TOKYO: Kasumi Ishikawa of Japan's table tennis team, who won three consecutive women's team medals at the Olympics, announced her retirement on Monday May 1.
The 30-year-old Ishikawa announced it in Chinese on Weibo and in Japanese on Instagram.
After losing to Chen Meng of China in the women's singles round of 16 at the WTT Macau in April, she claimed she had made the decision to hang up her tennis racquet.
She claimed, "My 23-year playing career has given me priceless experiences in my life." "I am very happy that many of my dreams have come true," said the player who began playing table tennis at age 7 and began representing Japan in international competitions at age 14. Ishikawa, who won five national women's singles titles, was a significant player in the 2012 London Olympics silver medal-winning Japanese women's team performance in table tennis. She later assisted Japan in capturing the women's bronze medal at Rio 2016 and the silver medal once more at Tokyo 2020.
She was extremely appreciative of her Chinese trainers and supporters back home.
Since high school, I have met many Chinese coaches, she claimed. "From them, I also learnt Chinese culture and language. I'm delighted to be in contact with Chinese supporters and friends.