“There are so many things I won’t know until I actually retire,” said Sakamoto but revealed her general plan: “I’ll perform in ice shows at first, but after a few years, I want to focus on being a coach.”
Kaori Sakamoto, the first Japanese female figure skater to compete in three consecutive Olympics, shares her reflections on her career, her upcoming retirement, and her hopes for Milano Cortina 2026.
original source: sponichi.co.jp dd. 31st January 2026 by Kohei Nishiumi
Interview with Kaori Sakamoto, the first Japanese woman to compete in figure skating at three consecutive Olympics. Having announced her retirement at the end of this season, this will be the culmination of her career. She spoke about her goals, her journey in the sport, and her life, which she describes as “rainbow-colored.” Here’s a translation of her comments.
“I’m really looking forward to the Olympics, and I want to keep fighting with myself until the very end. My goal is to win at least a silver medal in both the team and individual events, and I want to keep working hard until the last moment to achieve that.”
Sakamoto started skating at age four. As a child, she swam five times a week and skated three times a week. In second grade, she had to choose between advancing in competitive swimming or focusing on skating – a true crossroads in her life. She chose skating for a simple reason: “It was easy. I could breathe more easily.”
“There was no other reason. At the time, I still enjoyed skating, but swimming meant doing 200 meters and… it was just too tough. So, with that feeling, I thought, ‘With skating, I can breathe anytime,’” she laughed.
When she was in kindergarten, she quit after-school dance classes because she didn’t like being watched. “I was always someone who gave up after three days,” Sakamoto said. But she never quit skating, even when practice increased to six times a week. In high school, she suddenly wondered, “How many more years will Kaori skate?” – the first time she became aware of the end of her competitive career.
At her first Olympics in Pyeongchang, she placed fifth in the team event and sixth individually. At her second Olympics in Beijing, she won silver in the team event and bronze individually. After that, she decided, “There won’t be another eight years. I’ll finish in four.” Last spring, before traveling abroad for choreography lessons, she asked her longtime coaches, Sonoko Nakano and Mitsuko Graham, “Can I have some time to talk with you?”
“I’m thinking of ending my career after next season.” When she revealed this in their meeting, there was neither opposition nor surprise. “Then let’s do our best for the rest,” they said simply, and she began her final season with those words.
At the Japanese Nationals last December, Sakamoto won her fifth consecutive title and said, “Skating is the only thing I’ve been able to continue for so long. I think my life is rainbow-colored.” She chose “rainbow-colored” rather than “rose-colored” for a reason:
“Rose-colored sounds like only good things happen. But there are sad times, frustrating times, times when I want to run away or get lost… I’ve cried and struggled as much as I’ve had good times. It’s not just one color. That’s what I mean by rainbow-colored.”
From age four to 25, Sakamoto’s skating career continues, and she will add a new color in Milan.
After retiring, Sakamoto plans to start her second life as a figure skating coach. She said, “There are so many things I won’t know until I actually retire,” but revealed her general plan: “I’ll perform in ice shows at first, but after a few years, I want to focus on being a coach. I want to teach under Ms. Nakano and contribute to the Kobe Club, which she has nurtured with such care.” She hopes to pass on her experience to younger skaters.
Sakamoto will approach the Olympics with a “four meals a day” strategy. Since last July, she has received nutritional support from food giant Ajinomoto, improving her diet, which previously lacked sufficient quantity due to concerns about her weight. This has helped her condition and prepared her for her final stage. Her nutritionist, Rui Takashiba, explained:
“Since competitions often take place late, she eats her first dinner before her performance and a second after. The total amount is slightly more than a regular dinner.” This breakfast, lunch, dinner, dinner routine was practiced at this season’s NHK Trophy, GP Final, and Japanese Nationals, and she has a clear image of how it will work at the Olympics.
The first dinner mainly consists of carbohydrates for energy. Sakamoto’s go-to meal is “plain rice balls” and “dashi soup.” “Dashi soup is just instant broth dissolved in hot water, but she says, ‘When I drink it while nervous, I feel calm and can see myself objectively.’”
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