Badminton has become one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of people playing the game in various countries. As the sport has grown in popularity, so have the number of professional badminton players that have risen to the top of the rankings. The number one ranked badminton player in the world is Kento Momota of Japan.
History of Kento Momota
Kento Momota was born on the 1st of September, 1994 in Chiba, Japan. He began playing badminton at the age of 7, and quickly developed into a top-level player. He rose through the Japanese badminton ranks, eventually winning the Japanese National Championships in 2013 and 2014.
In 2015, he turned professional and joined the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Circuit. He began making waves on the international badminton scene, winning his first BWF Super Series event in 2016 and becoming the first Japanese player to win a Super Series event. From there, his career continued to flourish and he has gone on to become one of the most successful badminton players in the world.
Accolades and Achievements
Kento Momota has won numerous accolades and achievements throughout his career. He has won 14 BWF Super Series titles, including the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships in 2020. He has also won two BWF World Championships in 2019 and 2021. He has also won two Japan Open titles, two Asia Championships, and two Asian Games gold medals.
In addition to his success on the international stage, Momota has also established himself as one of the top players in Japan. He has won three consecutive Japan National Championships from 2016-2018 and is the only player to have won four consecutive Japan Opens from 2017-2020.
Momota is also the first Japanese men’s singles player to have been ranked number one in the world. He achieved this feat in February 2019 and has held onto the top spot ever since.
Rivalry with Viktor Axelsen
Viktor Axelsen is widely regarded as Kento Momota’s biggest rival. The two players have had some memorable battles over the years, with Axelsen edging Momota out in the 2017 BWF World Championships final and Momota taking revenge in the 2019 BWF World Championships final.
The rivalry between the two players is widely considered to be one of the greatest in badminton history. While Momota has had the upper hand in recent years, Axelsen is still a formidable opponent and has pushed Momota to the limits.
Final Thoughts
Kento Momota is undoubtedly one of the greatest badminton players of all time and is currently the number one ranked player in the world. His achievements in the sport are unparalleled and he is a true inspiration to aspiring badminton players all over the world. He has cemented his place as one of the greatest players of all time and will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the badminton world for years to come.