Speed skating: Retiring Takagi top after 2 distances at all-round worlds

Japan's retiring 10-time Olympic medalist Miho Takagi placed top after the first two of four distances at the speed skating all-round world championships on Saturday.The 31-year-old, the country's most decorated female Olympian, said Wednesday she will retire after the worlds at Heerenveen in the Netherlands.The Hokkaido native set herself up with the chance to finish her career on a high after coming top in the 500 meters, clocking 37.75 seconds, and seventh in the 3,000 in 4:03.37 at Thialf.Appearing in her final tournament, Takagi said, "I'm not thinking much about that. I want to prepar…READ FULL ARTICLE