“Better for me to pull a clear line”
World champion announces resignation – at the age of 26
06/20/2025 – 10:57 a.m.Reading time: 1 min.
So far, Japan’s figure skaters Kaori Sakamoto has been going well. Now she has decided to end her career.
The three-time figure skating world champion Kaori Sakamoto will end her career after the 2026 winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Japanese announced her resignation on the edge of an event in her hometown Kobe.
As a reason for her decision, Sakamoto referred to her age. “I would be almost 30 years old at the 2030 Olympics and I think this is impossible,” said Sakamoto. “I therefore believe that it is better for me to pull a clear line instead of continuing for two or three years next year.” She will celebrate her 26th birthday next April.
Sakamoto has been part of the world leadership in figure skating for years. Sakamoto won single bronze and team silver in Beijing in Beijing 2022. At the World Cup in Boston three months ago, the Asian won silver after three title gains.