Takahiko Kozuka announces retirement

Best scratch spin (other than Lambiel) that we've seen in a long time, and managed to have a good amount of success even though he wasn't either the technically or artistically best skater (but what he COULD have been if he'd only been a little more injury-free, consistent, and confident!)..Really going to be missed out there..
 
A rough translation of his announcement. Given that Daisuke Takahashi, Nobunari Oda and many other skaters are doing things on TV, it maybe a wise decision to be working at Toyota. Sad that he's completely hanging up his skates (for the public).

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20160315-00000080-dal-spo

I haved decided to retire from figure skating. The reason I was able to enjoy skating from age 5 was because of the support of the Japanese skating Federation, Umemura Gakuen, Toyota and my fans. I am so grateful for the people around me.
Every competition has its memories, but the ones that stand out is, the Vancouver Olympics, Winning Japan Nationals, winning silver at Worlds, unable to get the ticket for Soti Olympics and finally, 2014 Japan Nationals, because while injury prevented me from skating perfectly in the grand prix series, I was able to deliver a satisfying perfomance there. It was truly a great experience.
Regarding my future, I will leave the ice. And with my experience with skating, will start my career as an employee of Toyota.
Through the courtsey of JSP and Toyota, I have been given an opportunity to skate in Stars on Ice, and bid farewell to my fans on 17 April.
 
Sylvia said:
Kozuka's retirement announcement in his blog today: http://www.t-kozuka.com/blog/2016/03/post-25c0.html

Google translation:

Season Womochimashite has decided to retire now.
The skate that started from the 5-year-old was come continued happily until now, skating officials of everyone, including the skating federation, school Umemura who supported as belongs and Toyota Motor Corporation of everyone,
And I am grateful that it is thanks to the many people such as a fan of everyone.

We were able to make a lot of memories in the active life. There are memories in one single game, but, in particular, played to the Vancouver Olympics, winning the All Japan Championships,
Second place in the world championship. All Japan Championship in 2013 Sochi Olympics that participation did not come true.
And in the All Japan Championship in 2014, in that no more There is also a Grand Prix I think such a result in the series influence of injury, it is acting that can finally convince, such as thinking that you have the guts pose,
I was able to be a valuable experience.

With regard to the future, but it will leave the ice, taking advantage of past experience,
We have decided to walk a new life as an employee of Toyota Motor Corporation.

Now big decision to be a milestone of life, but by the kindness of everyone of Toyota Motor Corporation and skating officials, April 17 at the Stars on Ice final performance, we had the opportunity to Greetings to everyone.

Continue, thank you enough for your guidance and encouragement.

Takahiko Kozuka

※ In addition, this website, it will be shut down on April 4, 2016.
Click to expand...
(my rough translation)
Title: Thank you very much for everything.

I decided to retire as of this season.
I've been happy with continuing skating that I started from 5 years old up until today. I'm very grateful for all the supports from the federation as well as everyone in this sport, Umemura Educational Institute which I used to belong to and Toyota Motor Corporation which I belong to, and all my fans. Thank you very much for everything.

I made lots of good memories in my life as a competitive skater. Among the competitions, the things especially come to my mind that I skated at Vancouver Olympics, won a title at Nationals and won a silver at Worlds. At the same time good experiences come to my mind as well, such as I missed the spot for Soch Olympics at 2013 Nationals, and then the scene that I naturally held up my fists with joy at 2014 Nationals where I made a performance that I could satisfied with after having the disappointing results in the GP circuit.

As for my future, I'm leaving on-the-ice. I decided to walk on a new path in my life as an employee in Toyota Motor Corp. by making a good use of my experiences I've had.

Facing this big turning point in my life, thanks to the kindness of Toyota and people in this sport, I'm given a chance to say good-bye to everyone in the last show of SOI Japan tour on April 17.

Your supports and guidance from now on will be greatly appreciated.

Takahiko Kozuka

*This official site will be closed as of April 4, 2016.
 
This news makes me quite sad, most especially because it sounds like he's leaving skating for good and even closing his website.

I've always loved his understated elegance and smooth edges. Even if his jumps were not always consistent, he was always lovely to watch and had a quiet dignity to his performances. There were some exhibition programs that reminded me of Browning, and I would've loved to have seen that develop more in shows.

Still, it sounds like he has many plans coming up and a new life with his wife and a new job to look forward to. To quote T.S. Eliot, "to make an end is to make a beginning." So all the best wishes to Taka for his future, and thank you for giving us some beautiful performances to look back on.
 
