Sakamoto Heading to Milan Games

On Sunday, the landscape of international figure skating was reaffirmed at Tokyo’s Yoyogi National Stadium. Kaori Sakamoto, the 25-year-old powerhouse of Japanese skating, officially secured her place at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics after a dominant performance at the Japan Figure Skating Championships.

A Historic Winning Streak

Sakamoto’s victory in the women’s singles competition was not just a win, but a testament to her unmatched consistency in a sport often defined by volatility.

• Five-Year Dominance: This victory marks her fifth consecutive national title.
• Sixth Overall: She now holds six national gold medals, cementing her status as one of Japan’s greatest figure skaters of all time.
• The Veteran Presence: At 25, Sakamoto remains at the top of her game, outperforming a field of younger competitors with her signature speed and powerful jumping technique.

Road to Milan 2026

This will be Sakamoto’s third consecutive Winter Olympics. Having already earned a bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Games, she enters the Milan Cortina cycle as a top contender for the podium. Her experience will be vital for the Japanese delegation as they head to Italy this February.

Joining Sakamoto on the Olympic roster are two rising stars who represent the future of the sport in Japan:

• Ami Nakai (17): A technical standout making her Olympic debut.
• Mone Chiba (20): A consistent performer who has steadily climbed the international rankings.

The All-Japan Legacy

The Japan Skating Federation’s announcement followed an intense weekend of competition that showcased the depth of talent in the country. By successfully defending her title five years in a row, Sakamoto has achieved a level of domestic dominance rarely seen since the era of legends like Mao Asada.

As the team prepares for February, all eyes will be on Sakamoto to see if she can upgrade her Beijing bronze to Milan gold.

Source: article by Yomiuri Shimbun on japannews.co.jp, published December 22, 2025.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer