Kaori Sakamoto: “I finished second at Worlds which was frustrating, but it reignited the “chasing” mindset I had at the beginning of my career. In that sense, this was an invaluable experience.”
“Step-by-Step, But with Dynamic Jumps”: Kaori Sakamoto on Her Skating Career and Mindset
original source: number.bunshun.jp dd. October 7th 2025 by Hiromi Ishii
In a candid interview, Kaori Sakamoto speaks with table tennis star Kasumi Ishikawa about her training routine, the challenges of being a veteran in competitive figure skating, her dynamic jumping style, and how she handles mistakes and pressure both on and off the ice. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Sports Graphic Number Web.
“Q: Thank you for speaking with me after your practice. What time did your training start today?
Kaori Sakamoto: Compared to usual, it was a bit later today – practice started at 8 a.m. I practice five mornings a week, typically starting around 6:15 a.m.
Q: That’s quite early! Do figure skaters always train so early in the morning?
Kaori Sakamoto: Yes, it’s pretty common. For technical training, like jumps, we need separate sessions from public skating times, so early mornings are often the best option. Since June, I’ve been lucky to have a year-round practice facility, the Sysmex Kobe Ice Campus. My training environment has improved significantly compared to before. I thought this might reduce the number of early practices, but it turns out, I’m doing even more of them now! (laughs)
Q: The new season is kicking off soon. How did you feel during the preseason?
Kaori Sakamoto: My form during the offseason was relatively good compared to other years. Still, you never know how things will go until competitions start.
Q: This will be your ninth senior season. Over the past years, you’ve achieved incredible success, including three consecutive World Championships titles and a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics. You’ve now entered the veteran stage of women’s figure skating. Do you feel any personal changes compared to your early years, such as how you handle pressure?
Kaori Sakamoto: Nine seasons already – it really makes me realize how time flies. In the beginning, no matter how well I skated, it seemed impossible to secure a win. But in hindsight, that period made it easier to identify new challenges and address them. Back then, I was more focused on chasing others, thinking, “I want to beat this person!” or, “I need to surpass my previous performance!” That mindset made competing very enjoyable.
Once I started winning Grand Prix series events and achieving consecutive victories, though, my feelings shifted.
Q: What changed?
Kaori Sakamoto: My motivation when competing began to revolve around “not losing” or “absolutely wanting to win consecutive titles,” and I became overly conscious of those goals. At this year’s World Championships in March, I was perhaps more nervous than I’ve ever been. I finished second behind Alysa Liu from the U.S., which was frustrating, but it reignited the “chasing” mindset I had at the beginning of my career. In that sense, the World Championships were an invaluable experience – I realized it was just what I needed at this stage of my career.
Q: You’re known for your dynamic jumping style, a strength since your junior days. Were jumps always a natural ability for you?
Kaori Sakamoto: It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I spent most of my time practicing jumps – I loved them from the start. But I wasn’t a naturally gifted jumper. When learning new jumps in the beginning, it was tough. I picked up single jumps fairly quickly, but doubles and triples were much harder to master.
Even when I fell, I stayed positive. I’d think, “What if I try adjusting this next time?” That optimistic outlook kept me from developing a fear of jumping. My coach, Sonoko Nakano, offered advice as I experimented, which helped me develop a deep love for jumping.
Q: Can you tell when a jump will succeed the moment you take off?
Kaori Sakamoto: Definitely – it’s something I can sense the moment I leave the ice. On the other hand, there are also times when I think, “No, no, this isn’t going to work,” even before takeoff.
Q: How do you recover from situations like that?
Kaori Sakamoto: I try to minimize mistakes as much as possible. After taking off, I’ll adjust my axis mid-air to avoid a fall. If it’s a combination jump and the first one doesn’t go well, I’ll try to conserve energy to recover on the second jump. I’m constantly making split-second calculations while in motion.
Q: At the Olympics, I was so nervous I forgot how to execute my forehand shot in table tennis! (laughs) In my sport, you react and adapt based on your opponent, but figure skating is a self-contained discipline. Does that make it harder? Have you ever forgotten choreography during a performance?
Kaori Sakamoto: Forgetting choreography has happened a few times. But what’s different about skating is that you’re completely responsible for every aspect of your performance. There’s no one to compete with directly during your program, but that also means there’s no one to adjust to – your mental and physical readiness depends entirely on you.”
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