Sakamoto to Retire After Olympics Following World Championship Silver

Kaori Sakamoto secured the silver medal in the Women's Free Skating competition at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. The event took place at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 28, 2025.

The three-time world figure skating champion, a 25-year-old from Japan, announced her plans to retire following the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics the next year. This announcement was made to reporters in Kobe on Friday.

Sakamoto achieved a significant milestone last year by becoming the first woman in 56 years to win the figure skating world singles title three consecutive times. This accomplishment equaled the record held by American Peggy Fleming, who achieved the same feat between 1966 and 1968.

Sakamoto shared her perspective on her upcoming retirement, stating that she felt she had less than a year remaining in her competitive career. She acknowledged that competing in the following Olympics at the age of 29 was not an option. Her goal is to conclude her career in the year she turns 26.

In March, Sakamoto, who earned a bronze medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics, was unable to secure a fourth consecutive world title. She finished as the runner-up to American Alysa Liu in the competition.