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Kenta Nishimoto

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Kenta Nishimoto
Nishimoto at the 2019 German Open
Personal information
Born (1994-08-30) 30 August 1994 (age 32)
Ise, Mie, Japan[1]
Height180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight75 kg (165 lb)
Sport
CountryJapan
SportBadminton
HandednessRight
Coached bySho Sasaki
Men's singles
Highest ranking9 (6 September 2018)
Current ranking26 (25 August 2026)
BWF profile
Medal record
Men's badminton
Representing  Japan
Sudirman Cup
Silver medal – second place2019 NanningMixed team
Silver medal – second place2021 VantaaMixed team
Bronze medal – third place2017 Gold CoastMixed team
Bronze medal – third place2023 SuzhouMixed team
Thomas Cup
Silver medal – second place2018 BangkokMen's team
Bronze medal – third place2020 AarhusMen's team
Bronze medal – third place2022 BangkokMen's team
Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place2018 Jakarta–PalembangMen's singles
Bronze medal – third place2018 Jakarta–PalembangMen's team
Bronze medal – third place2022 HangzhouMen's team
Asia Mixed Team Championships
Gold medal – first place2017 Ho Chi MinhMixed team
Bronze medal – third place2025 QingdaoMixed team
Asia Team Championships
Gold medal – first place2026 QingdaoMen's team
Silver medal – second place2016 HyderabadMen's team
Bronze medal – third place2020 ManilaMen's team
Bronze medal – third place2024 SelangorMen's team
Summer Universiade
Silver medal – second place2017 TaipeiMen's singles
Silver medal – second place2017 TaipeiMixed team
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place2012 ChibaMixed team
Asian Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place2012 GimcheonMixed team

Kenta Nishimoto (西本 拳太, Nishimoto Kenta; born 30 August 1994) is a Japanese badminton player who competes in men's singles.[2] A member of the Japanese national team, he plays for the JTEKT Stingers team.[3][4] He won a silver medal in the men's singles at the 2017 Summer Universiade and a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games. Nishimoto was part of Japan winning team at the 2012 Asian Junior Championships and at the 2017 Asia Mixed Team Championships.[5][6]

Career

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2013: First career final

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In 2013, Nishimoto reached the final of the Russia Open Grand Prix tournament, and became the runner-up after being defeated by Vladimir Ivanov of Russia.[7]

2016: Removal from national team

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In April 2016, amid a wider illegal casino scandal in Japanese badminton involving Kento Momota and Kenichi Tago, Nishimoto was removed from the Japanese national team by the Nippon Badminton Association and issued a stern warning after admitting that he had visited an illegal casino in Tokyo on two occasions between February and March 2015. Nishimoto stated that he had not gambled during the visits.[8] Japanese media reported that Nishimoto had visited the casino with Tago, who had invited him to accompany him.[9] Chuo University separately suspended Nishimoto from club activities for one month.[10]

2017: Summer Universiade silver

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Nishimoto returned to the Japanese A national team for the 2017 season.[11] In August, Nishimoto participated in the 2017 Summer Universiade, held in Taipei. He lost to Wang Tzu-wei in the final, 16–21, 15–21, clinching a silver medal.[12]

2018: Asian Games bronze; 2 World Tour finals

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In January, Nishimoto reached his first BWF World Tour final, the 2018 Malaysia Masters. In the final, he lost to then-reigning world champion Viktor Axelsen in the final, 13–21, 23–21, 18–21 in three games.[13]

Later in August, Nishimoto participated in the 2018 Asian Games, held in Jakarta. He lost to home favourite and eventual champion Jonatan Christie in the semi-final, losing 15–21, 21–15, 19–21 in three games, winning a bronze medal.[14]

At the end of the year, Nishimoto made it to another final, the 2018 Hong Kong Open. He lost to Korea's Son Wan-ho in the final, losing 21–14, 17–21, 13–21 in an hour and 29 minutes.[15]

2019–2020

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Kicking off the 2019 season, in March, Nishimoto made it to his first final of the year, the 2019 German Open. He lost in the final to compatriot Kento Momota in straight games, losing 10–21, 16–21.[16]

The following year, at the 2020 Thailand Masters, Nishimoto lost to Hong Kong's Ng Ka Long in the final, losing 21–16, 13–21, 12–21 in three games.[17]

2022: First international title

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In September, Nishimoto made it to his 7th career final, this time at his home event, the 2022 Japan Open. In the final, he beat 6th ranked and 3rd seed Chou Tien-chen in the final, winning 21–19, 21–23, 21–17 in rubber games. After the final, Nishimoto stated that he was "really happy" and also "a bit relieved" after clinching his first title, and thanked the home crowd for their support.[18][19]

2026

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Nishimoto's 2026 season was disrupted by a shoulder injury sustained during the Swiss Open in March, where he was forced to retire during his first-round match.[20][21] Following the injury, the Badminton Association of Japan announced on 24 March that Nishimoto had withdrawn from the Asian Championships, with Yudai Okimoto named as his replacement.[22] The shoulder injury also forced his withdrawal from the Thomas Cup.[23]

