Olympic champion figure skater Shizuka Arakawa indicated Tuesday she will sit out this year's Grand Prix series while giving priority to appearances in ice shows.
Arakawa said she will "probably not take part" in the Grand Prix series beginning in late October but did not make clear whether or not she will skate in the world championships in Tokyo next March.
Arakawa skipped the world championships held in Calgary, Canada, last month after winning the women's gold at the Turin Olympics in February. She has yet to make up her mind on whether to turn professional or continue competitive skating.
On Tuesday, Arakawa returned to Japan from her training base in the United States, where she fine-tuned her programs for ice shows and exhibitions. She said she will have a busy schedule with ice show skating until shortly before the new Grand Prix season starts this year.