Gliding Through Greatness
Kaori Sakamoto
Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto signed off in style on Friday by capturing the women's gold medal at the world championships in Prague, the final event of her competitive career.
This photo collection looks back at the 25-year-old Kobe native's achievements, which include four world championship victories, four Winter Olympic medals, and titles at the Grand Prix Final and Four Continents.
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto wipes away tears of joy after winning the women's gold medal at the world figure skating championships in Prague on March 27, 2026. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto wipes away tears of joy after winning the women's gold medal at the world figure skating championships in Prague on March 27, 2026. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto reacts after receiving her score in the women's free skate at the world figure skating championships in Prague on March 27, 2026. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto reacts after receiving her score in the women's free skate at the world figure skating championships in Prague on March 27, 2026. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto performs in the women's free skate at the world figure skating championships in Prague on March 27, 2026. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto performs in the women's free skate at the world figure skating championships in Prague on March 27, 2026. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan performs in the figure skating exhibition gala at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 21, 2026, at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan performs in the figure skating exhibition gala at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 21, 2026, at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan strikes a finishing pose in the women's figure skating short program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 17, 2026. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan strikes a finishing pose in the women's figure skating short program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 17, 2026. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan performs in the women's figure skating short program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 17, 2026. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan performs in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto (L) and Ami Nakai pose with their women's figure skating silver and bronze medals at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto (L) and Ami Nakai pose with their women's figure skating silver and bronze medals at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto (C) poses with her Junior Grand Prix Yokohama gold medal alongside compatriots Marin Honda (L) and Mako Yamashita, who won the silver and bronze, respectively, at Shin Yokohama Skate Center in Yokohama on Sept. 11, 2016. (Kyodo)Kaori Sakamoto (C) poses with her Junior Grand Prix Yokohama gold medal alongside compatriots Marin Honda (L) and Mako Yamashita, who won the silver and bronze, respectively, at Shin Yokohama Skate Center in Yokohama on Sept. 11, 2016. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto (C) poses with her Junior Grand Prix Yokohama gold medal alongside compatriots Marin Honda (L) and Mako Yamashita, who won the silver and bronze, respectively, at Shin Yokohama Skate Center in Yokohama on Sept. 11, 2016. (Kyodo)Kaori Sakamoto (C) poses with her Junior Grand Prix Yokohama gold medal alongside compatriots Marin Honda (L) and Mako Yamashita, who won the silver and bronze, respectively, at Shin Yokohama Skate Center in Yokohama on Sept. 11, 2016. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto poses after winning Japan's national figure skating championships in Kadoma, Osaka, on Dec. 23, 2018. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto poses after winning Japan's national figure skating championships in Kadoma, Osaka, on Dec. 23, 2018. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto performs in the women's figure skating short program at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, on Feb. 21, 2018. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto reacts after her performance in the women's figure skating short program at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, on Feb. 23, 2018. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto (C) waves to the crowd after winning the women's title at the Four Continents figure skating championships in Taipei on Jan. 26, 2018, alongside compatriots Mai Mihara (L) and Satoko Miyahara, who finished second and third, respectively. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto (C) waves to the crowd after winning the women's title at the Four Continents figure skating championships in Taipei on Jan. 26, 2018, alongside compatriots Mai Mihara (L) and Satoko Miyahara, who finished second and third, respectively. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan performs in the women's figure skating free skate at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Feb. 17, 2022, at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing. (Kyodo)
Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto performs in the women's short program at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Feb. 15, 2022, at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan performs during the figure skating exhibition gala at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Feb. 20, 2022, in Beijing. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan poses with her women's figure skating bronze medal at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Feb. 18, 2022, in Beijing. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan poses with her women's figure skating bronze medal at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Feb. 18, 2022, in Beijing. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan performs in the women's free program at the Grand Prix Final figure skating competition in Beijing on Dec. 9, 2023. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan performs in the women's free program at the Grand Prix Final figure skating competition in Beijing on Dec. 9, 2023. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto takes a selfie after going back-to-back as women's figure skating world champion at Saitama Super Arena in the eastern Japan city of Saitama on March 24, 2023. (Kyodo)
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto takes a selfie after going back-to-back as women's figure skating world champion at Saitama Super Arena in the eastern Japan city of Saitama on March 24, 2023. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan performs in the women's short program at the world figure skating championships in Montreal on March 20, 2024. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan performs in the women's short program at the world figure skating championships in Montreal on March 20, 2024. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan celebrates after winning gold at the world figure skating championships in Montreal on March 22, 2024. (Kyodo)
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan celebrates after winning gold at the world figure skating championships in Montreal on March 22, 2024. (Kyodo)
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