Freestyle skier Aiko Uemura signed off in style Thursday by winning her last competitive event before she calls time on her career.
The 34-year-old Uemura, who won the overall World Cup crown during the 2007-2008 season, won her eighth moguls title and first in two years at the freestyle skiing national championships in Nagano Prefecture. She will not compete in the women's dual moguls on Friday.
"This is the course on which I was nurtured and I am pleased that my last (competition) was here. I am so happy," said Uemura.
"I am happy that all the people that have supported me were here watching over me."
The Hyogo native appeared in five consecutive Winter Olympics. Although she never medaled, she finished in the top eight in all five competitions. She won two titles at the 2009 world freestyle championships.
She is scheduled to announce her retirement at a press conference next Tuesday.