Kaori Sakamoto

[Spirals for Miles]

Kaori Sakamoto (坂本花織) is a Ladies' figure skater who represents Japan. She was born on 9 April 2000 in Kobe, Japan.

She is the 2022, 2023 and 2024 World Champion, the 2022 Winter Olympic bronze medalist in the individual event and the team event, 2021-22 Japanese champion, the 2018 Four Continents champion, the 2022 Skate America champion, the 2020 NHK Trophy champion, a two-time Skate America silver medalist (2017, 2018), the 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki bronze medalist, the 2019 Japanese national champion, and the 2018 and 2021 Japanese national silver medalist. She placed 6th at the 2018 Winter Olympics and 5th at the 2019 World Championships. Earlier in her career, Sakamoto won bronze medals at the 2017 World Junior Championships and the 2016 Junior Grand Prix Final.

She is coached by Sonoko Nakano and Mitsuko Graham and is choreographed by Benoit Richaud. She trains in Hyogo but considers Kobe her hometown. Kaori started skating in 2004 and likes swimming and making origami when she is not skating.



Biographical information

ISU bio:
http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00014151.htm

Wikipedia page:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaori_Sakamoto

Olympic profile:
https://www.olympic.org/kaori-sakamoto

Rinkresults.com entry:
http://www.rinkresults.com/skater?skater_id=887

Golden Skate media profile:
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/media/categories/kaori-sakamoto-jpn.93/

Personal Best Scores under +5/-5 GOE​

Type​	Score​	Competition​
Personal Best Total Score	233.13	2022 Winter Olympics
Personal Best Score Short Program	79.84	2022 Winter Olympics
Personal Best Score Free Skating	153.29	2022 Winter Olympics

Personal Best Scores under +3/-3 GOE​

Type​	Score​	Competition​
Personal Best Total Score	214.21	ISU Four Continents Championships 2018
Personal Best Score Short Program	73.18	XXIII Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018
Personal Best Score Free Skating	142.87	ISU Four Continents Championships 2018

Programs and Videos​

2024-2025
SP: "Concierto del Ángel: IV. Resurrección del Angel" by Astor Piazzolla, performed by Gidon Kremer, Kremerata Baltica & Vadim Sakharov; choreo by Rohene Ward
FS: choreo. by Marie-France Dubreuil

2023-2024
SP: “Baby, God Bless You," by Shin'ya Kiyozuka
FS: "Wild is the Wind" by Lauryn Hill; "Feeling Good" performed by Lauryn Hill; choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle; Marie France Dubreuil

2022-2023
SP: "Rock With U" by Janet Jackson; choreo by Rohene Ward
FS: "Elastic Heart" by Sia; choreo by Marie-France Dubreuil

2021-2022
SP: "Now We Are Free" (from "Gladiator") by Lisa Gerrard, Hans Zimmer arranged by Cedric Tour; choreo by Benoit Richaud
FS: "No More Fight Left In Me" by Imany, Armand Amar; "Tris" by Elilie Goulding, Junkie XL; choreo by Benoit Richaud

2021-22 Japanese Nationals
SP: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ISylK2fSWH4
FS: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mF6diSbRIvw

2021 NHK Trophy
SP:
FS: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5pkx_6fVLsU

2021 Skate America
SP: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VRFX82xpU8E
FS: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D6oScsBZtsU
EX: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BPLSnc9mCBg

2021 Asian Open
SP: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w563j20tySo

2020-2021
SP: Concerto En Re Mineur, BWV 974: ll. Adagio by Johann Sebastian Bach perf. by Alexandre Tharaud, Bach A La Jazz by Matt Herskowitz and Mary Kerr; choreo by Benoit Richaud
FS: Main Title Trinity Infinity from The Matrix (soundtrack) by Don Davis, Clubbed To Death from The Matrix (soundtrack) by Rob Dougan, Chateau Vol.2 from The Matrix (soundtrack) by Rob Dougan; choreo by Benoit Richaud

2021 World Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhzaZxm8pYI
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQlCjXdyO1g

2021 Japanese Nationals
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAKGedk3Scc
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cizqdIDqdDM

