SPEED SKATING

Miho Takagi retirement: Japan’s 10-time Olympic Medalist steps away

29 Apr 2026

Japanese speed skating star Miho Takagi has announced her retirement, bringing to a close one of the most decorated careers in Olympic speed skating history.

The 31-year-old leaves the sport as Japan’s most decorated Olympic speed skater, having won 10 Olympic medals (2 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze) across three Olympic Winter Games.

Bronze medallist Miho Takagi celebrates with a Japanese flag after competing in the speed skating women's 500m at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy © Getty Images

A career that defined a generation

Takagi emerged on the international stage at just 15 years old, competing at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. She claimed her first world title together with sister Nana Takagi and Ayaka Kikuchi at the World Single Distance Championships 2015 in Team Pursuit.

Takagi also won both the World Allround Championships (2018) and the World Sprint Championships (2020 and 2024), as well as six World Titles in Single Distances. (2x1000m, 1500m and 3xTeam Pursuit).

Renowned for her versatility, Takagi excelled across distances by combining sprint speed with endurance, a rare quality that enabled her to compete consistently at the highest level.

Her success played a key role in elevating Japan as a leading nation in international speed skating.

Miho Takagi at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada © Getty Images

Ayaka Kikuchi, Miho Takagi and Nana Takagi celebrate after they compete in the Team Pursuit in the ISU Speed Skating World Championships 2015 in Heerenveen, Netherlands © Getty Images

Legacy across three Olympic Winter Games

Takagi’s Olympic journey spanned from Vancouver 2010 to Milano Cortina 2026, where she added three bronze medals in her final appearance on the Olympic stage.

Her breakthrough came at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, where she secured an individual Olympic title and multiple podium finishes, establishing herself among the world’s elite.

Across three Olympic Games, her medal tally of ten set a new benchmark for Japanese speed skaters.

Gold medallist Miho Takagi poses with her medal during the Women's 1000m Medal Ceremony at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China © Getty Images

Excellence across distances

Unlike many specialists, Takagi built her success across multiple disciplines, from the 1000m and 1500m to the team pursuit.

This ability to adapt across formats made her a central figure in both individual and team events, contributing to Japan’s sustained success on the global stage.

An emotional farewell in Heerenveen

Takagi’s final international appearance came at Thialf in Heerenveen, where she finished third at the ISU Speed Skating World Championships.

The moment marked an emotional farewell, as she received a standing ovation from the crowd.

“When I was on the podium looking at the crowd, I had two thoughts. First: I will never see this audience and this atmosphere again, and second: I am just very happy and grateful to be able to experience this.”