Biography
Takahiko is the 2006 World Junior Champion as the 3rd of Japanese men's skater, 2006 Junior Grand Prix Final Champion as the 1st of Japanese men's skater, the silver medalist at the 2007-2008 Japan National Championships, and the bronze medalist at the 2006 NHK Trophy.
In 2008, Taka competed in the World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden for the first time, and was placed 8th, helping to earn three spots for Japan.
And in 2008-2009 season Taka finally made a breakthrough in the Grand Prix series. He won the gold medal at Skate America, the silver at Trophee Eric Bompard and the Final. And the silver medalst at the Japan National Championships.
Taka began skating at age five. His father Tsuguhiko Kozuka was a singles skater and competed at the 1968 Grenoble Olympics and his mother was also an ice-dancer. Now both of them are coaches in his hometown. His Main coaches are Nobuo Sato and Kumiko Sato. And their daughter Yuka Sato who is a former National and 1994 World Champion choreographs some of his programs. Taka often says he was moved by her performance at 1994 World Championships.
And his grand father Mitsuhiko Kozuka was also used to be a skater. He was the Manchurian (now called Northeast China) champion and also the originator of Aichi Skating Federation. There is the local competition named after Kozuka family; Kozuka trophy, the best skater at the competition receives Kozuka trophy though it has been renamed "Aichi Figure Skating Competition" now. If you'd like to see the photo of his family, please refer to this page !