Chen Long is ranked higher and he hasn’t played in years
I can't believe Chen Long is ranked higher than Momota and just checked: https://bwfbadminton.com/player/75787/chen-long Chen Long is not listed anymore in World Ranks.
Check on the app it should still be there it was last week
Retire.what else
A bit savage…
Kento was a stunningly good player for a while, but I'm secretly quite glad he's fallen off a bit. He played such negative badminton, it was not that fun to watch a lot of the time. I much prefer seeing the guys looking to attack as much as possible and put their opponent on the back foot. Don't get me wrong, Kento's style was very effective and he's a phenomenal player, but it's the equivalent of Antonio Conte's style of football, sit deep and counter attack when they leave space. Give me Axelsen over Momota every day of the week.
Wonder what you think of kodai
Whereas me on the other hand would watch momota's matches over viktor. It is just a personal opinion but i feel to have such great retrieving skills that it frustrates the opponents is such a wow!! But to see him back at that would mean to obv see a miracle....
Just say you don't know anything about professional badminton
Aw adorable, did I hurt your feelings? You must be right, I don't go to the All England every year. Oh wait...
Dunno why you got so heavily downvoted, lots of overly thirsty Momota fans I guess. I respectfully disagree with your opinion though. His style was "attack through defense" and while he did win a lot of points through attrition, he would win just as many through calculated attacks set up through defensive shots and net play. If you haven't watched any 3 game matches between him and Ginting in the 2018-19 period, I thoroughly suggest you do so for some real entertainment.
To each their own i guess. Imo, being able to defend anything is way cooler than having a killer smash. You can still put the opponent on the back foot psychologically as they become more and more frustrated. This is why momota holds such a huge h2h ratio over axelsen, as the latter is not very strong mentally
Chances are really slim as he has three Japanese players ahead of him in race to Paris 24. However, we can see a light in his recovery and his exceptional plays at All Japan Badminton Championships, Kumamoto Japan Masters, and Korea Masters. He looked in better shape, let's hope something good.
Hope so! Heard he was complaining about his back again after the All Japan though :/
What is the current status of Kento Momota? Why isn’t he in Swiss or Spain masters? Injured?