Kaori Sakamoto: “I’m relieved that all my jumps were satisfactory. If I make even one mistake, things can fall apart.”
Kaori Sakamoto leads the short program at the NHK Trophy Grand Prix event with a season-best score, aiming for a [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “Right now, I feel like I absolutely cannot afford even one mistake, so I want to stay strong and pull through.”
Kaori Sakamoto Prepares for NHK Trophy with Determination Despite Practice Challenges original source: [...]
“Am I really such a veteran? Is this what losing to the younger generation feels like? Wow.” Sakamoto admitted with a laugh. “It’s a completely new sensation for me.”
Kaori Sakamoto Focused on Growth and Fight for Olympic Qualification in Her Final Season original source: [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “The fact that I couldn’t win even with scores like these – it’s exciting. I’m feeling this special sense of adrenaline.”
Kaori Sakamoto Scores a Season Personal Best at Grand Prix France original source: Nikkansports, October 19th, 2025 [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “I’ve always said that Akiko Suzuki is my inspiration. During her final season leading up to the Sochi Olympics, she used Hymne a l’amour for her short program. Ever since, I’ve thought, ‘When it’s my final season, I’ll skate to this music.’”
"Hymne à l’amour": A Tribute to Her Idol original source: news.yahoo.co.jp dd. October 17th, 2025 [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “Yes, I want gold. I want gold so badly. I already have silver and bronze, so I need gold. I thought, ‘Losing is this frustrating? I never want to lose again.’ I want to win. I hate losing.”
The Road to Gold: Kaori Sakamoto's Final Olympic Journey Begins original source: news.yahoo.co.jp dd. October 17th, [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “My main concern is overcoming the challenge of earning higher scores in European competitions.”
Kaori Sakamoto prepares for her final Grand Prix series, focusing on delivering a flawless performance and building [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “I finished second at Worlds which was frustrating, but it reignited the “chasing” mindset I had at the beginning of my career. In that sense, this was an invaluable experience.”
"Step-by-Step, But with Dynamic Jumps": Kaori Sakamoto on Her Skating Career and Mindset original source: [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “As the end draws closer with every moment, I want to perform in a way that I can say I gave everything in every competition. I want each performance to feel like I left it all on the ice.”
Kaori Sakamoto Reflects on Final Competitive Season Ahead of Milan-Cortina Olympics original source: Hochi News dd. [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “Adeliia Petrosian didn’t attempt quad jumps during the qualifiers, but it’s obvious she’ll be landing them at the Olympics. I need to prepare myself mentally for what’s to come.”
Kaori Sakamoto Aims for Her Best in Final Competitive Season Before Retirement original source: Nikkansports, [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “Three years ago, my trainer told me as I get older, it would only get harder to skate if I kept relying on brute strength. Since then, I’ve worked on improving how I use my body.”
Kaori Sakamoto: Overcoming Challenges and Aiming for Olympic Success in Milan-Cortina original source: [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “I’ve realized that I was being too relaxed in my training sessions during the off-season. It’s like I was ‘Rapunzel,’ secluded and unaware of the outside world.”
Kaori Sakamoto kicked off her final competitive season at the Challenger Series Kinoshita Cup, finishing second [...]
“That result was within expectations. The probability of a clean program in practice hasn’t been high.” Kaori Sakamoto on the start of her season
Kaori Sakamoto, the reigning World silver medalist and two-time Olympian, began her farewell season at the Challenger [...]
“It feels like the time has finally come. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s not so much sadness or wishing I could keep going. So I want to enjoy the competition.” Kaori Sakamoto on start of her final season
Kaori Sakamoto expressed her determination and excitement ahead of her season debut at the Challenger Series Kinoshita [...]
“The days we have left to train together are limited, but as a fellow skater, I want to keep working hard to be a strong athlete, just as she is. I’m grateful for all that Kao-chan has meant to me.” Mai Mihara on Kaori Sakamoto’s decision to retire after this season
Mai Mihara reflects on Kaori Sakamoto's decision to retire after this season. original source: Tokyo Sports, August [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “I never imagined I would win an Olympic medal. Though I said during interviews that I was aiming for a medal, I didn’t believe I had much of a chance. When they placed the medal around my neck, I felt its weight and knew it was real.”
Kaori Sakamoto reflects on her Olympic experiences and strives for growth as she eyes Milan 2026. original source: [...]
“I’ll admit – I cried several times. It feels like we’ve completed a life cycle together.” Benoit Richaud on creating a program for Kaori Sakamoto in her last competitive season
Benoit Richaud reflects on his journey as choreographer for Kaori Sakamoto's final season. original source: Sports [...]
“I’m probably a total masochist!” and “To show skating that truly feels like me, I knew I needed his touch.” Kaori Sakamoto about working with Benoit Richaud for her final competitive season
Kaori Sakamoto reunites with Benoit Richaud for her final competitive season. original source: Nikkansports dd. [...]
“I hope we can support each other and keep pushing until the very end.” Kaori Sakamoto about her and Wakaba Higuchi’s last competitive season
Kaori Sakamoto and Wakaba Higuchi to fight alongside in their final season. original source: Nikkansports dd. June [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “I felt it’d be better to finish cleanly rather than dragging on for two or three more years. If I were to aim for the 2030 Olympics, I’d be 29 – it feels impossible.”
Kaori Sakamoto announces retirement following the Milano-Cortina Olympic season. original source: Hochi News dd. [...]
“It feels right to conclude my career at 26.” Kaori Sakamoto announces retirement at the end of the Olympic season
Kaori Sakamoto announces retirement at the end of the Milano-Cortina Olympic season. original source: Nikkansports [...]
“My strategy is not to look! I won’t pay attention to what’s happening around me. I’ll focus on myself.” Kaori Sakamoto about the potential return of the Russian skaters as neutrals
Kaori Sakamoto about World Team Trophy and preparing for the Olympic season. original source: Tokyo Sports dd. [...]
Shun Sato: “I was deeply impressed by Mao Asada. Her performance drew you in even when she wasn’t jumping — it was mesmerizing. I hope to create performances like that myself.”
Shun Sato about skating in shows and World Team Trophy. original source: Nikkansports dd. April 24th by Daisuke [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “I realized I’m surprisingly not good at quick movements. Next season, rather than focusing on dynamic movements, I want to compete by showcasing my skating skills.”
Kaori Sakamoto about preparation for the next season. original source: Nikkansports dd. April 20th 2025 [...]