Sakamoto Kaori is headed to her third Olympic Winter Games* after the three-time world champion won her fifth consecutive Japan Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo on Sunday (21 December).
Two-time Olympic medallist Sakamoto topped the free skating with a 154.93 for a 234.36 overall to secure the lone women’s automatic berth at Milano Cortina 2026 in February.
She will be the first female Japanese figure skater to compete at three Games.
Sakamoto held off a valiant effort from 17-year-old Shimada Mao, who finished with 228.08. Chiba Mone was third on 216.24 with Nakai Ami, also 17, in fourth (213.56).
After her music ended – the Edith Piaf classic Hymne à l’Amour – Sakamoto covered her face with her hands, bursting into tears to mark her final career appearance at the Japan nationals, which she now has won six times.
“I was able to focus throughout the performance and I like to think I skated the way I’m capable of skating,” the 26-year-old Sakamoto said. “Really, I’m so satisfied with how I was today. It only truly hit me after the program that is it for me.
“I let it all out in both the short and free. I gave this competition everything I have.”
Sakamoto led by a mere 0.1 after the short program on Friday, and Shimada – who won silver for the second straight year – upped the pressure by surfacing on top of the free with only Sakamoto to go.
Taking a deep, deep breath and getting the customary pat on the back from her coach of 21 years Nakano Sonoko – who told her “the country would turn upside down if she didn’t win” – Sakamoto took to the centre of the rink.
And absolutely nailed it.
Her 154.93 was an unofficial season best, and it’s what was needed to deny Shimada, who will be one of Sakamoto’s heirs for the future, and outright grab her place on the Olympic team for a third time*.
Sakamoto won bronze in the singles and silver in the team event at Beijing 2022. In less than 50 days, we’ll find out if she can finally reach the Olympic summit.
“All my life, I’ve never been to stick it out in anything apart from skating,” she said. “When I took up the sport at three I had no idea what I would be getting into. Novice, juniors, seniors – it was all far from smooth sailing but I had an opportunity to experience a lot.
“Life is like a rainbow, as they say.”
*As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Winter Games, athletes’ participation at Milano Cortina 2026 depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at the Games.