The first Japanese woman to win three consecutive World titles
In short: Kaori Sakamoto's rise in figure skating is defined by a relentless pursuit of perfection. From overcoming a stress fracture to becoming the first Japanese skater to win four World titles, her journey showcases a unique ability to transform competitive frustration into historic milestones.
Born in Kobe in 2000, Kaori Sakamoto began her skating journey on November 18, 2003. Her early career was marked by significant physical and mental hurdles. During the 2012–13 season, she suffered a stress fracture in her right shinbone, forcing her to stay off the ice in October and resume training without jumps in November. Despite these setbacks, she developed a reputation for resilience, often reflecting on her need to develop self-reliance after the absence of her longtime training partner, Mai Mihara.
Sakamoto's competitive trajectory reached a turning point during the 2018–19 season. After expressing frustration over missing podiums by fractions of a point, she won her first national gold medal at the 2018 Japan Championships, becoming the first skater to place ahead of Rika Kihira in senior competition. She continued to refine her technique, notably introducing the triple Lutz into her programs during the 2020 NHK Trophy, a move she attributed to increased strength training during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her dominance in the late 2010s and early 2020s solidified her legacy. Following Mao Asada's 2014 victory, she was the initial Japanese female champion, while also being the first woman to secure three straight World titles since Peggy Fleming (1966–1968). With four World titles by 2026, she remains the sole Japanese athlete across all categories to reach this milestone, joining the sport's most prestigious figures.
Beyond the ice, Sakamoto maintains a grounded personal life. She graduated from Kobe Gakuin University in September 2023 and announced her marriage in May 2026 to a fellow university alumnus. While she is celebrated for her technical prowess, she also finds balance through hobbies such as swimming and completing jigsaw puzzles.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Kaori Sakamoto
- Also: Wikidata — Kaori Sakamoto · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Kaori Sakamoto · CC0
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