London Olympic double bronze medalist Aya Terakawa of Japan confirmed that she has decided to retire from the sport on Wednesday.

"I have been able to continue competing on the front line longer than I thought I would," Terakawa said at a news conference.

Terakawa, 29, won bronze last summer in London in the 100-meter backstroke and 400 medley relay.

The Osaka native failed to make the team for Beijing, but bounced back in London under the guide of Norimasa Hirai, who also coached former two-time double Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima.