Kaori Sakamoto to retire from figure skating after Olympic season
Kaori Sakamoto, a three-time world champion and Olympic silver and bronze medalist, plans to retire from competitive figure skating after the upcoming 2026 Olympic season, a move she previously hinted at over the past year.
"I feel like I have less than a year left," she said in her native Japan on Thursday, according to a Kyodo News translation. "I'll be 29 at the following Olympics (in 2030), which is out of the question. I'll try to bring things to a close the year I turn 26.
Advertisement
"I've made the decision really fast. I felt now was the time. I was more or less fixed on it since saying, 'I see two years as one cycle' last year."
Sakamoto, speaking at the opening of a new rink in her hometown of Kobe, said she plans to continue in the sport as a coach, according to Japanese media.
Sakamoto followed her 2022 Olympic team silver and individual bronze medals by becoming the first women's singles skater to win three consecutive world titles (2022-24) since American Peggy Fleming from 1966-68.
This past March, she earned silver at the worlds, just missing becoming the first woman to win four titles in a row since American Carol Heiss from 1956-60.
Advertisement
At worlds in Boston, she was fifth after the short program and improved to second in the free skate. She finished 4.99 points behind Alysa Liu, who won both programs to become the first American to claim a women's singles world title since 2006.
Sakamoto had the highest total international event score over the entire season, recording that in last fall's Grand Prix Series.
Sakamoto's short program for the 2025-26 season is set to "Time To Say Goodbye" by Sarah Brightman and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, a fitting choice for her final season and the Milan Cortina Games.
"Winning at least silvers in both the individual and team events (at the Olympics) would be mission completed," she said, according to Kyodo. "The time left is short, so I'll live each day to the fullest, and hopefully the results turn out to be what I'm wishing for."
Kaori Sakamoto
Kaori Sakamoto prepares for nerves, history at world figure skating championships
Kaori Sakamoto bids for a feat not seen in 56 years at the world figure skating championships.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
LeBron James on whether he will play in 2028 Summer Olympics
LeBron James on whether he will play in 2028 Summer Olympics During the first decade of his NBA career, LeBron James became a regular member of Team USA men's basketball. He represented the United States in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, and he also participated in the 2006 FIBA World Championship (now known as the FIBA World Cup). He won the gold in 2008 and 2012, although Team USA only came away with a bronze medal in 2004, something James is criticized for to this day. After the United States failed to medal in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, James, along with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and other veteran NBA superstars, quickly volunteered to compete in the 2024 Olympics. Thanks to their help, Team USA regained the gold. There are some who have been wondering if James, who is 40 years of age, may wear the red, white and blue once again in 2028 when the Summer Olympics take place in Los Angeles. But he told Hollywood Reporter that it probably won't happen. 'Nothing has changed. Where we at, man, 2025 right now? (Laughs) Nah, nothing has changed. I mean, if I had to look at it right now through a microscope, I would say that, me being able to support Team USA for the rest of my life — that's for sure. But me actually going on and playing, I don't see it happening. 'I've given everything that I have, and I will always be appreciative and loyal and dedicated to Team USA and USA Basketball.' In all, James has won three Olympic gold medals. The record for men's basketball is held by Durant, who also took part in the 2016 Summer Games, as well as the subsequent Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Recent NFL projection may have gifted every Eagles rookie with extra motivation
Recent NFL projection may have gifted every Eagles rookie with extra motivation An NFL rookie projection speaks loudly, but the Eagles will speak even louder. Five years after Kobe Bryant's untimely passing, his 'Mamba Mentality' still provides quite the intriguing study. It has shifted from attitude to philosophy, a theory shared by Philadelphia Eagles, NBA stars, and even the hardworking men or women at the office. Most of the general public won't ever drop 81 points in a single professional basketball game. Heck, most NBA stars won't do that. They'll have to find contentment in the building blocks, an unquenchable thirst to be the best at something. What does that have to do with football, you ask? Well, thank you for asking the question. Though they're young, there may be some baby 'mambas' growing at the NovaCare Complex, and if they're anything like Kobe, they'll do anything to find some added motivation. They won't have to look too hard. just gifted them with a heavy dosage. An NFL All-Rookie Team projection is embarrassingly void of any Eagles Gennaro Filice is a deputy editor at He doesn't pick up the pen or pluck keys on the keyboard very often, but when he does, what he offers isn't to be missed. Recently, he tried his hand at projecting the members of the 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team. Not a single Eagle was mentioned. Call it an embarrassment. Call it an oversight. Whatever you call it, if this draft class is what we think it is, it can certainly be viewed as motivation. Now, everyone could play the devil's advocate. Maybe the theory is that Jihaad Campbell won't be healthy early. Maybe he'll miss too many important snaps. Then again, the thinking could be something else. How about another theory while the wheels are turning? This is Zack Baun, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Cooper DeJean, Reed Blankenship, and Quinyon Mitchell's defense. They'll be the young leaders Vic Fangio relies upon. Maybe the theory is that Andrew Mukuba and Ty Robinson will be part of a heavy rotation at their respective positions. That being said, there may not be enough snaps for them to make a case to be placed ahead of early favorites to make the all-rookie team. The argument makes sense. Still, that isn't exciting enough. Most would prefer the more emotion-filled response to projection. This list is disrespectful. It should be viewed as fuel for the rookie's fire, and this entire season should be treated like a revenge tour. Perhaps, it's off-base, but that's how Mamba Mentality works. Find motivation in everything, even if you have to make up your own. After all, that's exactly the strategy Kobe used sometimes.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Women's Asian Cup qualifiers moved from Jordan to Qatar amid Israel-Iran conflict
Group A fixtures in the upcoming Women's Asian Cup qualifiers have been postponed and moved from Jordan to Qatar amid conflict between Israel and Iran. Jordan, Iran, Lebanon, Singapore, and Bhutan comprise the group, with matches initially due to take place in Amman — the capital of Jordan — between June 23 and July 5. Advertisement The Football Association of Singapore said in a statement on Thursday that its matches would no longer take place in Jordan due to the 'ongoing situation in the region and logistical concerns raised by several Participating Member Associations (PMAs) as reasons for the change.' The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed on Friday that matches would instead be taking place in Qatar between July 7 and July 19, with the draw for the final tournament set to take place on July 29. The AFC said further details on the venues and match timings for the Group A qualifiers will be announced 'in due course'. Jordan is a neighbouring country of Israel, with Amman approximately 110km east of Tel Aviv, and is separated from Iran by Iraq. On June 13, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iran and the countries have since been exchanging missile attacks. Singapore captain Rosnani Azman said, via the Singapore team website: 'Of course we were looking forward to competing, but safety comes first. As a team, we've always believed in adapting and staying ready. We'll keep training hard and supporting one another, and make sure we're ready when the time comes.' The Women's Asian Cup, hosted in Australia, takes place from March 1 to March 21 2026, with Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast its host cities. China beat South Korea 3-2 in the 2022 Asian Women's Cup final to claim a record-extending ninth title in Navi Mumbai. They, along with Australia, South Korea and Japan, have automatically qualified for next year's main tournament. (A photo of the Iran women's team at the 2022 Asian Cup, Indranil Mukherjee/AFP via Getty Images)
