Kaori Sakamoto’s much-anticipated farewell season began in Osaka with both excitement and a touch of tension. The reigning Olympic champion and three-time World Champion stepped onto the ice at the ISU Challenger Series Kinoshita Group Cup 2025 for what she has confirmed will be the start of her last competitive campaign. Despite the roaring cheers of a home crowd eager to celebrate her legendary career, Sakamoto finished fourth in the short program, setting up an intriguing free skate and reminding fans that Winter Olympic figure skating’s margins are razor-thin — even for its brightest stars.
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A Farewell Tour Toward Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026
For Sakamoto, 2025–26 is more than just another season. It is her curtain call, a farewell tour leading into Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026, where she hopes to defend her Olympic title before hanging up her skates. Her decision to compete this year has been seen as a gift to fans, many of whom have watched her grow from a promising junior to Japan’s most decorated female singles skater.
Coming into Osaka, the narrative was clear: Sakamoto would be tested against a hungry field of skaters, including rising Japanese stars and international challengers, all eager to prove themselves at the Challenger Series level. The short program offered a glimpse into how she plans to approach her final year — with programs that showcase her artistry, skating power, and emotional range, but perhaps with a bit more careful pacing as she builds toward peak form later in the season. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Lee Haein eyes Olympic Figure Skating stage as life’s ultimate happiness
A Mixed Short Program Performance
Sakamoto’s short program to “Libertango” was met with warm applause as she hit her opening triple flip cleanly. However, a slightly underrotated triple toe loop on the back end of her combination cost her valuable points. Her spins and step sequence were still world-class — receiving Level 4s across the board — but a stumble on the landing of the double Axel left her visibly frustrated as she exited the ice.
Her score of 68.42 was enough for fourth place, behind Japan’s Rinka Watanabe, South Korea’s Kim Chae-yeon, and Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx. Watanabe’s strong triple-triple combination and smooth execution allowed her to edge out the rest of the field, while Hendrickx’s trademark performance quality kept her in podium contention.
Sakamoto’s coach, Sonoko Nakano, remained optimistic, telling reporters afterward, This is the first step in a long season. We are focusing on pacing, building consistency, and ensuring she is ready for the Grand Prix Series and, most importantly, for the Olympics. There is no need to panic.
Winter Olympic 2026: Emotional Connection with the Crowd
The Osaka crowd responded with warmth and respect, rising to give Sakamoto a standing ovation despite the minor mistakes. For many, this was about more than scores or placements — it was a chance to honor a skater who has carried Japanese women’s Winter Olympic figure skating through one of its most successful eras. Fans waved flags and held up signs thanking her for her career, some already emotional at the thought of saying goodbye. Social media lit up with messages of support.
Building Toward the Grand Prix
The Challenger Series is often used as a tune-up event, and Sakamoto has made it clear that she is prioritizing health and endurance management this year. After an intense 2024–25 season that saw her capture her third World title, she took some time to recover before beginning training for this final campaign.
The next stop for Sakamoto will be the NHK Trophy, where the competition will be even deeper, with names like Lee Hae-in, Isabeau Levito, and Ava Marie Ziegler set to join the field. The Challenger Series result, while not ideal, may actually serve as motivation — a reminder that the path to Olympic glory is never easy.
Legacy in Japanese Winter Olympic Figure Skating
Kaori Sakamoto’s influence on Japanese Winter Olympic figure skating cannot be overstated. She has been the face of the sport for nearly a decade, winning back-to-back World titles in 2022 and 2023, then making history as the first Japanese woman to win three. Her consistency, powerful skating style, and resilience under pressure have inspired a new generation of skaters, many of whom are now entering the senior ranks.
Experts have noted that her choice to continue through Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 gives Japan a major boost heading into the Olympic year, where women’s singles is expected to be one of the most competitive events. Her leadership will be crucial not just for her own medal hopes but also in mentoring younger teammates who may be experiencing their first Olympics.
Winter Olympic 2026: Rivals Rise as Competition Heats Up
Sakamoto’s fourth-place finish also highlighted the strength of the field. Rinka Watanabe, who narrowly missed making the 2022 Olympic team, seems determined to cement her place as Sakamoto’s heir apparent. Her clean program earned her a season’s best score of 72.10 and put her in the driver’s seat for the free skate.
Meanwhile, Kim Chae-yeon continues to establish herself as South Korea’s next major star, following in the footsteps of Yuna Kim and You Young. Her triple Lutz-triple toe combination was one of the cleanest of the day, and her confident performance earned praise from commentators. Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx, known for her vibrant programs and competitive consistency, looked sharp as well, showing that she remains a podium threat for any competition she enters.
All Eyes on the Free Skate Showdown
With less than five points separating the top four skaters, the free skate promises to be a dramatic showdown. Sakamoto has historically been a strong free skater, capable of making up ground with her stamina and performance quality. A clean free skate could easily propel her onto the podium and even challenge for gold if others falter.
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Her free skate program, set to a cinematic medley, is designed to be a career retrospective — a celebration of her journey from junior champion to Olympic icon. Early reviews from practice sessions suggest it could be one of her most emotional performances yet, and fans will be eager to see it unveiled under competition lights.
Building Momentum for a Legendary Farewell
Even if Sakamoto does not win in Osaka, this event serves as an early building block in her season. Challenger Series competitions are about finding rhythm, testing technical content, and ironing out nerves before the Grand Prix season begins.
Her ability to handle the pressure of being the defending Olympic champion — while also embracing the reality of her final season — will be one of the key storylines leading up to Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026. If she can manage expectations and deliver her best skating when it counts, she could leave the sport as one of its all-time greats, joining names like Yuna Kim, Mao Asada, and Michelle Kwan in the pantheon of legends.
Winter Olympic 2026: More Than Medals Honoring a Legacy
Kaori Sakamoto’s fourth-place short program finish at the ISU CS Kinoshita Group Cup 2025 is far from a setback — it’s a reminder of the competitive fire that keeps Winter Olympic figure skating thrilling. As she continues her farewell season, each program will carry extra weight, not just as a competition but as part of her final artistic statement.
The Osaka audience, and fans around the world, will be watching closely as she takes the ice for the free skate. Win or lose, Sakamoto’s journey this season is about more than medals — it’s about honoring a career defined by strength, perseverance, and a love for skating that has inspired millions.
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