“Winning the team silver with Team Japan. Everyone worked hard, and the performances were heartfelt – that’s my best memory.” Kaori Sakamoto on her Olympic memories
Olympic silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto expressed gratitude at the “Thank You Parade” in Tokyo, reflecting on the power of the Olympics and her determination to nurture future athletes as a coach.
original source: Nikkansports 25th April 2026
The “Thank You Parade” for the Japanese team from the Milan-Cortina Olympics and Paralympics was held on the 25th in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, where Kaori Sakamoto (26), who won silver medals in both individual and team events in women’s figure skating, expressed her gratitude. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Nikkansports.
This was the first parade held after a Winter Games. Having retired at the end of this season, Sakamoto said, “I realized the power of the Olympics is tremendous. In the last two Games I participated in, especially the previous one during the pandemic, there were few opportunities to directly receive words of thanks from so many people. This time, I was able to say ‘thank you’ directly myself, and I’m very happy.”
Sakamoto will now become a coach. With renewed determination, she said, “Seeing so many people supporting us, I want even more athletes to experience this view. I want to raise many athletes who can spread their wings to the world, and as many as possible who are watched over by so many people. I will do my best.”
On stage, during a Q&A session with kids as interviewers, she was asked about her Olympic memories and replied, “Winning the team silver with Team Japan. Everyone worked hard, and the performances were heartfelt – that’s my best memory,” she said with a bright smile. Sakamoto retired after winning her fourth world championship in March, the most by a Japanese singles skater, and will now become a coach. “I decided this Olympic season would be my last. I’m disappointed about the individual silver, but since we won the team silver, I have no regrets,” she expressed.
Related topics: Kaori Sakamoto
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