Kaori Sakamoto plans to retire after season 2025-2026

[MINAM]

In Japanese

"I have less than a year left in my competitive career. Rather than doing it half-heartedly for two or three years (after the Olympics), I think I'll make a break for it when I turn 26."

Wishing her an injury-free final season.

 

[zigzig]

Even if she quit now, 3 World golds, a surprise Olympic bronze and the hearts of countless skating fans around the world is already a brilliant legacy

Wishing her a joyful 25/26 season.

 

[Aussie Willy]

She will be missed but good for her going out on her own terms. Hope she has a fantastic final season.

With her and Alyssa at the Olympics the women's event is going to be fun.

 

[aussieSKATES]

Other than Kaori, Alysa Liu, Mona Chiba, Isabeau Levito, Amber Glenn, Wakaba Higuchi, (a healthy) Loena Hendrickx, Kim Chae-yeon, Shin Ji-a, any number of US, Japanese or Korean women and potentially Adeliia Petrosian, will be gunning for the podium in Italy.

With Mao Shimada, and other junior women like Australia's own Hana Bath and Mia Zeng hovering on the horizon in the next few years, it is really now or never.

 

[overedge]

Everyone retires eventually, but I for one will really miss her creativity and her breaking of stereotypes. And at least she's making the decision herself, rather than having it forced on her.

 

[YukiNieve]

Kaori hopes to become an instructor after her retirement.

On SP music: Her choreographer (I guess Rohene?) said to her "Let's do this." The title of the music sounds like "Goodbye" but the program is meant to be moving on to the next step rather than saying "this is the end." I'd like to convey that it was never intended to be the end.

On FS music: It was me who wanted to use "La vie en Rose." Akiko Suzuki, whom I admire, used that music and when I saw it, I thought I wanted to use this music for my retirement season.

リンクサイド：坂本花織　新フリーは「愛の賛歌」　「引退シーズンはこの曲を…」 | 毎日新聞

フィギュアスケート女子で、2022年北京冬季オリンピック銅メダルの坂本花織選手（シスメックス）が20日、ミラノ・コルティナ冬季五輪が行われる来季限りで現役を引退する意向を表明した。

mainichi.jp

 

[Wyliefan]

Seems like just yesterday she was a cute little teen skating to Amelie in a red dress, and Jack Gallagher was telling the Olympic audience to keep an eye on her. What a terrific career she's had. And on top of it all, she seems to be a lovely human being.

 

[coppertop1]

I think we knew this was coming but I'm still not ready . From the dark horse Olympic Bronze medalist who saved the women's event to the leading lady in the post Eteri Era. Her longevity is impressive. I'm going to miss her

 

[PRlady]

As someone who has ubered her since junior days (and correctly predicted she’d make the 2018 Oly team) I’m wistful but happy for her. She had a great career, hopefully will win two more Oly medals (team and individual) and skated some very non-warhorse programs. I will miss her lively personality as much as her skating.

 

[alexikeguchi]

From the dark horse Olympic Bronze medalist who saved the women's event...

In my mind if not the official records, she is the reigning gold medalist. I boycotted watching that sham of an event but replayed individual performances afterwards, and Kaori soared. I certainly wouldn't mind if she officially wins in Milano though! She can be proud of her career and most importantly, how she has led the way to restoring sportsmanship.