Kaori Sakamoto Crowns Her Career with a Fourth World Title in Prague
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan has etched her name further into figure skating history, securing her fourth World Championship title at the 2026 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Prague. The 25-year-old delivered a stunning performance in the free skate, totaling 238.28 points, and capping off a remarkable career.
A Farewell Performance to Remember
This victory marks a poignant end to Sakamoto’s competitive journey, as she had previously announced her intention to retire after the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Though, she chose to compete one last time in Prague, a city where her international career began 13 years ago, and the decision proved fruitful. Performing before a sold-out O2 Arena, Sakamoto executed a flawless routine, free of errors.
Dominating the Competition
Sakamoto finished nearly 10 points ahead of her compatriot, Mone Chiba, who claimed the silver medal with a score of 228.47. This performance represented a personal best for Chiba, improving her previous top score by over ten points. Belgium’s Nina Pinzarrone secured the bronze medal, moving up from fifth place after the short program, achieving a career-high score of 215.20.
Reflections on a Stellar Career
“It was truly wonderful to finish like this,” Sakamoto shared at the post-competition press conference. “This season was really challenging, harder than I expected. I’m happy I could finish my career this way. If I had to choose one thing I’ll miss the most, it’s the process of training and coming up with new programs season after season.”
Sakamoto’s impressive medal collection includes a silver medal from the 2025 World Championships, a silver medal from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, and a bronze medal from the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. She also earned silver medals with Japan in the team event at both Olympic Games.
European Standings and Notable Performances
All three medalists achieved their personal bests in Prague. Nina Pinzarrone’s bronze medal marks her first World Championship medal, following two bronze medals at the European Championships in 2024 and 2025. The best European performer in the short program was Nina Pinzarrone, finishing fifth.
Amber Glenn of the USA was the only woman to successfully land a triple axel, but errors in her performance led to a sixth-place finish overall with a score of 203.12. Niina Petrokin of Estonia, the reigning two-time European champion, finished seventh with a score of 202.27.
Absences and Future Prospects
The championships were without defending champion and Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu of the USA, who withdrew due to a busy schedule and insufficient preparation time. Ami Nakajima of Japan finished ninth with a score of 200.00.
Slovakia did not have any representation in the women’s category, as Vanesa Šelmeková, a participant in the 2025 World Championships, is currently recovering from injuries.
FAQ
Q: Where did the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships take place?
A: The championships were held in Prague, Czechia.
Q: Who won the silver medal in the women’s category?
A: Mone Chiba of Japan won the silver medal.
Q: What is Kaori Sakamoto’s career highlight?
A: Winning her fourth World Championship title in Prague, marking the end of her competitive career.
Q: Who was the best European performer?
A: Nina Pinzarrone of Belgium was the best European performer, winning the bronze medal.
Did you know? Kaori Sakamoto began her international career in Prague 13 years ago, making her final competition in the same city particularly meaningful.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Nina Pinzarrone of Belgium – her bronze medal performance signals a rising star in European figure skating.
Explore more about the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships here.
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