On May 13, 2026, in Tokyo, at an official press conference announcing her retirement, Kaori Sakamoto, Japan's figure skating queen with four world championship titles, expressed gratitude for the 'priceless time' on the ice.
Sakamoto, 26, shared: 'For me, every step on the ice is a gift. It is priceless time that I will always treasure.' She also announced her marriage to a university friend, but declined to reveal details about the identity or the wedding date.
In her career, Sakamoto won gold at the World Championships in 2022, 2023, 2025, and 2026, along with a bronze medal in the women's singles at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. She was known for her flowing skating style and precise triple-triple jump combinations.
Sakamoto's departure leaves a big gap in Japanese figure skating, which is preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. Colleagues and fans sent congratulations and regrets on social media.
