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Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) poses during the 20222 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Turin (ITA) @ISU

The 2022 Olympic bronze medalist and two-time World Champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) is a trendsetter. It starts with her energetic way of skating and does not end with her exciting programs. The upbeat 23-year-old defended her World title last March in her home country, becoming the first Japanese Skater to win back-to-back World titles (teammate Shoma Uno followed her example in the Men’s event by remaining the reigning World Champion this year after his win in 2022). Preparations for the new season are underway and in between shows and training camps, Kaori sat down with the ISU to look back at an interesting 2022/23 season and to look beyond what is coming next.

Kaori started the past season in a new role as a World Champion and had to overcome a few setbacks on her way to her second title. She lost her first competition of the season to up and coming teammate Rinka Watanabe (JPN). Following her win at the ISU Grand Prix Skate America, she came second to Korean Yelim Kim at her home Grand Prix NHK Trophy. And then at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, a subpar Free Skating left Sakamoto in fifth place.

“In the last season (2022/23), I won medals at the Olympic Games and the World Championships, and after that, during the off-season, I had many ice shows and it was hard to switch gears emotionally and prepare for the season,” Kaori said.

“I had a lot of anxiety that I would not be able to keep fighting, and I wondered when I would be able to get out of this anxiety, so I could not look at the competitions positively. The hardest part for me was the Grand Prix Final.”

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) competes  during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2022 in Turin (ITA) @ISU

“I made a lot of unbelievable mistakes. It was a worse competition than ever, but at the same time, it was a good opportunity for me to move on. I am happy with that experience from the Grand Prix Final.”

The disappointment gave Kaori an extra motivation and she rebounded from the Final, collecting her third National title and then won the Challenge Cup in The Hague (NED) that served as her preparation for the ISU World Figure Skating Championships on home ice in Saitama, Japan. Kaori defended her World title with about four points to spare ahead of Korea’s Haein Lee.

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) pose during the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2023 in Saitama (JPN) @ISU

“The highlight of the World Championships was that I was able to achieve a good result as a memory at the end of the season, which had many ups and downs. So it was a great relief.” the Japanese star shared.

She remembered also a significant moment of the season:

“At the press conference at Skate America, I was sitting next to Isabeau Levito (USA) and she told me face to face that she really looks up to me. That was very interesting for me because nobody ever had told me that directly. So I was very happy,” Kaori said with a big smile.

Isabeau Levito (USA), Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) and Amber Glenn (USA) pose during the ISU Grand Prix in Norwood (USA) @ISU

Following the ISU World Championships, Kaori enjoyed performing in ice shows with many of her skating friends from Japan and other countries. However, she is also working hard on the preparation of the upcoming season and went for that purpose to Canada.

“I had lessons to improve my skating skills”, she revealed. “I have been practicing what I have learned in Canada, even after returning to Japan, and of course, I have been practicing jumps, and trying my best. I’m not only working on jumps, but I am working also on my skating skills and expression harder than ever before.”

The two-time ISU World Champion has prepared a new Free Skating program with choreographer Marie-France Dubreuil to the songs “Wild Is the Wind” and “Feeling Good”.

“Since I became a senior, I have skated to a lot of tracks. In my first senior year I started with “Amélie”, then I continued with “The Piano”, “Matrix”, “I Am a Woman” and “Elastic Heart”. So I have tried many different genres. Every year, I want to show a different side of myself because I want to make the watching judges and the audience feel that ‘she is also able to skate to this kind of music !’,” Kaori noted.

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) performs during the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2022 in Montpellier (FRA) @ISU

“And this year, I wanted to try a more mysterious Free Program I haven’t done before, so I hope that everyone will look forward to it.”

Choreographer Dubreuil suggested the music for the new Free Program and also asked the Skater what she had in mind. They tried different pieces.

“Marie-France asked me what makes my heart more dance and we decided to go for the jazz music,” Kaori shared. Sakamoto has worked with Dubreuil before and feels that the connection is getting deeper and deeper.

Taking part in ice shows alongside experienced show skaters is helping Kaori to develop as a competitive athlete and performer herself. She enjoyed skating alongside Olympic Ice Dance Champions Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron and other stars.

“There were many skaters who had very great skating skills and who presented programs that really touched the heart,” Kaori pointed out. “For example, Gabriella Papadakis’ and Guillaume Cizeron’s exhibition program is one that touched me very much. I also always enjoyed Stephane Lambiel's program and Satoko Miyahara’s. Every time I am watching them, I want to become like them in the future.”

With the new season on the horizon, Kaori is looking forward to stepping on to the ice again to present her new programs and pursue the new goals she has set for herself.

“Of course, I’d like to win the (Grand Prix) Final and also the Worlds. I am very excited about that and especially excited about what kind of results I will achieve with the new programs.”