Kaori Sakamoto: “The three-peat in the World Championships is just a milestone. I can’t just draw the line here. I strongly feel that next year I want to do something better than this year.”
Translation of Kaori Sakamoto comments about 2024 World Championships and third consecutive victory.
original source: nikkansports.com / nikkansports.com
Here’s a translation of Kaori Sakamoto comments about 2024 World Championships and Ilia Malinin made in the interview posted on Nikkansports.
Figure skater Kaori Sakamoto, who achieved a three-peat in the World Championships for the first time in 56 years commented to fan’s greetings and support, “I thought I would get used to it after the third time, but I didn’t,” she said with a wry smile. “But I’m extremely delighted.”
“I’m happy to have accomplished a feat not seen in 56 years,” she said while also adding, “I can’t stay where I am, I need to level up bit by bit.”
“The three-peat in the World Championships is just a milestone. I can’t just draw the line here. I strongly feel that I want to do something better than this year, next year,” she said passionately.
Her best total score this season was 226.13 which almost 10 points lower than her personal best of 236.09 set during the 2022 World Championships, prompting her to admit it’s gradually getting harder to beat her previous records. “With my current composition, I believe it’ll stay as it is.”
“I’m thinking of incorporating two lutzes and two flips. If I can do that, my base points will increase a little,” Kaori shared her content plans for next season.
She also plans to work on quadruple loop, saying “It might end without being brought out into the world. I’m also starting to feel that I enjoy dancing”, she added, talking about pursuing the improvement of expressiveness.
“The junior skaters are growing, and all senior skaters are achieving good results. I want to show that Japan is strong no matter how many years pass. We have watched Mao and her generation. Now, it’s our turn. I hope this wave will pass onto the next generation.” Kaori shared her desire for sports to continue growing in Japan.
Related topics: Kaori Sakamoto, world championship
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