Kaori Sakamoto: “There was a period when I struggled with my inner demons and almost gave up. But now I feel more confident.”
Kaori Sakamoto about her performance at the 2023 World Championships.
source: sports.ru by Maya Bagryantseva
Kaori Sakamoto: I didn’t sleep at all last night; the adrenaline rush was too high yesterday. In the morning I tried to sleep, but it was useless, so I got up and went back to the skating rink.
At night, I reviewed my program two or three times on video and replayed it a million times in my head. I’m terribly frustrated by the mistake on the flip, and I’m surprised that I was able to attach this triple jump at all.
But I often can’t calm down after the competitions; I go over for a long time what I did and how I did it. Each element is in front of the eyes.
I tried to understand why I didn’t get a lot of points on the double axel and what I could do to prevent this from happening again. At the World Championships, the content of the skaters’ routines is not much different; no one makes jumps more difficult than the triple lutz.
This means that the quality of the performance plays an even greater role, and I have to take the maximum GOE for my axel; this is my trump card, I know this.
To be honest, I have more disappointment than happiness. But let’s assume that this will definitely help me in the future.
There was a period when I struggled with my inner demons and almost gave up. It was very difficult for me to compete and train, but I managed and learned to focus on the right things. Now I feel more confident in my abilities.
At the same time, I’m still nervous and worried about everything. Yesterday I was shaking almost the entire program, although I usually leave all my nerves on a six-minute warm-up. So, probably, the failure on the flip happened for a reason.
But I understand that I should take points not only on jumps. Therefore, I now do a lot of dance training, including ballet lessons and different dance styles. I will continue to work in this direction; I like to open up from a new side.
I tried to follow how Russian skaters performed this season, but, of course, I didn’t have time to watch all the performances. I see how many new interesting girls in juniors have appeared there.
When Russian skaters are allowed to compete again, I think it will definitely give me motivation, and I will have to work even harder. I’m looking forward to this moment.
I will have to show my maximum every time in order to compete with them at the same level and fight for the victory.
Related topics: Kaori Sakamoto, world championship
quote “When Russian skaters are allowed to
compete again, I think it will definitely
give me motivation, and I will have to
work even harder.”
after 2 title and podium on international event wc and gp
for sure you will stay so far away to the medalist same as hoendrix never forget “a podium in sport without the best athlete is not desserved and dont got any little value ” whatever sport whatever the reason why the best athlete are not in the event
I really really like Kaori. That’s all!
Unlike many of the comments from Russian figure skating personalities about this Worlds competition (especially the always arrogant and bully Zhulin and that Eteri choreographer) Kaori’s words (and skating) show what excellence, sportsmanship, and a true competitive spirit look like. A true champion!