(Tokyo) The Japanese Daisuke Takahashi, who became the first Asian man to become the world figure skating champion in 2010, announced his retirement from sport on Monday at the same time as that of his ice dancing partner Kana Muramoto.

The 37-year-old Takahashi claimed the world title in Turin in 2010 ahead of Canadian Patrick Chan and Frenchman Brian Joubert, a month after becoming the first Japanese skater to win an Olympic medal, winning bronze at the Olympic Games. Vancouver.

After a first retirement from sport in 2014, he put his skates back on four years later, before turning to mixed ice dancing in 2020 with Kana Muramoto as a partner.

The couple, nicknamed “Kanadai”, posted a video on Instagram announcing that they were “looking for a good time to announce” their retirement. “The time has come to announce it,” Takahashi added.

Takahashi, who has competed in three Olympiads, also won two world championship silver medals in 2012 and 2007.