Kaori Sakamoto: “I aim for Olympic silver or better. I want to win a medal right there on the spot. I don’t want to wait two and a half years like last time.”
Kaori Sakamoto, after winning her fifth consecutive national title, renewed her determination for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, aiming for silver or gold to complete her Olympic medal set.
original source: Nikkansports 22nd. December 2025 by Matsumoto Wataru / Hochi News dd. 21st December 2025 / sponichi.co.jp dd. 21st December 2025
Kaori Sakamoto (25), who led after the short program, claimed her fifth consecutive national title, becoming the fifth woman to do so, and secured her place on the Japanese team for the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February 2026 Here’s a translation of her comments.
The day after her victory, she reflected, “The feeling of fulfillment was so overwhelming that, for a moment, I almost forgot it was the Olympic season. Rather than the fact that I made the Olympic team, it really hit me that this was the end, and I was moved to tears.”
With 17-year-old Shimada’s strong performance just before her, Sakamoto could not afford any mistakes. Even after landing all seven jumps, she couldn’t let her guard down. “I was able to focus on each element. I’m satisfied with today’s performance,” she said through tears.
Not only has she supported many younger skaters, but she has also turned their challenge into her own strength. Before her performance, coach Sonoko Nakano encouraged her, saying, “If you don’t do your job, Japan will be in trouble.” Inspired by these unexpected words, Sakamoto said, “I want to beat the juniors and show my own strength.” Securing her third consecutive Olympic appearance – a first for a Japanese woman – she said, “It was a secret goal of mine. I’m proud to have achieved it without saying it out loud.”
In interviews, Sakamoto reflected, “I’m usually a quitter after three days, but skating is the one thing I’ve been able to stick with for so long. I’ve had so many experiences, and I feel like ‘life is rainbow-colored.’”
Even her usually tough coach Nakano was impressed: “There aren’t many people who can deliver under that much pressure.”
“The level of my goals for the third Olympics is different from the first and second; it’s not just about participating.” From the start of this season, Sakamoto set her goal for Milan as “silver or better,” and she emphasized that meaning once again: “I got bronze individually, and the team was originally third, then moved up to second after everything that happened. That’s why I want a genuine silver or better. I want to win a medal right there on the spot. I don’t want to wait two and a half years like last time.”
She also revealed that just before this season began, she was attempting the difficult triple axel in practice. Although she sometimes landed it with under-rotation, she said, “I got closer than ever before.”
Related topics: Kaori Sakamoto, Olympic Games
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