Former world champion Kenji Ogiwara, who announced earlier this month he will retire from international competition, said Monday he will formally put an end to his 20-year career.
Ogiwara, who led the Japanese Nordic combined skiing team to Olympic gold medals in 1992 and 1994, revealed that he made the decision on May 1 after holding talks with officials of the Nagano-based Kitano Construction skiing team.
"I've been lacking the concentration necessary as a competitor. I feel like it is my mission to pass on to younger skiers all that I've learned.
Skiing is a lifetime sport," the 32-year-old said at a news conference. Ogiwara, who holds Japan's second-best career record with 19 wins, added that he is unsure of his future plans and will take his time deciding whether or not he will return to compete on the domestic circuit.
Ogiwara won an unprecedented three straight World Cup titles from the 1992-1993 season. He also earned the individual and team honors in his debut at the world championships in 1993.