2020 NHK Trophy
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iIo_kDtr48
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM--8-IBocg

2019/2020
SP: "No Roots" by Alice Merton; choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne
FS: "Clubbed to Death (Kurayamino mix) (from “The Matrix” soundtrack) by Rob Dougan; "Only for Hacker" by Fawkesakes; "Chateau" (from “The Matrix Reloaded” soundtrack) by Rob Dougan; choreo by Benoit Richaud

2020 Four Continent

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zwrnHyyeZ4 (fancam)​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGPD910v3gE​

Gala: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeWgV8anW0k​

2020 Japanese Championships

SP: https://youtu.be/AfCz8eiHrw0​

FS: https://youtu.be/tZ_SOh16BZI​

2019 Internationaux de France

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma7kfSGp93E​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrcRjzTRvBY​

2019 Skate America

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urLhAJqr61o​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeApdyNlm4c​

2019 Nepala Trophy

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZIjMW5N11s​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ28UMZtZcA​

2018/2019
SP: "From My First Moment" by Charlotte Church
FS: "The Piano" soundtrack ("The Embrace" / "The Scent of Love" / "Deep Into The Forest") by Michael Nyman / "Tree of Life Suite: Wild Side" by Roberto Cacciapaglia; choreo. by Benoît Richaud
Ex1: "Don't Tell Mama" (from "Cabaret") by John Kander & Fred Ebb performed by The West End Orchestra & Singers
Ex2: "I Will Follow Him" ("Sister Act") by W. Goldberg

2019 World Team Trophy

SP: No video founded​

FS: http://fsnews.ru/forums-m-posts-id-25840.html​

​

2019 World Championships

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGU1mr-CBYc​

Post-SP interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSGUFsEHZko​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHer2kbhNkQ​

Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yP349IXrhY ("I Will Follow Him")​

​

2019 Four Continents Championships

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHKOCYpBfuo / https://m.ok.ru/dk?st.cmd=movieLayer&st.discId=927876713089&st.retLoc=friend&st.rtu=/dk?st.cmd=friendMovies&st.mode=own&st.mrkId=%7B%22uploadedMovieMarker%22%3A%7B%22marker%22%3A%221549584486109%22%2C%22hasMore%22%3Atrue%7D%2C%22sharedMovieMarker%22%3A%7B%22marker%22%3Anull%2C%22hasMore%22%3Afalse%7D%7D&st.friendId=577535594881&st.frwd=on&st.page=1&_prevCmd=friendMovies&tkn=7165&st.discType=MOVIE&st.mvId=927876713089&_prevCmd=friendMovies&tkn=42#​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks1fQm12Lr0​

2019 Japan National Championships

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okANu-COFvs​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVdnPEdOHrc​

Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwNYQ5L-6Yc​

​

2018/19 GP Final Vancouver

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnIEURl1WtA​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NAywZYDrHo​

2018 GP Helsinki

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueD_gBKNr-Q​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9KWCkkhWH4 / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asrcdkYZLmY​

2018 GP Skate America

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyTtsBJ6jrU​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAk7drbSNlQ​

2018 Japan Open

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1NFfX7CyEo​

2018 CS Lombardia Trophy

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl3AEwX16wM​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fsXb8lCmlU​

2017/2018
SP: "Moonlight Sonata" by Ludwig Van Beethoven; choreo. by Benoît Richaud
FS: "Amélie" OST ("La Valse d'Amélie" (Orchestral version) / "On The Wire" / "The Drowned Girl") by Yann Tiersen; choreo. by Benoît Richaud
Ex1: "Primavera Porteña" by Ástor Piazzolla performed by Kazuma Miura
Ex2: "Amélie" by Yann Tiersen; choreo. by Benoît Richaud
Ex3: "The Color Purple" by Quincy Jones; choreo. by Massimo Scali
Ex4: James Bond 007 medley: "Diamonds Are Forever" (Main Title) performed by Shirley Bassey / "The Name's Bond... James Bond" by Nicholas Dodd

2018 Coupe du Printemps

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsESUtq1KzA​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNZ1Z_KcNoU​

