Kaori Sakamoto: “I just feel liberated (laughs). I’m truly glad I was able to compete in every event right up to the end.”
Kaori Sakamoto returned to Japan after her record fourth World title, expressing joy at her send-off and sharing her plans to begin coaching young skaters.
original source: Nikkansports 31st March 2026
Kaori Sakamoto (25), who achieved a record fourth World Championship title for Japanese women’s figure skating, returned to Japan on the March 31st. Here’s a translation of her comments.
Having ended her competitive career on a high note, Sakamoto beamed, “I just feel liberated (laughs).” Reflecting on her final World Championships, she said, “At the Olympics, everyone is focused on themselves, so there isn’t really an atmosphere of attention for those retiring. But at this Worlds, everyone congratulated me and said ‘good job’ – that made me really happy. I’m truly glad I was able to compete in every event right up to the end.”
She shared that a surprise party was held for her after the competition: “Everyone prepared cake and drinks, decorated the room, and we partied until dawn (laughs). We sang and danced – it was so much fun.” To the younger skaters who will lead Japanese figure skating in the future, she offered, “All I can say is, do your best. If you stay true to yourself, people will notice. I hope you live authentically.”
Sakamoto will now begin her second career as a coach. “Rather than teaching juniors or seniors, I want to start by coaching little kids,” she revealed. The world champion added, “Coach Sonoko Nakano truly gave her all to raise me to this point, so I feel I must firmly inherit and carry on what was built at the Kobe Club. I want to raise the next skater who will go out into the world from scratch,” she said, expressing her determination and enthusiasm for her new path.
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