Nguyễn Tiến Minh decisively defeated Kento Momota to claim a valuable championship title

Nguyễn Tiến Minh has faced Kento Momota six times in his career, with "Minh ca" maintaining an even record against Japan’s and the world’s number one badminton player.

July 13, 2013, marked a memorable moment in the career of Vietnamese badminton legend Nguyễn Tiến Minh. In just 31 minutes of play, the third seed convincingly defeated the young Japanese star, who later rose to become the world’s number one badminton player, Kento Momota, with scores of 21-12 and 21-8, securing a place in the US Open final held in Orange County, California (USA).

This was the second consecutive time the top Vietnamese player overcame Momota, who is ten years his junior. Previously, at the Vietnam Open in August 2012, Tiến Minh defeated the young Japanese player with scores of 21-14 and 21-18. However, compared to their previous encounter, Tiến Minh’s victory in the US was much smoother, with the match fully controlled by the experienced player.

Despite the loss, Kento Momota’s journey in the tournament left a strong impression. Seeded 13th, the 19-year-old surprised many by defeating fellow countryman and 7th seed Kazumasa Sakai in the third round, then beating the 2nd seed from Hong Kong, China – Hu Yun, in the quarterfinals. Notably, both wins came after intense three-game matches, showcasing the young player’s great potential at that time.

After their clash at the US Open that year, Tiến Minh and Momota met four more times at the Japan Open the same year, the 2015 World Championships, and the Asian Championships in 2018 and 2019. The Japanese player won three matches and lost one, ending their rivalry with a tied head-to-head record of 3-3 against "Minh ca".

Returning to the 2013 US Open, Nguyễn Tiến Minh’s victory over Kento Momota advanced him to the final, where he faced another player from Hong Kong – Vincent Wong Wing Ki, the tournament’s 4th seed.

Against an opponent who had eliminated Thai badminton star Boonsak Ponsana in the semifinals, Tiến Minh faced challenges and lost the first game 18-21. However, as the match progressed, the 1983-born player improved his performance, showing great composure in crucial moments to complete a comeback with a 2-1 victory (18-21; 21-17; 21-18), capturing the prestigious title on American soil.

Winning the US Open at age 30 was a major milestone for Nguyễn Tiến Minh and motivated "Minh ca" to continue shining in his career, reaching peaks such as the bronze medal at the 2013 World Championships and the Asian Championships title in 2019. The Vietnamese badminton icon remains steadfast at age 42, serving as a shining example for the younger generation to follow.