Kaori Sakamoto won her fourth career world title in Prague

Ashley Davis28/03/2026

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Article by Roxana Fleşeru – Published Friday, March 27, 2026 11:28 p.m. / Updated Friday, March 27, 2026 11:45 p.m.

Kaori Sakamoto ended her season and career with her fourth world title. The Japanese woman, who at the Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina was defeated by Alysa Liu and cried uncontrollably, managed to heal her injuries at the World Championships in Prague. There were also tears in the O2 Arena in Prague, but this time they were of happiness.

Kaori Sakamoto was first after the short program and had a flawless free program on Friday night, posting her best score of 158.97. The Japanese floated to French music, as if leaving a farewell message to skating. “La vie en rose”, then “Hymne à l'amour” and “Non, je ne regrette rien”. At the beginning of the season he announced that this would be his last year of his career.

Thank you, Kaori ✨ #FigureSkating #WorldFigure pic.twitter.com/lH2fNTqNbZ

— ISU Figure Skating (@ISU_Figure) March 27, 2026

With a total of 238.28, also a personal best, she beat Japan's Mone Chiba with 228.47 and Belgium's Nina Pinzarrone (215.20).

Mone Chiba, Kaori Sakamoto and Nina Pinzarrone PHOTO Imago Images

Kaori Sakamoto won her fourth world title in the women's event in Prague on Friday, after those in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Last year, she was surpassed only by Alysa Liu, who was absent from this edition of the World Championships.

Kaori Sakamoto in the gallery of great skaters

The Japanese equaled Lily Kronberger (Hungary), Katarina Witt (Germany) in the number of world gold medals. They are surpassed only by Herma Szabo (Austria), Carol Heiss (USA) and Michelle Kwan (USA) with five each, and Sonja Henie (Norway) with ten.

2 Olympic medalssilver has Kaori Sakamoto in the women's event

Julia Sauter finished the competition in 22nd place. On Saturday, the last sets of medals are given, in the men's event, where Ilia Malinin is in first place after the short program, and in the dance event, where Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron are in first place.