Nishimoto returned to competition at the Singapore Open in late May, followed by the Indonesia Open in June, but was eliminated in the first round of both tournaments. At the Japan Open in July, he again exited in the first round, losing to Indonesia's Alwi Farhan. Afterward, Nishimoto stated that although his shoulder had considerably improved and was not the cause of his defeat, he had yet to regain his match sharpness because he had played substantially fewer matches than in the previous season.[24] At the World Championships in August, he advanced past the first round by defeating fifth seed Christo Popov of France in straight games.[25]

Achievements

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Asian Games

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Men's singles

Year Venue Opponent Score Result Ref
2018 Istora Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia Jonatan Christie 15–21, 21–15, 19–21 Bronze Bronze [26]

Summer Universiade

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Men's singles

Year Venue Opponent Score Result Ref
2017 Taipei Gymnasium, Taipei, Taiwan Chinese Taipei Wang Tzu-wei 16–21, 15–21 Silver Silver [27]

BWF World Tour (3 titles, 8 runners-up)

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The BWF World Tour, which was announced on 19 March 2017 and implemented in 2018,[28] is a series of elite badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The BWF World Tour is divided into levels of World Tour Finals, Super 1000, Super 750, Super 500, Super 300, and the BWF Tour Super 100.[29]

Men's singles

Year Tournament Level Opponent Score Result Ref
2018 Malaysia Masters Super 500 Denmark Viktor Axelsen 13–21, 23–21, 18–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [30]
2018 Hong Kong Open Super 500 South Korea Son Wan-ho 21–14, 17–21, 13–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [31]
2019 German Open Super 300 Japan Kento Momota 10–21, 16–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [32]
2020 Thailand Masters Super 300 Hong Kong Ng Ka Long 21–16, 13–21, 12–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [33]
2022 Japan Open Super 750 Chinese Taipei Chou Tien-chen 21–19, 21–23, 21–17 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [34]
2023 Spain Masters Super 300 Japan Kanta Tsuneyama 15–21, 21–18, 21–19 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [35]
2023 Hong Kong Open Super 500 Indonesia Jonatan Christie 21–12, 20–22, 18–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [36]
2023 China Masters Super 750 Japan Kodai Naraoka 13–21, 13–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [37]
2023 Syed Modi International Super 300 Chinese Taipei Chi Yu-jen 22–20, 12–21, 17–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [38]
2025 Canada Open Super 300 Canada Victor Lai 21–13, 21–14 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [39][40]
2025 Japan Masters Super 500 Japan Kodai Naraoka 11–21, 21–10, 15–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [41]

BWF Superseries (1 runner-up)

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The BWF Superseries, which was launched on 14 December 2006 and implemented in 2007,[42] was a series of elite badminton tournaments, sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). BWF Superseries levels were Superseries and Superseries Premier. A season of Superseries consisted of twelve tournaments around the world that had been introduced since 2011.[43] Successful players were invited to the Superseries Finals, which were held at the end of each year.

Men's singles

Year Tournament Opponent Score Result Ref
2017 French Open India Srikanth Kidambi 14–21, 13–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [44]
  BWF World Superseries tournament

BWF Grand Prix (1 runner-up)

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The BWF Grand Prix had two levels, the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Gold. It was a series of badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and played between 2007 and 2017.

Men's singles

Year Tournament Opponent Score Result Ref
2013 Russian Open Russia Vladimir Ivanov 17–21, 21–15, 14–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [45]
  BWF Grand Prix tournament

