TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) — Japanese figure skater Mao Asada, a silver medalist from the 2010 Winter Olympics and three-time world champion, said on Monday (April 10) evening she’s retiring from the sport after a disappointing season, saying she has lost the will to compete.
The 26-year-old took a year off from competition before resuming training in 2015, but said on her blog late on Monday that this time she was quitting for good after being plagued by knee pain this past season.
Asada began skating at the age of five, lured into the sport by her older sister Mai, and began to draw attention while still a junior, sharing the limelight with South Korea’s Kim Yuna at the start of a long rivalry.
News of Asada’s retirement was greeted with surprise but acceptance by her fans and even gratitude by top government spokesperson, Yoshihide Suga.
