PRAGUE – Kaori Sakamoto of Japan delivered a breathtaking performance in Prague on Friday night, securing her fourth World Championship title and bringing a remarkable competitive career to a close. The victory at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships, held at the O2 Arena, cemented Sakamoto’s place among the sport’s all-time greats.
The question of whether holding a World Championships just five weeks after the Olympics was justified had been a topic of debate among fans, but the energy of the 20,000 in attendance quickly dispelled any doubts. Sakamoto’s performance was a fitting culmination to a career defined by artistry and technical prowess.
Sakamoto is the first woman since Michelle Kwan, who won five World Championships, to achieve four gold medals at the event. Her final free skate score of 158.97 points set a new personal best, contributing to an overall score of 238.28.
A Champion’s Authenticity
The 25-year-ancient Sakamoto has captivated fans not only with her skating ability but too with her genuine and unfiltered personality. Known for her emotional honesty, she doesn’t shy away from expressing her feelings – whether through tears of joy, unrestrained laughter, or even a pointed eye-roll when faced with a challenging question. Her reaction to her score in Prague, a jubilant mix of screams and leaps, perfectly encapsulated her spirit.
“If there is perfection in figure skating, the Japanese skater came close to it in the free skate,” reported observers at the event. Sakamoto flawlessly executed seven triple jumps, combined with exceptional spins and step sequences, creating a performance that resonated deeply with the audience. The arena erupted in a standing ovation, with many spectators moved to tears.
“It was the most emotional evening of my life,” one fan shared on social media. Another wrote, “I’ve been watching figure skating for over twenty years, but I’ve never been so touched. I was sobbing.”
Iconic Music Choices
Sakamoto’s final competitive season was underscored by carefully selected music that held personal significance. She skated to “Time to Say Goodbye” in the short program, choreographed by Benoit Richaud and to Édith Piaf’s classic “Je ne regrette rien” (“No Regrets”) in her free skate, with choreography by Marie-France Dubreuil.
“I wanted to specifically choose the song for the free skate and asked Marie-France Dubreuil to create the choreography,” Sakamoto explained. While acknowledging the emotional impact of the music on the audience, she added, “I know it’s emotional for the fans and they often cry during the performances, but there isn’t room for us skaters to get emotional with the music.”
A Career Defined by Triumph and Resilience
Sakamoto first claimed the World Championship title in 2022 in Montpellier, France, in the first major international competition held after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She successfully defended her title in 2023 in Saitama, Japan, and again in Montreal in 2024.
At the 2025 World Championships in Boston, she finished second to Alysa Liu, who had made a surprising return to competition after previously retiring. Liu also edged out Sakamoto at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan, where Sakamoto narrowly missed gold due to a mistake in her free skate. The difference between the two skaters was a mere 1.89 points. While Liu’s victory was widely accepted, some Japanese media outlets noted that a different scoring decision by a Japanese judge could have altered the outcome.
The disappointment in Milan was palpable, with Sakamoto visibly overcome with emotion. Despite the heartbreak, she initially planned to retire after the Olympics but ultimately decided to compete at the World Championships in Prague.
“After returning to Japan, I first contacted my alternate, Rinka Watanabe, who I had previously told to be prepared. I told her it was my last season and I really wanted to go to the World Championships. Rinka immediately replied that she wanted to notice me skate there,” Sakamoto recounted.
She then consulted with her coaches, who advised her to take at least a week off. She spent ten days away from the ice, allowing herself to rest both physically and mentally. “In the last week before the championships, I was already skating clean programs in practice,” she said.
Many consider Sakamoto to be one of the greatest figure skaters of all time. “I am grateful for that, but I also feel a little embarrassed. I was just doing my job. The legends of our sport are Midori Ito, Shizuka Arakawa, and Mao Asada. Honestly, I don’t see myself on their level,” she humbly stated.
But, her accomplishments and impact on the sport undoubtedly place her among those very legends. While she is retiring from competition, her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of skaters.
VIDEO: Kaori Sakamoto’s Free Skate at the 2026 World Championships in Prague
Sakamoto’s final performance marks the end of an era, but her influence on the sport will undoubtedly endure. As she steps away from the competitive arena, she leaves behind a legacy of artistry, resilience, and unwavering authenticity.
The next major event on the figure skating calendar is the ISU Junior World Championships, scheduled for March 29-31, 2026, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Fans can follow updates and results on the official ISU website: https://www.isu.org/
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