Kaori Sakamoto: “I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied unless I won gold at Worlds, and I was able to achieve that. I can leave the sport with a clear heart. Right now, I feel incredibly happy.”
Kaori Sakamoto ended her competitive career with a record fourth World Championship title, setting new personal bests and finishing with a gold medal
original source: sponichi.co.jp dd. 288th March 2026 / Nikkansports dd. 28th March by Daisuke Fudjisuka / Nikkansports dd. 28th March by Daisuke Fudjisuka
Kaori Sakamoto reflected on her 20-year skating career after winning her fourth World Championship title, expressing gratitude for her journey and relief at leaving behind the pressures of competition. Here’s a translation of her comments.
About an hour and fifty minutes after her last performance, she reflected at the press conference: “This season was much tougher than I had imagined. There were many times when things didn’t go as I hoped or as I wanted.” She added, “But in the very end, I won the gold medal and can leave the sport with a clear heart. Right now, I feel incredibly happy,” she said with a bright smile.
She had previously decided that the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February would be her last, but after a disappointing silver medal there, she felt, “It was the most frustrating experience I’ve ever had,” she recalled. “I couldn’t give it my all. I could have done a bit more. Since my body can still move, it would be a waste to quit now,” and resolved to compete at Worlds. In the SP on the 25th, she landed all three jumps and scored a season-best 79.31 points. “Rather than aiming for a fourth title, I wanted to leave the sport with no regrets,” she said.
She had already decided to compete at Worlds before returning to Japan. Initially, she told substitute Rinka Watanabe to be prepared, but after returning home and reporting her decision, Watanabe encouraged her, saying, “I want to see you do your best, so please compete.” Sakamoto recalled, “In the last week, I was able to raise my condition enough to skate both the short and free programs almost perfectly, and I was able to win a medal. The month after the Olympics was truly enjoyable,” she said, looking back with satisfaction.
Her coach Sonoko Nakano suggested, “If you’re going to compete, take about a week off.” Sakamoto said, “I spent about ten days off the ice, doing what I liked and resetting my mind and body before resuming training.” Her condition had dropped, but she recognized it and worked desperately to improve during a turbulent month.
The final brush-up was “even fun. Every day felt fulfilling in practice. The month after the Olympics was truly enjoyable,” she recalled with a smile. “I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied unless I won gold at Worlds, and I was able to achieve that. All’s well that ends well.” Sakamoto’s radiant smile shone in Prague, the site of her triumphant farewell.
Sakamoto became the first Japanese skater to win four world titles across all disciplines, brilliantly concluding her 21-year career. She described her life as “rainbow-colored,” full of emotions, and when asked what color her future would be, she replied, “I’ll add glitter to my rainbow from now on,” smiling. She moves forward to a coaching career with no regrets.
Related topics: Kaori Sakamoto, world championship
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