Kaori Sakamoto: “My main concern is overcoming the challenge of earning higher scores in European competitions.”
Kaori Sakamoto prepares for her final Grand Prix series, focusing on delivering a flawless performance and building confidence for the upcoming Olympic season.
original source: news.yahoo.co.jp dd. October 16th, 2025
The official practice session for the first event of the Figure Skating Grand Prix Series, held in Angers, France, took place on October 16 ahead of its opening on October 17. Here’s a translation of Kaori Sakamoto’s comments.
Kaori Sakamoto, who achieved three consecutive World Championship titles from 2022 to 2024 in the ladies’ category, practiced her free skate program titled “Hymne à l’amour” to assess her condition. While she made mistakes in her triple jump combination, she successfully landed a series of jumps, including a late-stage triple flip-triple toe loop combination. Her preparation seemed to be going well overall. “It’s not bad. I’m not nervous yet. I imagine I’ll feel excited and anxious once tomorrow comes,” she said.
Sakamoto, who has announced her retirement from competitive skating at the end of this Olympic season, shared that she is not preoccupied by the fact that this will be her last overseas Grand Prix, emphasizing this point with a smile. “Honestly, it doesn’t bother me at all. Instead, my main concern is overcoming the challenge of earning higher scores in European competitions.”
Looking ahead to the February Olympics, she stated this event is critical for her preparations. “I want to perform well here, gain confidence, and score points that reflect my abilities. My goal is to deliver flawless performances in both the short program and free skate,” she expressed with determination.
Related topics: Grand Prix de France, Kaori Sakamoto
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