Kaori Sakamoto signed off her glittering career in style, clinching a fourth women’s singles title at the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague.
The 25-year-old delivered a near-flawless performance in her final competitive outing, scoring a personal best of 238.38 to finish on top of the podium. It marked a perfect farewell for one of the sport’s most consistent performers in recent years.
Golden Farewell on the Big Stage
Sakamoto’s victory adds to her previous world titles in 2022, 2023, and 2024, making her the first woman since Michelle Kwan to win four world championships.
Coming just weeks after securing silver at the Winter Olympics, the Japanese star showed remarkable composure and control in Prague to end her career on a high.
“There are no regrets. I gave it everything,” she said after her performance.
Japan Dominate Podium Battle
Fellow Japanese skater Mone Chiba secured the silver medal with a strong score of 228.47, continuing Japan’s dominance in the discipline.
Belgium’s Nina Pinzarrone completed the podium with bronze, scoring 215.20 after an impressive free skate.
Notable Absences and Missed Chances
Olympic champion Alysa Liu did not participate in the event, leaving the field open for others to challenge.
Meanwhile, American skater Amber Glenn slipped from third after the short program to finish sixth following a difficult free skate.
Ice Dance Event Still Open
In the ice dance category, Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson currently sit third after the rhythm dance with a score of 85.09.
The pair trail leaders Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, while Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier remain in second place.
The final standings will be decided in the free dance event.
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