Not unexpected, but still sad. Kozuka has been one of my very favorite skaters for almost 10 years. Gorgeous musicality, gorgeous blade work. And I always found his personality endearing. Good luck with your new life, Takahiko!
 
casken said:
*I'm* still processing the fact that Oda is married and has kids, considering to this day, he still looks like I could pick him up and swaddle him in my arms like an infant.
Click to expand...

True story. I think of Shoma as like a cute little kid and then I see pictures of him and Oda together and realize they look about the same age - 14 to 15 :p
 
laviemn said:
I wonder if it's only really lucrative if you have Olympic medals or World titles?
Click to expand...

Argh he is just one step away... still, if Nobu could feature in non stick frying pan ads without even a world medal, I suppose Kozuka can too?
 
pinky166 said:
True story. I think of Shoma as like a cute little kid and then I see pictures of him and Oda together and realize they look about the same age - 14 to 15 :p
Click to expand...

I think given the way team Japan interacts with him, they think he's a cute little kid too. He seems to love that role though. See Him sitting on Keiji Tanaka's lap at 4CC.
 
DimaToe said:
With Takahashi, Oda, and now Kozuka retired it's like the end of an era. They were basically the start of the crazy depth in Japanese men's skating.
Click to expand...

Fun fact: 2010 Olympics was the first time the 3 of them competed together for Japan at Worlds/ Olympics. Japan finally could send 3 men to 2008 Worlds but Oda had the scooter incident; Takahashi took 2009 off and thus didn't go to Worlds. The only 3 big comps that the three of them went together were 2010 Olympics, and 2010 and 2011 Worlds. After that, Hanyu became a regular. And then there's Machida and Mura. And now Uno.
 
I'll miss Kozuka so very much. He was the last of my 3 favorite men's skaters to retire. I wish he was still going to be active in show skating. He's a huge loss. I wish him well in his new life away from skating. With Takahashi, Kozuka and Abbott out, I've lost interest in men's skating. They had a quality to their skating that the younger men of this era lack. I loved Oda too-mainly for his personality.... Oh well-there's still pairs and dance.
 
VIETgrlTerifa said:
I think given the way team Japan interacts with him, they think he's a cute little kid too. He seems to love that role though. See Him sitting on Keiji Tanaka's lap at 4CC.
Click to expand...
Agree. His interactions with Yuzu are especially hilarious. Yuzu loves to tease him so much!
This is a fun blog with lots of pictures of Shoma and team Japan http://shoma-uno.tumblr.com/
 
My best memory was at TEB (2010 ?). He skated right after Amodio. Amodio is known for his great basics and it was obvious compared to the previous skaters. Amodio's skating is easy and silent.
Then, Takahiko arrived and skated even more effortlessly, his basics were even better than Amodio.
 
Marco said:
Argh he is just one step away... still, if Nobu could feature in non stick frying pan ads without even a world medal, I suppose Kozuka can too?
Click to expand...

True. It's eye-opening to see the opportunities available to Japanese skaters from where I sit in the US. Lysacek and Davis/White aren't getting TV commercials with their OGMs, you know? It's great that Japanese skaters have different avenues to transition to post-competitive life, and they seem to adapt well. I hope Kozuka gets to do exactly what he wants.
 
briancoogaert said:
My best memory was at TEB (2010 ?). He skated right after Amodio. Amodio is known for his great basics and it was obvious compared to the previous skaters. Amodio's skating is easy and silent.
Then, Takahiko arrived and skated even more effortlessly, his basics were even better than Amodio.
Click to expand...

I remember watching that competition on television. :swoon: I was sure at the time that Kozuka and Amodio were going to dominate men's figure skating for the next several years. :slinkaway
 
So, I must have missed this up-thread ... but what is he going to be doing for Toyota?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Similar threads

M
Kana Muramoto/Daisuke Takahashi announce retirement
2
Replies
36
Views
5K
LilJen
LilJen
Sylvia
Stars on Ice Spring 2025 tour in Canada & U.S.
2
Replies
30
Views
8K
Former Lurve Goddess
Former Lurve Goddess
Sylvia
Kevin Reynolds interviewed by Japan's Mainichi Shimbun
Replies
0
Views
1K
Sylvia
Sylvia
Jay42
Satoko Myahara has retired from competition
2
Replies
33
Views
5K
LilJen
LilJen
Sylvia
Yuzuru Hanyu announces his retirement from competition (updated after his press conference)
4 5 6
Replies
153
Views
22K
Sylvia
Sylvia
Back
Top
Do Not Sell My Personal Information