Kaori Sakamoto: “Honestly, this result is disappointing. But coach Nakano told me, ‘Since you earned a silver, now it’s your turn to train an Olympic gold medalist.’ Maybe one day I’ll show up at the Games again, this time as a coach.”
Kaori Sakamoto concluded her competitive career with a silver medal at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
original source: Hochi News dd. 20th February 2026 / Hochi News 20th February
Kaori Sakamoto took home the silver medal in women’s figure skating at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Here’s a translation of her comments.
“Q: How are you feeling right now?
Kaori Sakamoto: Hmm… To be honest, I’m incredibly frustrated. I’ve been able to deliver under pressure in events like the Japanese Nationals and the World Championships. So, part of me just keeps thinking, ‘Why couldn’t I do the same here?’ It’s really frustrating.
Q: What did Coach Nakano say to you before the performance?
Kaori Sakamoto: She told me the same as always: ‘Kaori, you’re strong.’ That’s what she tells me, and it helped me go out there.
Q: You skated calmly at the start – how did it feel?
Kaori Sakamoto: The tension during the free skate was honestly about the same as in the short program – a good kind of tension. My body didn’t feel bad at all, but what happened out there, why it didn’t go as planned… I’m really not sure yet.
Q: How would you reflect on the four years since the Beijing Olympics?
Kaori Sakamoto: Four years ago, I earned a truly miraculous bronze medal in Beijing. Now, four years later, I aimed for gold but ended up with silver instead. Even though I’ve moved a step up on the podium, the fact that I feel frustrated shows how much I’ve grown over these past four years through experience and effort. I think I want to acknowledge that growth.
Q: You’ve been seen as the leader of Team Japan – what’s your perspective on that?
Kaori Sakamoto: I don’t think I’ve consciously acted as ‘the leader of Team Japan.’ I just tried to keep everyone’s spirits high because it was my last Olympics, and I wanted to take in every moment. During the team event, I was also able to cheer on our ice dance and pairs skaters, and I wanted Team Japan to have a bright, enjoyable time. Hearing people say, ‘I’m glad Kaori was here’ makes me really happy, even though I couldn’t fully deliver in my own performance.”
After completing her program, Sakamoto shared an emotional hug with her long-time coach Sonoko Nakano, bursting into tears. At the press conference, she reflected, saying, “Honestly, this result is disappointing. But Nakano-sensei told me, ‘Since you earned a silver medal, now it’s your turn to train an Olympic gold medalist.’ I’ll give my full support to my students so that I can guide them to the Olympics – maybe one day I’ll show up at the Games again, this time as a coach.”
Related topics: Kaori Sakamoto, Olympic Games
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