Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto announced her retirement from professional competition during a press conference in Kobe on Wednesday [1], [2].
Sakamoto's departure marks the end of an era for Japanese figure skating, as she leaves the sport as one of the most decorated athletes in history. Her transition to coaching ensures her technical expertise remains within the sport to influence the next generation of skaters.
Sakamoto, 26 [1], reflected on the rigor of her training during the event. "I feel once again that practicing hard as an active athlete is truly youth," she said [1].
Her competitive record includes four Olympic medals across three different Games [1]. Most recently, at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, she secured silver medals in both the individual and team events [2]. She also holds the distinction of being the fourth Japanese woman to win the World Championships [1].
Throughout her career, Sakamoto consistently pushed the boundaries of her own performance. At the 2026 World Championships, she achieved a personal best total score of 238.28 points [2].
Looking toward the future, Sakamoto expressed a desire to follow in the footsteps of her mentor, Coach Nakano. "I want to become a teacher like Mr. Nakano, and I hope I can provide guidance in my own way," she said [1].
Sakamoto spoke about the origins of her passion for the sport, recalling a time when she said, "My future dream is to be a figure skater!" [3].
“"I feel once again that practicing hard as an active athlete is truly youth,"”
Sakamoto's retirement signals a shift in the landscape of women's figure skating. By moving into coaching, she aims to institutionalize the training methods that led to her four world titles and multiple Olympic medals, potentially stabilizing Japan's dominance in the sport as new talent emerges.
