“Winning the medal in Beijing was a great turning point. Now, every category is stronger, so if we all unite, I hope we can win a medal of an even better color than last time.” Kaori Sakamoto on the Olympic Team event
Kaori Sakamoto, who will represent Japan in women’s figure skating at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, has expressed her strong desire to win a team gold medal.
original source: Tokyo Sports, 16th January 2026
Kaori Sakamoto, Japan’s representative for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, is determined to lead the team to gold in the figure skating team event and aims for her best results in her final Olympic season. Here’s a translation of her comments.
At the an open practice in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on the January 16th Sakamoto said powerfully, “Winning the (silver) medal in Beijing (2022) was a great turning point. Now, every category is stronger, so if we all unite, I hope we can win a medal of an even better color than last time.”
The Milan-Cortina Olympic team is made up of many fresh skaters. “Honestly, I don’t know exactly who will be on the team, but I think most of them are first-timers. I think my strength is being able to energize the group, so even though I’ll be nervous, I want to brighten the atmosphere and help everyone enjoy the Olympic stage,” she said with a smile. According to those involved, she is quietly making plans to bring the team together.
After the team event comes the individual competition, where Sakamoto won bronze at the Beijing Olympics. “In the team event, I hope to give a performance that will be a good start for the individual event. Of course, I’m aiming for a medal better than silver, and if possible, gold. I want us all to work together and do our best.” Determined to achieve the best results in her final Olympic season, Sakamoto is ready to fulfill her role both on and off the ice.
Related topics: Kaori Sakamoto, Olympic Games
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