Sakamoto Leads World Championships in Prague with Season’s Best Short Program
Prague, Czech Republic – Japanese figure skating sensation Kaori Sakamoto delivered a performance for the ages on Wednesday, posting a season-best score of 79.31 to seize the lead in the women’s short program at the World Championships in Prague. This marks a poignant moment as Sakamoto, a two-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist, prepares to conclude her illustrious competitive career after this event.
The 25-year-old skater, who is vying for her fourth world title – a record for any Japanese figure skater – delivered a near-flawless routine choreographed to the fittingly titled “Time to Say Goodbye.” The performance was particularly resonant given that Prague is also the city where Sakamoto made her junior Grand Prix debut 13 years ago. Her score on Wednesday fell just short of her personal best in the short program, which was 80.32, achieved at the 2022 World Championships en route to her first world crown.
“I feel relieved,” Sakamoto commented after her skate. “The performance was good overall. I was able to perform with the same relaxed feeling as in practice. I’ll do my best to finish with a smile.”
Sakamoto’s dominant short program places her ahead of her compatriot Mone Chiba, who secured second place with 78.45 points. Amber Glenn of the United States rounds out the top three, earning 72.65 points. Another Japanese contender, Olympic bronze medalist Ami Nakai, finished the segment in eighth place with a score of 69.10.
The absence of several prominent skaters adds a unique dynamic to this year’s competition. Notably, American Olympic champion Alysa Liu is not competing in Prague. Furthermore, Japan’s Winter Games pairs gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara have also opted to skip this event.
Men’s Competition Set to Unfold
The spotlight will soon shift to the men’s competition, where Japan is also well-represented. On Thursday, the short program will feature Japanese talent including Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama and bronze medalist Shun Sato. They will be joined by their compatriot Kao Miura, all aiming to make their mark on the international stage.
The focus in the women’s event remains on Sakamoto’s quest for a historic fourth world title. Her performance in Prague has set a high bar, and the anticipation is palpable for her final free skate, where she aims to conclude her competitive journey on a high note, potentially etching her name further into figure skating history. The blend of nostalgia and ambition in her performance, set against the backdrop of her junior career’s beginnings, has undoubtedly made this short program a memorable chapter in her career.
