Japan’s three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto delivered an exceptional free skate performance on Saturday to retain her title at the NHK Trophy, which she revealed will be her final appearance at the event.
In preparation for her retirement after the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026, Sakamoto, determined to leave a lasting impression, showcased her skills at her home Grand Prix in Osaka, Japan.
Set to the tunes of Edith Piaf, Sakamoto executed seven triple jumps flawlessly, securing a remarkable Grand Prix season-high score of 227.18, surpassing all other competitors.
Expressing her satisfaction with the event, Sakamoto mentioned, “It was a wonderful experience performing in front of my hometown audience. The support was incredible, and I am thrilled to have delivered such a strong performance.”
Having also placed second at the Grand Prix de France, Sakamoto’s combined results have earned her a spot in the Grand Prix Final scheduled for December 4-7 in Nagoya, Japan.
Debuting at the Grand Prix, Kazakhstani teenager Sofia Samodelkina claimed the second spot with 200 points, while Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx followed in third.
Canadian skater Katherine Medland Spence, the sole representative from Canada, finished in 11th place out of 12 competitors in her Grand Prix debut, earning 146.63 points.
Performing to “La Alegria,” Loena Hendrickx, the 2024 European Champion, executed six clean triple jumps, accumulating a total score of 198.97.
Hendrickx returned to the Grand Prix circuit after missing the previous season