Translation of Rika's message on her twitter account:
“I would like to let you know that I’ve decided to retire. Thank you so much for your warm support all the time. Because my fans told me that they loved my skating and wanted to see me skate again, I was able to hang in there and get through difficult times. They really gave me strength.
I had always devoted myself to skating before I took a break from skating, but I was still able to come back to skating and to regain my love for skating as I achieved my various targets along the way, and that was a huge thing for me. At the same time, it has been the season in which I wanted to produce results now that I was back in competition, rather than just having fun.
After the Nationals, I did a lot of thinking about what I should do next, taking into consideration things such as my abilities at the moment, my competition results, and Canadian entry ban due to the pandemic. Then I made up my mind that I should think realistically and retire from skating to move on to a new chapter and do my best.
I am so grateful to you who cheered for me a lot in good times and bad times, and to my coaches. Thanks to all of you, I am able to retire now. I once thought about retirement when I took a leave from skating, but I am really glad that I came back without quitting and have skated to the fullest.
When I was a third grader in elementary school, Sendai rink closed, and I left my parents and moved to Nagoya with my coach. Since then, I have been very much wrapped in skating. I might have gone through more tough and painful times than happy times, but beyond that I was able to experience many things that I would never have experienced, if I had not skated. Also, I met many great people. Above all, it is thanks to everyone that, even though I was not particularly gifted, I was able to stand on the podium at international, Nationals and Grand Prix Series competitions.
As I write this message, I realize again that thanks to so many people I have been able to skate.
From now on I hope I can do something related to skating such as skating (as a pro). In my next phase of life I will give it my all with a smile, so I will be happy if you continue to watch over me.
I am sorry for being lengthy and thank you very much for reading this till the end. I would appreciate your continued support. I am truly grateful to all of you.”
thank you to 
to hear her commentary.
