Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama, the formidable Japanese women’s doubles pair who secured a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, announced Tuesday they will part ways after next month’s world championships in the French capital. The news marks the end of a highly successful partnership that saw them reach the pinnacle of the sport.
The decision stems from diverging aspirations following their Olympic triumph. At a press conference in Kumamoto Prefecture, Chiharu Shida, 28, expressed her continued drive to become “the best in the world.” In pursuit of this goal, she plans to form a new women’s doubles partnership with Arisa Igarashi, a two-time Olympic mixed doubles bronze medalist.
Meanwhile, Nami Matsuyama, 27, revealed she felt she had maximized her potential in women’s doubles. “I worked as hard as I could for the Olympics,” Matsuyama stated. “I couldn’t imagine myself getting even stronger, and I didn’t want to stand in the way of my partner aiming higher.” Matsuyama is now considering a move into mixed doubles, opening a new chapter in her career.
The duo will play their final competition on home soil together at the Japan Open, commencing July 15. Their last competitive outing as a pair will be the world championships in Paris, a city that holds special significance for them after their Olympic success.
“I’ve spent more time with Matsuyama than with my family,” Shida reflected, highlighting the deep bond formed over years of training and competition. “Since our last competition is in Paris, with which we have a special connection, I want to win the world championship there.”