Takahito Mura Retires

[kittyjake5]

Mura announced his retirement at a press conference he attended with Mao
and Mai which was promoting Mao's new tour. He has had a long up and
down career but no matter what he always had a smile. Wishing him success
in his future endeavors. He will be missed.

https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL3J420KL3JUTQP00H.html

 

[nimi]

Mura announced his retirement at a press conference he attended with Mao
and Mai which was promoting Mao's new tour. He has had a long up and
down career but no matter what he always had a smile. Wishing him success
in his future endeavors. He will be missed.

https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL3J420KL3JUTQP00H.html

This didn't come as a surprise (there was speculation here after his name wasn't amongst the entries for Worlds) but still, I'm feeling wistful right now.

Thanks for letting us know, @kittyjake5

 

[Coco]

Best of luck to him in his future show career!

 

[rosewood]

photos
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYZLVx9U0AAPBYf.jpg
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2018/03/16/jpeg/20180316s00079000178000p_view.jpg
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2018/03/16/jpeg/20180316s00079000193000p_view.jpg

article
https://www.daily.co.jp/general/2018/03/16/0011073506.shtml
excerpts of Mura's comment: (my rough translation)
"In me it was a good memory that I won a bronze and made a podium together with Daisuke Takahashi at Japanese Nationals in Sapporo. While I was not doing well from the beginning of my final season, I was happy that I could put a good period on my competitive career at my final Nationals."
"[As the first alternate for Olys] Inside of me I felt my job was over when I saw Yuzuru finishing his good skate in SP. As much as I can't deny I had bitter feelings at my final step of my competitive career, I'm happy I was able to continue skating until today being pushed my back by my fellow older and younger skaters. I'm so grateful for them."
Mao's comment:
"Since we're at the same age, we've been going to the same international competitions. We've been encouraging each other. I retired a season earlier than him. I always rooted for him during his final season. Now I want to say otsukaresama (=Thank you. Good job.) to him."

 

[maureenfarone]

Best of luck to him!

 

[peibeck]

Best of luck to him in the future. I've enjoyed getting to see him skate live several times, and I've always gotten the sense he really, really loves the sport when watching him compete.

 

[SamuraiK]

The last one of JPN's golden men generation (Takahashi, Oda, Kozuka, Machida, Mura) to retire. I wish him all the best. He did manage to get to worlds 3 times and has a 4CC title. A good career ..

 

[Sylvia]

Another article in Japanese: https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20180316-00000093-dal-spo

@rosewood and any else, can you translate the part addressed to his father/coach at the end? The machine translation is:
"I'm going to see you tomorrow, but thankfully, I would like to say 'Thank you so far. Because of support, I have been here.'"

 

[Vash01]

Best wishes to Mura. I hope he is happy with what he decides to do next.

 

[Jeschke]

I am gonna miss Mura. When he was on, he was stunning
Great career!

 

[skateboy]

Best of luck to Mura.

 

[kwanette]

I always liked Mura. I met his parents in Lake Placid in Nov., lovely people. His exhibition there is my favorite of the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2MTklHiMA0

 

[livetoskate]

Sad to hear but Mao's big tour in Japan and other opportunities await Takahito. He's been competing for so long. I liked his musical choices, exhibitions and his commitment to expression and choreography. Wonderful quads and huge triple axels when he could land them. Too bad I won't be able to see him compete in North America. Perhaps I need to make a trip to Japan before he stops skating altogether!

 

[kwanfan1818]

Mura skated at Skate Canada five times, winning the event in 2014 in Kelowna. It was always fun to see him skate.

Best of luck to him!