Kaori Sakamoto Wins 4th World Title, Retires in Prague

Kaori Sakamoto Wins Fourth World Title in Emotional Retirement Farewell

On March 27, 2026, figure skating history was made in Prague, Czech Republic, as Kaori Sakamoto delivered the performance of her life to claim her fourth World Figure Skating Championship title — and then announced her retirement from competitive skating. Skating her final free program to Edith Piaf's iconic "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" ("No, I Regret Nothing"), Sakamoto closed the book on one of the most decorated careers in modern women's figure skating with a personal-best total score of 238.28 points. The song choice said it all.

The search for "Kaori Sakamoto" has surged today as fans around the world react to the emotional farewell of a champion who redefined consistency and artistry in women's skating over the past half-decade. Forbes called it a "storybook career finale" — and it's hard to argue otherwise.

The Final Skate: A Performance for the Ages

Sakamoto entered the free skate at the 2026 World Championships in Prague as the leader following the short program, carrying the weight of an entire nation's expectations alongside the knowledge that this would be her last competitive performance. She delivered under pressure in the most definitive way possible.

Her total score of 238.28 points was a personal best — a remarkable achievement for a skater closing out her career rather than entering her prime. Sakamoto signed off with a fourth world figure skating title that underscored just how dominant she had been throughout her competitive career.

Japanese teammate Mone Chiba delivered a strong skate of her own to finish second with 228.47 points, creating a memorable 1-2 Japanese finish on the podium. Nina Pinzarrone of Belgium claimed a surprise bronze medal with 215.20 points, the biggest result of her career to date.

A Historic Run: Four World Titles and an Olympic Legacy

To understand the magnitude of Sakamoto's fourth world championship, you need to look at the full arc of her career. Prior to today's victory, she had already won three consecutive world titles — a feat that had not been accomplished in women's figure skating since the 1960s. That streak alone had cemented her legacy; the fourth title simply gilded it.

Yet for all her dominance on the world stage, Olympic gold remained the one prize that eluded her. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Sakamoto won an individual bronze medal in the midst of one of the most controversial women's skating competitions in recent memory. At the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, she elevated her performance to earn both a team silver and an individual silver — arriving at the podium but stopping just short of the top step.

That individual silver at Milan Cortina, while a remarkable achievement, was an emotionally difficult moment. Sakamoto's journey from the Olympic silver to this World Championship gold is the kind of athletic narrative that transcends sport — a champion who answered heartbreak with the best performance of her life.

Sportsmanship in the Spotlight: Sakamoto and Amber Glenn

One of the most talked-about storylines heading into the 2026 World Championships was not just Sakamoto's farewell, but a remarkable moment of sportsmanship that emerged from the Milan Cortina Olympics.

After Sakamoto's emotional loss at the Olympic individual event, American skater Amber Glenn — herself a competitor in the same event — approached Sakamoto to offer comfort. The gesture did not go unnoticed. At a pre-competition press conference in Prague on March 26, 2026, Sakamoto publicly praised Glenn's compassion and kindness, calling attention to the moment in a way that moved many in the skating community.

Glenn was reportedly overwhelmed by Sakamoto's kind words at the Worlds press conference, and the American skater has since been nominated for the ISU Fair Play Award for the act of comforting her competitor after a difficult loss. It's a reminder that even at the highest levels of competition, the humanity of athletes shines through.

The Prague competition itself was a difficult one for Glenn. After finishing third in the short program, she struggled in the free skate, dropping to sixth place overall due to errors in her free program. Meanwhile, Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu withdrew from the World Championships entirely, reshaping the field and opening the door for Nina Pinzarrone's surprise bronze.

What's Next: Sakamoto Steps Into Coaching

With her competitive career now officially closed, Kaori Sakamoto has confirmed that she plans to transition into coaching. For a skater of her caliber — technically precise, artistically sophisticated, and mentally unbreakable under pressure — the move into coaching feels like a natural and exciting evolution.

Sakamoto's influence on Japanese figure skating has already been profound. With Mone Chiba finishing second at today's World Championships, the next generation of Japanese women's skating is clearly in good hands — and with Sakamoto poised to contribute as a coach, that pipeline looks set to remain strong for years to come.

Her career offers a blueprint not just in terms of achievement, but in terms of how to compete with grace. Four world titles, two Olympic medals, and a reputation for integrity and sportsmanship — these are the assets she brings to her next chapter.

Kaori Sakamoto's Career at a Glance

• 2022 Beijing Olympics: Individual bronze medal
• 2022 World Championships: First world title — begins historic three-peat
• 2023 World Championships: Second consecutive world title
• 2024 World Championships: Third consecutive world title (first such streak since the 1960s)
• 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics: Team silver and individual silver medals
• 2026 World Championships (Prague): Fourth world title, personal-best 238.28 points — retires from competition

Sakamoto's dominance through the short program and into the free skate in Prague was a fitting final chapter — never in doubt, always in command.

Conclusion: A Legacy Sealed in Prague

Kaori Sakamoto's retirement from competitive figure skating leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. For the better part of five years, she was the defining force in women's figure skating — not just through her results, but through the way she carried herself on and off the ice. Four world championships, two Olympic medals, and a reputation built on integrity and sportsmanship: this is a legacy that will endure.

The choice of Edith Piaf's "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" as her final free skate music was more than poetic — it was a declaration. Kaori Sakamoto skated her career without regret, gave everything she had every time she stepped onto the ice, and walked away on her own terms with a personal-best score and a fourth world title. In figure skating, and in sport, that is as complete an ending as anyone could ask for.

"No, I regret nothing." — The song that closed Kaori Sakamoto's career in Prague, and perhaps the truest summary of it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kaori Sakamoto

How many World Championship titles did Kaori Sakamoto win?

Kaori Sakamoto won four World Figure Skating Championship titles in total. She won three consecutively before adding her fourth and final title at the 2026 World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, where she also announced her retirement.

Did Kaori Sakamoto ever win an Olympic gold medal?

No, Sakamoto never won Olympic gold. She earned an individual bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and team and individual silver medals at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Despite her unmatched World Championship record, Olympic gold remained the one title her career did not include.

What was Kaori Sakamoto's final score at the 2026 World Championships?

Sakamoto finished with a personal-best total score of 238.28 points at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, enough to claim the gold medal and close her competitive career on the highest possible note.

Who finished second and third at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships?

Mone Chiba of Japan finished second with 228.47 points, and Nina Pinzarrone of Belgium took bronze with 215.20 points in a surprise result. The podium marked a historic 1-2 finish for Japan in women's figure skating.

What will Kaori Sakamoto do after retiring from competitive skating?

Sakamoto has announced plans to become a figure skating coach after retiring from competition. Given her technical mastery and competitive experience, she is expected to have a significant impact on the next generation of skaters, particularly within Japan's already strong women's skating program.