Takahashi (right) and Matsutomo, nicknamed 'Takamatsu', were the first non-Chinese pair to win gold since badminton was introduced to the Olympics in 1992. ― Reuters pic

TOKYO, Aug 20 ― Ayaka Takahashi, who won Japan’s first ever badminton Olympic gold with her doubles partner in Rio 2016, has retired conceding she no longer has the “inner fire” to compete.