References

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  1. ↑ "バドミントン 伊勢出身の西本拳太選手がパリ五輪代表に内定" (in Japanese). NHK. 21 May 2024. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  2. ↑ "Kenta NISHIMOTO | Profile". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  3. ↑ "Kenta NISHIMOTO | Profile". Badminton Association of Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  4. ↑ "Kenta NISHIMOTO | Profile". JTEKT (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  5. ↑ "Players: Kenta Nishimoto". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "西本拳太" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  7. ↑ "Russia Open 2013 – And Aya makes six!". Badzine. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  8. ↑ "Japan player yanked from squad as casino scandal deepens". Yahoo News Singapore. Agence France-Presse. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  9. ↑ "バド闇カジノ９人目は大学生・西本". Daily Sports (in Japanese). 20 April 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "西本拳太初の日本一「違法カジノ」処分乗り越えた". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 5 December 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "【代表情報】2017年日本ナショナルチームメンバーが発表！". Badminton Spirit (in Japanese). 13 December 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  12. ↑ Hearn, Don (30 August 2017). "UNIVERSIADE – 5 of 6 golds for the home team". Badzine. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  13. ↑ AFP (21 January 2018). "Axelsen sees off Nishimoto to clinch Malaysian Masters". Diario AS. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  14. ↑ Indartiningrum, Naomi (28 August 2018). "ASIAN GAMES 2018 SF – 3 golds in a row for Indonesia!". Badzine. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  15. ↑ "Badminton: Son Wan-ho resurgent in Hong Kong Open final, Nozomi Okuhara delighted with win". AFP. 18 November 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  16. ↑ "Badminton: Momota, Yamaguchi win as Japan dominates German Open". Kyodo News. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  17. ↑ "Hong Kong's Ng Ka-long nabs Thailand Masters from Japan's Nishimoto". Press Trust of India. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  18. ↑ AFP (4 September 2022). "Japan Open: Kenta Nishimoto, Akane Yamaguchi win men's and women's singles titles". Sportstar. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  19. ↑ Pierre, Dianne (4 September 2022). "Japan Open: Three the Magic Number". bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com. Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  20. ↑ "2026年3月11日 スイスオープン2026" (in Japanese). Badminton Association of Japan. 11 March 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  21. ↑ "Swiss Open 2026 badminton: Kiran George stuns former world champion Loh Kean Yew". Olympics.com. International Olympic Committee. 11 March 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  22. ↑ "アジアバドミントン選手権大会2026への選手団派遣について更新" (in Japanese). Badminton Association of Japan. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  23. ↑ Zamri, Adam (19 April 2026). "Japan drop Kenta but will remain a stumbling block for Malaysia". The Star. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "【ジャパンオープン2026】「勝ちたかったけど、結果を受け止めて、この状況をかみ砕いていくしかない」（西本拳太）＜選手コメント-11＞". Badminton Spirit (in Japanese). 14 July 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  25. ↑ Sukumar, Dev (18 August 2026). "Nishimoto Sinks Christo's Campaign". BWF World Championships. Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  26. ↑ Wijaya, Callistasia Anggun (28 August 2018). "Asian Games 2018: All-Indonesian men's doubles final after 44 years". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 8 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  27. ↑ Winters, Max (29 August 2017). "Hosts dominate badminton finals on penultimate day of Taipei 2017". Inside the Games. Archived from the original on 2 September 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  28. ↑ Alleyne, Gayle (19 March 2017). "BWF Launches New Events Structure". Badminton World Federation. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  29. ↑ Sukumar, Dev (10 January 2018). "Action-Packed Season Ahead!". Badminton World Federation. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  30. ↑ "Badminton: Axelsen outlasts Nishimoto to win Malaysia Masters, Ratchanok squeezes past Tai". The Straits Times. 21 January 2018. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  31. ↑ Gillen, Nancy (18 November 2018). "Son and Okuhara win singles titles at BWF Hong Kong Open". Inside the Games. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  32. ↑ Sukumar, Dev (4 March 2019). "Momota Back to Winning Ways – German Open: Review". Badminton World Federation. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  33. ↑ Amsa-ngiam, Lerpong (27 January 2020). "Hongkonger Ng wins Thailand Masters for first BWF World Tour title". The Nation. Retrieved 19 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  34. ↑ Kano, Shintaro (4 September 2022). "Hosts cap Japan Open 2022 with singles title sweep thanks to Yamaguchi Akane, Nishimoto Kenta". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 19 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  35. ↑ Tanaka, Yukifumi (3 April 2023). "Kenta Nishimoto wins the Badminton Spain Masters 2023 after beating Kanta Tsuneyama in a Japanese match" (in Japanese). International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 19 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  36. ↑ Chan, Kin-wa (17 September 2023). "Hong Kong Open badminton: Jonatan Christie is first Indonesian men's winner in 25 years, Japan's Akane Yamaguchi wins women's title, home duo lose doubles final". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 19 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  37. ↑ Pareja, Marcos Menocal (26 November 2023). "Naraoka breaks Nishimoto's dominance and wins the Li-Ning Master in China". Inside the Games. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  38. ↑ Kirubashini, R (4 December 2023). "Yu-jen raises eyebrows with stunner over Nishimoto in Syed Modi final". The Star. Retrieved 19 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  39. ↑ Liew, Vincent (6 July 2025). "Kenta Nishimoto Wins 2025 Canada Open". BadmintonPlanet.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  40. ↑ "Canada Open: Milestone Win for Manami Suizu". Badminton World Federation. 7 July 2025. Archived from the original on 7 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  41. ↑ BWF TV (15 November 2025). Kumamoto Masters Japan 2025 | Kodai Naraoka (JPN) [4] vs. Kenta Nishimoto (JPN) [6] | F. Retrieved 16 November 2025 – via YouTube.
  42. ↑ "BWF Launches Super Series". Badminton Australia. 15 December 2006. Archived from the original on 6 October 2007.
  43. ↑ "Yonex All England Elevated To BWF Premier Super Series Event". IBadmintonstore. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  44. ↑ "Badminton: Yamaguchi, Nishimoto runners-up in French Open". Kyodo News+. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  45. ↑ "Vladimir Ivanov – on the golden double at the Russian Open" (in Russian). Championat.ru. 29 September 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
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