[Saba Sports News] After retiring in 2024, Kento Momota began his coaching career. At the 2026 Indonesia Badminton Masters, he also tried his hand at commentary. At his peak, Momota was considered an ‘unstoppable’ presence. He was calm and composed, with precise ball control, exuding a unique charm in every movement. Watching his matches, you saw not just a champion but a master who had complete control over the ‘art of badminton.’
Therefore, seeing Kento Momota at the 2026 Indonesia Badminton Masters felt somewhat unfamiliar: he was wearing headphones, sitting in front of the commentary booth in the media area instead of striding into the venue with his racquet bag. When asked about his new role as a commentator, Momota stated that he hadn’t done any special pre-match research, but the staff from TV Asahi had prepared information for him, which he referenced.
Momota revealed that when he received the invitation to commentate, he accepted it without hesitation. Since retiring, he has been dedicated to passing on the torch of badminton to the next generation. He has immersed himself in teaching youth badminton, sharing his experience and insights gained on the court with young players. Now, he has begun to tell the story of badminton in a different way.