Nutritionist who worked with Sakamoto, recalled, “She was eating as little as a dieting high school girl. Her concern over weight sometimes led her to consume less than 1,000 kilocalories a day.”
Kaori Sakamoto on her struggles with nutrition.
original source: Tokyo Sports, 4th. December 2025
Kaori Sakamoto, after winning her fifth consecutive national title and securing her third Olympic berth, shared how a major overhaul in her nutrition helped her overcome past struggles and prepare for her final season. Here’s a translation of her comments.
Savoring the cheers at her last national championship as an active skater, Sakamoto said with excitement, “I was able to skate true to myself until the very end. I’ve always been someone who gives up after three days with most things, but skating is the one thing I’ve been able to continue for so long. It really made me feel like ‘life is full of colors.’”
However, until last season, she struggled with managing her condition. Due to the nature of the sport, weight management is necessary, but her concern over weight sometimes led her to consume less than 1,000 kilocalories a day. When nutrition isn’t properly replenished through meals, it’s a major negative for the body. She lost about 40 days of training a year due to poor health.
In response, Ajinomoto Co. launched a support initiative in July with the theme, “Let’s turn those lost 40 days into potential.” Nutritionist Rui Takashiba, who worked with Sakamoto, recalled, “My first impression was, ‘I can’t believe she can move on so little food.’ She was eating as little as a dieting high school girl, but I thought if she redirected her efforts, it would definitely lead to something good.”
According to Takashiba, until last season, Sakamoto’s body was in a state of “energy deficiency, which the body interpreted as starvation, causing it to go into energy-saving mode, resulting in decreased immunity and concentration.” To help her improve her eating habits, Takashiba used materials to explain in detail how her health issues arose.
Now, Sakamoto consumes an average of 2,300 kilocalories a day, including three main meals and snacks. “She actually burns more calories than that, but for her right now, this is the best number,” Takashiba analyzed.
They also worked to reduce her fear of eating. “At first, even if I told her, ‘Eat rice,’ I thought she’d be too scared to do it, so I said, ‘It’s okay to subtract something else.’ For example, if you eat more carbs, you can reduce fats – that kind of image,” Takashiba explained, gradually breaking down the barriers.
With less than 50 days left until her final Olympics, Sakamoto continues her efforts both on and off the ice. “I want to give a performance I can look back on with no regrets, feeling I gave it my all. Every day, I want to push myself, work seriously and earnestly, and practice enough to feel, ‘I’m ready now.’” Next, she aims to shed tears of joy on the ice in Milan.
Related topics: Kaori Sakamoto
Good for her !! We’re looking forward to see her compete !