Takahiko Kozuka announces retirement

[MINAM]

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20160315-00000073-sph-spo (article in Japanese)

I will miss his skating.

 

[Loves_Shizuka]

Awwwww it was coming... I'll re-watch probably his greatest moment - Worlds 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WLywDAMY7E


Arigatou gozaimasu Taka, and all the best! Good luck with everything!

 

[Jeschke]

Oh my...german europsort guys will be devastated.

Worlds siver he got in his pocket. Could've been so much more. Nontheless, great career.
I will miss the back rubbing to start

 

[MINAM]

Injuries suck. But, yes, he does have a medal. His grandfather and parents were figure skaters. I wonder whether Kozuka's children will take up figure skating? Anyway, good luck to him!

 

[Marco]

Given the extremely deep field in Japanese men during his era, he should be very proud of himself to have won a National title and skated at the Olympics, and to have otherwise medalled at least once in every other major international championship. Remarkable resume for someone who skated against Takahashi, Oda, Hanyu, Machida, Uno, Mura etc to even make the team for those championhips.

His beautiful edges, and his performances at 2011 Worlds and 2014-5 Nationals will not be forgotten.

 

[skateboy]

I'm sorry to see him go, at his best he was an exquisite skater.

 

[Kelvster]

A remarkable career indeed - Japanese Champion, Olympian and World Silver Medalist. Am sorry that the past Olympic cycle hasn't really worked out for him. Nonetheless he has a lot to be proud of!

 

[darya_russian]

Loved him from the first time I've seen his skating. I will miss him.
Thank you, Taka!

 

[MsZem]

I was fortunate enough to see Kozuka live at 2010 TEB, and I'll remember his wonderful free skate rather than some of the more disappointing performances of recent years. He's a special skater and I hope he stays involved in skating in some way.

 

[MarieM]

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I am in zillion depressions. I know who is behind it. She's an eville witch.

 

[casken]

I'll re-watch probably his greatest moment - Worlds 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WLywDAMY7E

Yes. That was truly magnificent.

I hope we'll still see him at the Japan Open and similar events.

 

[3T3T]

Wishing him the best of luck in his retirement. I will miss his skating.

 

[Kelvster]

Oh my ... just rewatched his 2011 free programme at Worlds as well. For some reason I thought that he made a couple of mistakes in the programme, but he didn't (even landed the 4T cleanly). Absolutely amazing.

 

[midori]

Kozuka's statement says he's leaving from "on ice".

 

[levineismine]

Awww, we saw this coming but Kozuka was one of my favourite underdogs, often lowballed in PCSs... Those knees and edges . And impeccable music choices. He accomplished a lot and yet I feel he could have done so much more.
Cheers to his best skates, the 2011 Worlds and 2014 4CC. And his Nausicaa program

 

[Marco]

Kozuka's statement says he's leaving from "on ice".

Oh? I thought there're decent pro opportunities in Japan? I also think he would make a great basics coach.

 

[robinhood]

Wonderful skater This quad era was his undoing because he had everything else. I hope he becomes a coach or choreographer. His basics were to die for

 

[Dolore]

I'll never get tired of his 2009-2010 Short program .

Sad to see him go

 

[LilJen]

Love his skating so much and was just sorry to see him struggle with nerves and the judges not appreciating his introverted presentation and with that pesky hip thing. I will also miss seeing Mr Sato pat his back! Loved his sensitivity to the music, too.

But congrats on his marriage--wishing him and his wife much happiness!!

 

[LilJen]

Coolest, hippest program of Kozuka: Take Five SP

 

[paskatefan]

My favorite Japanese Men's skater since we saw him live @ 2007 Skate America (Reading, PA). I adore "Taka," and will miss him so much! All the best to him in his marriage, and his future career plans.

 

[sweetsparky]

Really sorry this moment has finally arrived. I absolutely loved the softness of his skating , watching him just moving on the ice was such amazing experience. Always grateful for the great moments he provided to skating fans. My best wishes for his future.

 

[ioana]

I know he was struggling with injuries and consistency the past few years, but he was still capable of delivering the occasional brilliant performance, like the one from 2015 Nationals. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2dhodz_小塚崇彦-takahiko-kozuka-2014-japanese-nationals-fs_sport

Will miss his skating skills and attention to detail in his programs. Best of luck to him in the future!

 

[rosewood]

This article says Kozuka leaves the ice. He makes a new start as an employee in Toyota. He says he is given a chance for making a good-bye speech in the last show of JSOI on April 17.
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20160315-00000080-dal-spo

Kozuka's grandpa was a great person who is called as a father of figure skating in Aichi prefecture where lots of top Japanese skaters are from - Midori, Mao, Miki, Akiko, Yukari, Kanako, Shoma etc etc. Here is a very interesting documentary of Kozuka family's challenge through three generations.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xv1x5n_小塚崇彦-五輪の夢-小塚家３代の挑戦-2012-11-12_people

Kozuka and his fiance got married a couple of weeks ago.
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20160220-00000186-sph-spo

All the best for his future!

 

[Dobre]

Thank you, Taka. For all the beautiful musicality. And the smile. Saw him win Skate America live, both in 2008 and 2012, and he was the class of both competitions. Also re-watched his 2010 Olympic performances recently, and really enjoyed them. He was the most competitive early in his career, but he is one of those skaters that has always grown in performance style, musicality and interpretation, and versatility. Truly appreciated. And loved.

 

[clairecloutier]

I always enjoyed watching Taka. Just a great all-around skater. Very happy to hear of his marriage and new job. He'll be missed, for sure, and I hope he can still maybe skate in shows now and then(?). But I'm glad he is building a new life for himself. Best wishes to him.

 

[shah]

Even though I'm not at all surprised, I'm still extremely sad . Good luck, Taka, with your future endeavours!

 

[sammary]

I will definitely miss his skating. I remember his win at Skate America skating to Romeo and Juliet and thought...who the heck is this guy...I love his skating. His back scratch will live forever in my heart.

And his silver at worlds. What a performance!!!!

Wishing you all the best!

 

[rosewood]

Very Kozuka.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BB7UK6ErKef/?taken-by=takakozuka&hl=ja
https://www.instagram.com/p/BA0kjNErKVM/?taken-by=takakozuka&hl=ja

 

[ginsengtea]

I'm so sad to hear about this but still I guess I knew it was coming. Taka and his skating has always been very very dear to me and I'm so grateful that he's stayed around and given us so much, even with all the injuries and disappointments. I'll miss just how different he was; the quietness and sensitivity, and of course the glorious purity of his edges. He created his own beautiful little world when he skated and at his best he could pull you in like no other.

He is so very loved and I hope he's not leaving the ice for good, although I understand if he chooses to do so. Here's to the future, Taka, wishing you all the best!