(Ottawa) Keegan Messing, a figure skater who was born in the United States but long represented Canada internationally, has announced his retirement from competition.

Skate Canada announced the news in a news release Friday morning.

The 31-year-old from Anchorage, Alaska, Messing began representing Canada beginning in 2014. He won the Canadian Championship for the first time in 2022 in Ottawa before successfully defending his title last January in Oshawa.

Messing won gold medals at the 2018 and 2022 Nebelhorn Trophy, a silver medal at the 2018 Skate Canada International and, most recently, a silver medal at the International Skate Union Four Continents Championships. skating of 2023.

Messing also wore Canada’s colors at the 2018 Olympics in South Korea and 2022 in China. His adventures surrounding his journey to Beijing, made more difficult due to strict restrictions linked to the COVID-19, had made the headlines.

In its press release, Skate Canada said Messing plans to spend more time with his family, as he is the father of two children.

“As I retire from competitive figure skating, I do not feel the burden of what I could not accomplish, but what I have earned and accomplished fills me,” Messing said in the statement. Skate Canada press release.

“I retire knowing that I have truly made a difference in the sport and accomplished everything I set out to do,” he added.

According to Skate Canada High Performance Director Mike Slipchuk, Messing left a big impact not only on the national program, but on figure skating around the world.

“Over the past eight seasons Keegan has become a key member and leader of our national team and Skate Canada,” said Slipchuk.

“During a career marked by many highlights, he was always very humble, highly respected by his peers and always wanted the best for all his competitors. »