Two-time world champion Kento Momota said Thursday he is retiring from international badminton aged 29, admitting he had never been the same since a serious car crash four years ago.

Kento Momota was once badminton's undisputed king but his career has gone into free fall ever since a car crash more than two years ago which left him badly hurt.

World number one shuttler Viktor Axelsen pulled out of the Thailand Open on Thursday, citing an injury he sustained at last week's Thomas and Uber Cup finals

Kento Momota also withdrew from last week's BWF World Tour Finals 2021 with a back issue and has returned to Japan.

In the last 10 weeks, eight tournaments have taken place, including Sudirman Cup, Thomas and Uber Cup Final and five World Tour events and the ongoing World Tour Finals.

Indonesia Open: Lakshya Sen lost in straight games to Kento Momota on Tuesday.

Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu and in-form shuttler Lakshya Sen made impressive starts at the Indonesia Masters Super 750 badminton tournament, reaching the second round with contrasting wins on Tuesday.

Tokyo 2020: World No.1 men's badminton player Kento Momota was knocked out in the group stage after losting 15-21, 19-21 to South Korea's Heo Kwang-hee.

Kento Momota tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, prompting the withdrawal of all Japan's players from this month's Thailand Open.

Kento Momota is one of Japan's brightest hopes for a gold medal on home soil at the coronavirus-postponed Tokyo Games next year.