Shenzhen — Former world No.1 Kento Momota is set to return to competitive action at the
2025 King Cup, where he will face current world No.1 Shi Yuqi in the opening round.
For Momota, this is more than an exhibition appearance — it is a test of where he stands after stepping away from the international tour.
Speaking ahead of the event, Momota said his desire to compete again has been building for months. While he has spent time traveling and coaching young players since leaving the circuit, he felt it was important to remain physically sharp.
“If I can’t move on court myself, then as a coach, my words won’t be convincing,” Momota explained, adding that he has continued daily training to maintain flexibility and match readiness.
A Personal Invitation from Lin Dan
Momota revealed that his return was triggered by a direct invitation from badminton icon Lin Dan, the organizer of the King Cup. Earlier this year, Momota missed the summer Lin Dan Cup after undergoing lower back surgery, but the renewed invitation later in the year presented a chance he did not want to waste.
Momota said Lin Dan told him his world ranking did not matter — what mattered was simply showing up and competing again.
“That meant a lot,” Momota said. “To be invited by someone I’ve admired for so long, I felt truly honored.”
On his health, Momota offered an encouraging update: his back pain is no longer an issue and he feels in good condition heading into the match.
Why Shi Yuqi Is the Opponent He Wanted
When asked who he most wanted to face, Momota did not hesitate: Shi Yuqi.
The Chinese star has delivered a major year on tour, and Momota said he is eager to measure himself against the current benchmark.
He also noted he has been following Shi’s recent foot issue from the BWF World Tour Finals and hopes it will not affect their match.
“I hope it’s nothing serious,” Momota said.
Interestingly, Momota believes his movement may be cleaner now than in previous years. With fewer distractions and a simpler focus, he said his body feels lighter — even if the demands of age have reduced his stamina.
“I want to play a simple style with flexible movement,” he said. “Honestly, I sometimes feel faster now — my mind is clearer and my body feels freer.”
Without rankings and expectations weighing him down, Momota’s mindset is straightforward: attack, compete, and see what happens.
“Now I have nothing to fear,” he said. “I just want to challenge with everything I have.”
King Cup Match Order
The 2025 King Cup lineup features a mix of established names and emerging talent. Here is the posted match order:
| Match | Player | Country | Opponent | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Alex Lanier | France | Victor Lai | Canada |
| 2nd | Jason Teh Jia Heng | Singapore | Jonatan Christie | Indonesia |
| 3rd | Liu Yang Ming Yu | China | Anders Antonsen | Denmark |
| 4th | Kento Momota | Japan | Shi Yuqi | China |