XXIII Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018

SP: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/v...gram-figure-skating-pyeongchang-2018-replays/ (the whole event, starts at 2:35:26) /​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVmQCqu0RUk​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-jq4USS3KA​

2018 Four Continents Championships

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DK5dmFG8L4​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcX1ebbf21A​

​

2018 Japan National Championships

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz-z7xRC070​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVdnPEdOHrc​

2017 ISU GP Skate America

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn5EYsBEv3A​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4OYK3-EB_g​

2017 GP Rostelecom Cup

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oXvMhXikpw​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DL7k7VYeEM​

​

2017 CS US International Classic

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06nLDgyt0Dg​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxaH43LvYTc​

2017 Asian Open Trophy

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aauzbmY0aZ0​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yZ0hODghGM​

Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBEL52j5ExI​

2016/2017
SP: "The Artist" by Ludovic Bource; choreo. by Massimo Scali
FS: "The Color Purple" by Quincy Jones; choreo. by Massimo Scali
Ex: "Primavera Porteña" by Ástor Piazzolla performed by Kazuma Miura

World Junior Championship 2017

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmZ44pNqUOo​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1-FCvtUDpI​

Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLlEJszfgY8​

2016/17 Japan National Championships

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVCw7ac0ZVA​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Tg4ZAE2dSE​

2016/17 JGP Final Marseille

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hFwrmAYDvc​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yo70hYn8mE​

2016 JGP Yokohama

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or22n0HTqmM​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMfF9ZgjgKI​

2016 JGP St.Gervais

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cJ83IHxbl4​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcRZeFJ4-TY​

2015/2016
SP: "Malagueña" by Ernesto Lecuona; choreo. by Masashiro Kawagoe
FS: "The Color Purple" by Quincy Jones; choreo. by Massimo Scali

2016 Youth Olympic Games Lilehammer

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcxMivGbqv4​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54nbO07gV0Y​

2015 JGP Torun, Poland

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rS6dQqcFy4​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdE0WXUqYc0​

2015 JGP Riga Cup

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkZE5TlxB0g​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6nyXUPjQec​

2015 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy

SP: no video found​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr2n1B0Qe5U​

2014/2015
SP: "Dark Eyes" by Florian Hermann; choreo. by Masashiro Kawagoe, Sonoko Nakano, Yukina Ota
FS: "Ouverture" (from "Romeo and Juliet") by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; choreo. by Masashiro Kawagoe, Sonoko Nakano, Yukina Ota

2015 World Junior Championship

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO-DR3rAlAM​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixkMkjwELpY​

2014 JGP Nagoya TV Cup

SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9cz-YDHDkw​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWzf5LZZz5g​

2013/2014
SP: "Anything Goes" by Cole Porter; choreo. by Masashiro Kawagoe
FS: "Aladdin" by Alan Menken; choreo. by Masashiro Kawagoe

2013 JGP Czech Republic

SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4JjF-712FE​

FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnY042BMf24​

2013 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy

SP: no video found​

FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU3nUsVcA-8​

Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCo-wBMyl-c​

​

Competitive History​

Competition	Pos.
2024-2025
2024 Grand Prix Final	3
2024 NHK Trophy	1
2024 Skate Canada	1
2024 Lombardia Trophy	3
2023-2024
2024 World Championships	1
2024 Challenge Cup	1
2023 Japanese Nationals	1
2023-24 Grand Prix Final	1
2023 Grand Prix Espoo	1
2023 Skate Canada	1
2023 Autumn Classic	1
2022-2023
2023 World Championships	1
2023 Challenge Cup	1
2023 Universiade	2
2022 Japanese Nationals	1
2022-23 Grand Prix Final	5
2022 NHK Trophy	2
2022 Skate America	1
2022 Lombardia Trophy​	2
2021-2022
2022 World Championships	1
2022 Winter Olympics (Individual Event)	3
2022 Winter Olympics (Team Event)	3
2021-22 Japanese Nationals	1
2021 NHK Trophy	1
2021 Skate America	4
2021 Asian Open Trophy	2
2021 Kinki Regional Trophy	1
2021 Japan Open	4
2020-2021
2021 World Championships	6
2021 Japanese Nationals	2
2020 NHK Trophy	1
2019/2020
2020 Four Continents	5
Japanese Championships 2019	6
Internationaux de France 2019	4
Skate America 2019	4
27th Ondrej Nepela Trophy	2
2018/2019
2019 World Team Trophy (individual / team)	3 / 2
2019 World Championship	5
2019 Four Continents Championships	4
2018/19 Japan National Championships	1
2018/19 GP Final Vancouver	4
2018 GP Helsinki	3
2018 GP Skate America	2
2018 Japan Open
2018 CS Lombardia Trophy	4
2017/2018
2018 Coupe du Printemps	2
XXIII Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018	6
2018 Four Continents Championships	1
2017/18 Japan National Championships	2
2017 GP Skate America	2
2017 Western Section Championships	1
2017 GP Rostelecom Cup	5
2017 Kinki Regional Championships	1
2017 CS U.S. International Figure Skating Classic	4
2017 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy	1
2016/2017
World Junior Championship 2017	3
2016/17 Japan National Championships	7
2016/17 GP Final	3
2016/17 Japanese Junior National Championships	1
2016 Western Section Championships	1
2016 Kinki Regional Championships	3
2016 JGP Yokohama	1
2016 JGP St.Gervais	2
2015/2016
2016 Youth Olympics	6
2015/16 Japan National Championships	13
2015/16 Japan Junior National Championships	5
2015 JGP Torun, Poland	4
2015 JGP Riga Cup	2
2015 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy	3
2014/2015
2015 World Junior Championship	6
2014/15 Japan National Championships	6
2014/15 Japan Junior National Championships	2
2014 Western Section Championships	5
2014 Kinki Regional Championships	1
2014 JGP Nagoya TV Cup	7
2013/2014
2014 Challenge Cup	1
2013/14 Japan National Championships	15
2013/14 Japan Junior National Championships	6
2013 Western Section Championships	1
2013 JGP Czech Skate	6
2013 Kinki Regional Championships	1
2013 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy	1
2012/2013
22nd Triglav Trophy 2013	2
2012/13 Japan Junior National Championships	9
2012/13 Japan Novice National Championships
2012 Kinki Regional Championships
2011/2012
2011/12 Japan Novice National Championships
2011 Kinki Regional Championships

Galas​

October 2019 - 迅 by 月詠-TSUKUYOMI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFB3Ss06ZO4

August 2019 -The Ice- "No Roots"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgLBWmQla5c

September 2018 - The Ice 2018 (Aichi) - Alina Zagitova & Kaori Sakamoto "The Battle" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n072zGetCwo

August 2018 - The Ice 2018 - "From My First Moment" by Charlotte Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CfNR77je1U

July 2018 - DOI 2018 - The Piano soundtrack by Roger Woodward
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLvEoyPCmjw

May 2018 - Stars On Ice 2018 - "Primavera porteña" and interview -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdulHiv0XuA

May 2018 - PIW - "Primavera porteña"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM_9-hmVAC8

April 2018 - Stars On Ice 2018 - "The Artist" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8mws0vFmAk

March 2018 - The Legends - "The Color Purple" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RpHOpvdm8o

July 2017 - Dreams On Ice 2017 - Amélie soundtrack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INI49GSpvNw

MOI (Medalist On ice) 2016 - "Primavera porteña"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTeTC9HhbQ

2016 DOI - "The Artist"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wJQ29rWjOI

Articles and Interviews​

23 December 2018 - GS article "Sakamoto shakes it up at Japanese Nationals; win’s first title" -
https://www.goldenskate.com/2018/12/sakamoto-shakes-it-up-at-japanese-nationals-wins-first-title/

16 October 2018 - Cheerful Personality Helps Kaori Sakamoto Shine on Ice"
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports...l-personality-helps-kaori-sakamoto-shine-ice/

26 January 2018 - GS article "Sakamoto leads ladies to Japanese sweep at Four Continents" by Paula Slater -
https://www.goldenskate.com/2018/01/2018-four-continents-ladies/

18 October 2016 - GS article "Kaori Sakamoto: “I need to work harder” by Wei Xiong -
https://www.goldenskate.com/2016/10/kaori-sakamoto/

 

[puremagic]

Congratz Kaori with her silver medal! Her jumps very solid and huge.

 

[sneakers]

she improved a lot this season.
she looks to have more power, stable and skating skills is nice. :yay:

 

[Crossover]

Congratulations on winning the Junior National title for the first time!

Her jumps are so so so huge with great speed and power. I'm looking forward to see Kaori at Junior Grand Prix Final!

 

[Marin]

I want to revive this thread, congratulations to Kaori for JWC bronze and outstanding programs . Her jumps are to die for and she improved so much this season. :luv17:
Good luck in Seniors next year!

 

[Meoima]

:luv17: I love her jumps and speed!

 

[cathlen]

Congrats to Kaori! I was more happy for her than other medalists Me too, I really love the way she jumps!

 

[daphenaxa]

beautiful skate! beautiful skater!

 

[berry8]

Kaori's 3F is the best in the field

 

[deedee1]

Many many congrats to Kaori for winning the bronze medal at JWC! Very solid two clean skates, esp. not breaking down on pressure to skate the dead last in the Free!

I echo every comments above; her jumps and speed are to die for! What I do love more, however, is she's improved in the area of presentation and skating itself so much every time I saw her at competitions. :yes: Mai Mihara in this regard, too. Just amaging and a joy to watch skaters from Team Kobe this season. Kudos to skaters and their coaches Sonoko Nakano and Mitsuko Graham!

 

[marlet]

I really love Kaori jumps, so powerful and soft, her presentation is improving too!!

 

[randomfan]

Kaori was one of my favourites this season. Her explosive jumps, incredible speed, good energy, and her smile are all things to fall in love with. I'm so excited to see her next season.

 

[venx]

Congrats Kaori for bronze medal! :clapper:
She was flying over the ice with those big jumps, great performance.

 

[mikeko666]

She has jumps that many senior men would die for. She's said many times that Akiko Suzuki is her inspiration. I'm sure her presentation will continue to improve. I look forward to seeing her in the senior circuit next season.

She is also a very funny and charming girl off the ice. :luv17:

 

[mikeko666]

Kaori's new FS "Ameli" choreographed by Benoît Richaud
https://youtu.be/CNTzCYiYNKM

I actually went to see Dreams on Ice, and loved her program most.

 

[matmuh]

Kaori's new FS "Ameli" choreographed by Benoît Richaud
https://youtu.be/CNTzCYiYNKM

I actually went to see Dreams on Ice, and loved her program most.

ahhh lucky you!!! i love the program a lot too :luv17:

 

[OneFlutzAway]

Kaori's new SP filmed by @boredjdc on Twitter (reposted with permission) - https://twitter.com/boredjdc/status/893427401291579392

I absolutely love it, they've found music that suits her down to the ground, and the 2A on the music is my absolute favourite!!

Score: 36.70 + 27.00 = 63.70 - rank 1 after SP (Yuna Shiraiwa is just over 1 point behind).

 

[YesWay]

Kaori's new SP filmed by @boredjdc on Twitter (reposted with permission) - https://twitter.com/boredjdc/status/893427401291579392

I absolutely love it, they've found music that suits her down to the ground, and the 2A on the music is my absolute favourite!!

Score: 36.70 + 27.00 = 63.70 - rank 1 after SP (Yuna Shiraiwa is just over 1 point behind).

Totally agree - great choice of music and choreography for her, and I see what you mean about that 2A right on the music...!

Wow. An instant favourite.

 

[mikeko666]

Kaori's SP on YouTube (choreographed by Kenji Miyamoto)
https://youtu.be/aauzbmY0aZ0

FS
https://youtu.be/WkLeAl6UBhU

EX "Moonlight Sonata"
https://youtu.be/qBEL52j5ExI

I'm so glad to see her mature as a performer :luv17:.

 

[zanadude]

Kaori scored 201.15 points in a local competition. Some footage from the 10 second to 30 second mark in the following video:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x645wki