Kaori Sakamoto: “I’ve always said that Akiko Suzuki is my inspiration. During her final season leading up to the Sochi Olympics, she used Hymne a l’amour for her short program. Ever since, I’ve thought, ‘When it’s my final season, I’ll skate to this music.’”
“Hymne à l’amour”: A Tribute to Her Idol
original source: news.yahoo.co.jp dd. October 17th, 2025
In an interview with TV Asahi’s sports program GET SPORTS, Kaori Sakamoto spoke about embarking on her final competitive season and paying tribute to her idol in her new program, “Hymne à l’amour.” Here’s a translation of her comments.
As her farewell season unfolds, Sakamoto has chosen Hymne à l’amour as the centerpiece of her free skating program. The music selection carries a meaningful connection to her idol, Akiko Suzuki.
“I’ve always said that Akiko Suzuki is my inspiration. During her final season leading up to the Sochi Olympics, Suzuki used Hymne à l’amour for her short program. Ever since, I’ve thought, ‘When it’s my final season, I’ll skate to this music,’” Sakamoto revealed.
Suzuki, who competed at the Vancouver and Sochi Olympics, was renowned for her exceptional expressive abilities – qualities that deeply influenced Sakamoto. In 2013, a young Sakamoto shyly expressed at a junior training camp, “Suzuki’s skill at appealing to the audience and showcasing artistry is amazing. I want to copy her and make it to the Olympics.”
Two years into her senior debut, Sakamoto received direct coaching from Suzuki. At the time, Sakamoto was working to enhance her expressiveness, transitioning away from monotonous skating. Suzuki taught her to create contrast and flow, introducing a technique of finding moments to ease tension during performances. This mentorship led to a remarkable evolution in Sakamoto’s artistry and helped her achieve Olympic success in Beijing.
In September, during the Japan Challenger Series, Sakamoto debuted her Hymne à l’amour program. Her performance mesmerized the audience. After landing early jumps, she showcased her signature step sequence, captivating the crowd. Her artistry earned the highest composition scores, giving her confidence in the program’s potential.
What did her idol, Akiko Suzuki, think of this program? “Kaori’s skating has such grandeur, and there’s a beautiful sensation of the performance expanding outward, like a song being sung and spreading. I’m excited to see it develop further. She’s likely faced difficult moments and challenges, but I hope she can put her whole essence into this program and show us, ‘This is Kaori Sakamoto.'”
Sakamoto, too, expressed how deeply connected she feels to the piece. “I’ve faced my own struggles and challenges, and I’ve worked hard along the way. Of course, I’ve also had joys and triumphs. This program feels aligned with my skating career and life. It’s a perfect reflection of myself.”
Related topics: Kaori Sakamoto
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