Japanese table tennis star Ishikawa announced his retirement

Japanese table tennis star Kasumi Ishikawa, who won three women’s team medals in three consecutive Olympics, announced her retirement on Monday.

The 30-year-old Ishikawa made the announcement in Japanese on Instagram and in Chinese on Weibo.

She said she decided to call it quits after the WTT Macau in April, when she lost to China’s Chen Meng in the round of 16 in the women’s singles.

“A 23-year playing career has brought me valuable experiences in my life,” he said. “Beginning to play table tennis at the age of 7 and representing Japan in international competitions at the age of 14, I am very happy that many of my dreams have come true.”

Ishikawa, who won five national women’s singles titles, was a key figure when the Japanese women’s team won silver, the country’s first Olympic table tennis medal, in London 2012. She went on to lead Japan to the women’s bronze at Rio 2016 and silver again at Tokyo 2020.

He was very grateful to his Chinese coaches and fans in China.

“I have met many Chinese coaches since high school,” he said. “I also learned Chinese culture and language from them. I am happy to be able to communicate with Chinese fans and friends.”