Kaori Sakamoto Ends Legendary Career with Fourth World Figure Skating Title
MONTREAL — In a performance that blended artistry, resilience, and historic achievement, Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto bid farewell to competitive figure skating by capturing her fourth world championship title on Friday. The 23-year-old became the first woman to win four consecutive World Figure Skating Championships since American Peggy Fleming’s three-peat from 1966 to 1968, cementing her legacy as one of the sport’s most decorated athletes of the modern era.
Sakamoto’s victory at the 2026 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal was not just a triumph of skill but a masterclass in mental fortitude. After a shaky short program that left her in fourth place, she delivered a near-flawless free skate to leapfrog competitors and reclaim the top spot on the podium. The 6,000 fans in attendance erupted in cheers as she landed six triple jumps, including a flawless triple flip-triple toe combination, and skated to a medley of “Wild is the Wind” and “Feeling Solid.” Her final score of 222.96 points left her more than 10 points ahead of silver medalist Isabeau Levito of the United States and bronze medalist Chaeyeon Kim of South Korea.
“I can say goodbye with this performance,” Sakamoto told reporters after the competition, her voice steady but her eyes glistening. “This was the perfect way to end my career—with a gold medal and the love of the crowd.” Her words echoed the sentiment of a skater who had spent the past decade redefining excellence in women’s figure skating, balancing technical precision with emotional depth in a way few athletes have matched.
A Career Defined by Firsts and Records
Sakamoto’s journey to this final victory was marked by milestones that reshaped the sport. She first burst onto the international scene at the 2018 Four Continents Championships, where she won bronze as a 15-year-old. By the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she had already secured a bronze medal, becoming the first Japanese woman to stand on the Olympic podium in singles figure skating since Shizuka Arakawa’s gold in 2006. That same year, she claimed her first world title in Montpellier, France, a feat she would repeat in 2023 and 2024 before this year’s crowning achievement in Montreal.
Her dominance over the past four years is unparalleled in modern women’s figure skating. Before Sakamoto, no woman had won three consecutive world titles since Fleming’s streak nearly six decades ago. Her consistency at the highest level—despite the pressures of Olympic cycles, coaching changes, and the physical toll of elite competition—has drawn comparisons to legends like Michelle Kwan and Yuna Kim. Yet Sakamoto’s style has always been distinctly her own: a blend of technical brilliance and understated elegance, often described as “poetry in motion” by commentators.
One of the defining moments of her career came in 2024, when she overcame a rare stumble in the short program at the World Championships in Montreal to deliver a free skate that left judges and audiences in awe. “I was disappointed after the short program,” she admitted at the time. “I didn’t feel nervous, but I couldn’t switch into competition mode. I knew I couldn’t afford another mistake.” Her ability to rebound from adversity became a hallmark of her career, earning her respect not just as a champion but as a role model for young skaters worldwide.
The Final Performance: A Night of Emotion and Precision
Friday’s free skate in Montreal was a microcosm of Sakamoto’s career: a mix of technical perfection and emotional storytelling. After a rocky start in the short program—where she received an edge call on her triple Lutz and a level-three step sequence—she entered the free skate with a deficit to overcome. What followed was a masterclass in focus and execution.
Sakamoto opened her routine with a crisp triple flip-triple toe combination, followed by a series of flawless jumps, including a triple loop and a triple Salchow. Her spins, all awarded level-four marks, were a testament to her precision, while her footwork and transitions showcased the artistry that has set her apart from her peers. The only minor blemish was another edge call on a triple Lutz, but it did little to diminish the impact of her performance.
“After my triple-triple combination, the roar of the crowd was really, really loud,” Sakamoto recalled. “I thought to myself, ‘If I ride this excitement, I will be spinning my wheels and I will not be able to finish properly.’ So I tried to keep myself calm until the end.” That calmness was evident in her demeanor, even as the weight of the moment bore down on her. When she finished, the Bell Centre erupted in a standing ovation, and Sakamoto finally allowed herself to smile—a rare moment of unguarded emotion from a skater known for her composure.
Legacy Beyond the Medals
While Sakamoto’s medal count is staggering—four world titles, an Olympic bronze, and multiple Grand Prix Final victories—her impact on figure skating extends far beyond hardware. She has been a trailblazer for Asian skaters, particularly in Japan, where she followed in the footsteps of legends like Mao Asada and Yuzuru Hanyu. Her success has helped shift the narrative around women’s figure skating, proving that consistency and artistry can coexist with technical difficulty in a sport often dominated by flashier, riskier elements.
Off the ice, Sakamoto has been equally influential. Known for her humility and work ethic, she has inspired a generation of young skaters to prioritize personal growth over perfection. In interviews, she has often spoken about the mental challenges of competition, openly discussing the pressures of expectation and the importance of self-belief. “I want people to remember that it’s okay to make mistakes,” she said in a 2023 interview with Olympic.org. “What matters is how you reach back from them.”
Her retirement leaves a void in women’s figure skating, but it also opens the door for a new era of competition. With rising stars like South Korea’s Chaeyeon Kim and the United States’ Isabeau Levito—both of whom stood on the podium with Sakamoto in Montreal—waiting in the wings, the sport is poised for a fresh chapter. Yet few will forget the skater who redefined what it meant to be a champion.
What’s Next for Sakamoto?
While Sakamoto has not announced specific plans for her post-skating career, she has hinted at staying involved in the sport in some capacity. In a recent interview with NHK, she expressed interest in coaching and mentoring young skaters, though she emphasized the need for a break after more than a decade of competitive pressure. “I want to take some time for myself first,” she said. “But I know I’ll always be connected to skating.”
For now, Sakamoto’s focus is on celebrating her achievements and the journey that brought her to this moment. As she stood on the podium in Montreal, flanked by Levito and Kim, it was clear that her legacy was secure—not just as a four-time world champion, but as one of the most beloved figures in the history of the sport.
Key Takeaways from Sakamoto’s Career
- Historic Dominance: Sakamoto is the first woman to win four consecutive world titles since Peggy Fleming (1966–1968) and the first Japanese skater to achieve this feat.
- Olympic Success: She won bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, becoming the first Japanese woman to medal in singles figure skating since 2006.
- Resilience Under Pressure: Known for her ability to rebound from setbacks, Sakamoto’s 2024 and 2026 world titles came after overcoming early mistakes in the short program.
- Artistry and Precision: Her routines were celebrated for their technical difficulty and emotional depth, often described as “poetry in motion.”
- Influence Beyond Medals: Sakamoto’s humility and openness about mental health have made her a role model for young athletes worldwide.
What Happens Next?
With Sakamoto’s retirement, the focus now shifts to the next generation of figure skaters. The 2026–2027 season will kick off with the ISU Grand Prix series in October, where rising stars like Chaeyeon Kim and Isabeau Levito will gaze to build on their recent successes. Meanwhile, the figure skating community will gather later this year to celebrate Sakamoto’s career at the ISU’s annual awards ceremony, where she is expected to receive multiple honors for her contributions to the sport.
For fans, the best way to stay updated on the latest developments in figure skating is to follow official channels like the International Skating Union (ISU) and national federations such as Japan Skating Federation. As the sport moves forward, one thing is certain: Kaori Sakamoto’s legacy will endure as a benchmark for excellence, artistry, and grace.
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