Sakamoto Secures Historic Fourth World Title, Announces Retirement
Prague, Czech Republic – Kaori Sakamoto of Japan etched her name further into figure skating history on Friday, securing her fourth World Championship title at the 2026 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Prague. The 25-year-old Sakamoto delivered a stunning performance in the free skate, totaling 238.28 points and cementing her dominance in the women’s singles competition. This victory also marks the conclude of a remarkable career for Sakamoto, who previously indicated her intention to retire after the recent Winter Olympics.
Sakamoto’s triumph at the O2 Arena wasn’t merely a win; it was a statement. She finished nearly ten points ahead of her compatriot, Mone Chiba, demonstrating a clear gap in skill and consistency. Belgium’s Nina Pinzarrone claimed the bronze medal, improving her position from fifth after the short program.
A Perfect Farewell
This World Championship win is particularly poignant as Sakamoto had already signaled her intention to retire following the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. However, she decided to compete one last time in Prague, and the decision proved to be a resounding success. Performing before a sold-out crowd, Sakamoto executed a flawless routine, free of any major errors.
“It was really great to finish like this,” Sakamoto said in a post-competition press conference. “This season was really tough, harder than I expected. I’m happy I could finish my career in this way.” She reflected on the process of training and developing new programs season after season as the aspect of skating she would miss the most.
Sakamoto’s career is decorated with accolades. She earned a silver medal at the Milan Winter Olympics and a bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. She also secured silver in the team event at both Olympic Games representing Japan. Her medal collection now includes four World Championship gold medals, along with a silver from last year’s competition.
Chiba and Pinzarrone Achieve Personal Bests
The podium wasn’t just a celebration of Sakamoto’s career; it was a showcase of rising talent and personal achievement. Both Mone Chiba and Nina Pinzarrone skated to new personal bests in Prague. Chiba’s score of 228.47 points represented an improvement of over ten points from her previous best.
“I was even more nervous than before the short program,” Chiba stated. “It was very hard to come back after the Olympics, but I’m glad it ended with a smile on my face.” Chiba finished fourth at the Milan Olympics.
Pinzarrone, a two-time European bronze medalist (2024, 2025), achieved a career-high score of 215.20, earning her first-ever World Championship medal. “It’s really strange, I don’t even have words for it,” the 19-year-old Belgian skater said. “I just tried to do my best. I didn’t have any expectations, I just tried to enjoy it. I’m very happy.”
Glenn and Petrova Finish Just Off the Podium
American skater Amber Glenn, who was third after the short program and successfully landed a triple axel, ultimately fell to sixth place with a final score of 203.12 after making several errors in her free skate. Estonia’s Niina Petrova, the reigning two-time European champion, finished seventh with a score of 202.27.
Absences and Slovakian Representation
The competition was notably missing defending champion and Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu of the United States. Ami Nakajima of Japan, who won bronze at the Milan Olympics, finished ninth with a score of 200.00.
Slovakia did not have any representation in the women’s singles competition, as Vanesa Šelmeková, who competed at the 2025 World Championships, was unable to qualify due to health issues. However, Adam Hagara will compete in the men’s free skate on Saturday, starting at 12:30 PM local time (UTC+2).
The 2026 World Figure Skating Championships continue with the men’s free skate, promising another day of thrilling competition and showcasing the best talent in the sport. Fans can follow the event for live updates and results from the ISU website.
