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 2018 Four Continents 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 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.

Updated 27 March 2020 by dorispulaski
Previously updated on 15 April 2019 by Mohacz​

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

Personal Best Scores under +5/-5 GOE​

Type	Score	Competition
SP	76.95	ISU World Team Trophy 2019
FS	146.70	ISU World Team Trophy 2019
TS	223.65	ISU World Team Trophy 2019

Personal Best Scores under +3/-3 GOE​

Type	Score	Competition
SP	73.18	XXIII Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018
FS	142.87	ISU Four Continents Championships 2018
TS	214.21	ISU Four Continents Championships 2018

Programs and Videos​

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=movieLaye...Id=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
Rows in azure ---> Japanese regional competitions​

	Short program	Free skating	Total
Competition	Category	Score	Pos.	Score	Pos.	Score	Pos.
2019/2020
2020 Four Continents	Senior	73.07	4	129.72	8	202.79	5
Japanese Championships 2019	Senior	69.95	3	118.31	7	188.26	6
Internationaux de France 2019	Senior	64.08	6	135.16	4	199.24	4
Skate America 2019	Senior	73.25	2	129.22	4	202.47	4
27th Ondrej Nepela Trophy	Senior	59.97	4	134.45	2	194.42	2
2018/2019
2019 World Team Trophy (individual / team)	Senior	76.95	3	146.70	3	223.65	3 / 2
2019 World Championship	Senior	76.86	2	145.97	5	222.83	5
2019 Four Continents Championships	Senior	73.36	2	133.43	4	206.79	4
2018/19 Japan National Championships	Senior	75.65	2	152.36	2	228.01	1
2018/19 GP Final Vancouver	Senior	70.23	4	141.45	4	211.68	4
2018 GP Helsinki	Senior	57.26	7	140.16	2	197.42	3
2018 GP Skate America	Senior	71.29	2	142.61	2	213.90	2
2018 Japan Open	Senior			130.28	2
2018 CS Lombardia Trophy	Senior	49.91	9	130.94	2	180.85	4
2017/2018
2018 Coupe du Printemps	Senior	73.27	1	129.29	2	202.56	2
XXIII Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018	Senior	73.18	5	136.53	6	209.71	6
2018 Four Continents Championships	Senior	71.34	2	142.87	1	214.21	1
2017/18 Japan National Championships	Senior	73.59	1	139.92	4	213.51	2
2017 GP Skate America	Senior	69.40	2	141.19	2	210.59	2
2017 Western Section Championships	Senior	67.58	1	118.96	2	186.54	1
2017 GP Rostelecom Cup	Senior	68.88	4	125.12	5	194.00	5
2017 Kinki Regional Championships	Senior	68.84	1	132.31	1	201.15	1
2017 CS U.S. International Figure Skating Classic	Senior	56.82	5	112.30	4	169.12	4
2017 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy	Senior	63.70	1	112.41	1	176.11	1
2016/2017
World Junior Championship 2017	Junior	67.78	3	127.76	3	195.54	3
2016/17 Japan National Championships	Senior	63.36	6	120.64	9	184.00	7
2016/17 GP Final	Junior	64.48	2	111.85	4	176.33	3
2016/17 Japanese Junior National Championships	Junior	67.45	1	124.52	2	191.97	1
2016 Western Section Championships	Junior	66.25	1	127.34	1	193.59	1
2016 Kinki Regional Championships	Junior	64.87	2	116.32	3	181.19	3
2016 JGP Yokohama	Junior	65.66	1	122.15	2	187.81	1
2016 JGP St.Gervais	Junior	64.12	2	114.74	2	178.86	2
2015/2016
2016 Youth Olympics	Junior	56.25	5	98.98	6	155.23	6
2015/16 Japan National Championships	Senior	53.90	17	111.60	12	165.50	13
2015/16 Japan Junior National Championships	Junior	58.96	5	111.76	6	170.72	5
2015 JGP Torun, Poland	Junior	56.89	3	101.55	4	158.44	4
2015 JGP Riga Cup	Junior	58.75	3	112.20	2	170.95	2
2015 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy	Senior	39.64	3	99.36	3	139.00	3
2014/2015
2015 World Junior Championship	Junior	58.72	4	107.53	6	166.25	6
2014/15 Japan National Championships	Senior	57.81	7	109.65	6	167.46	6
2014/15 Japan Junior National Championships	Junior	57.35	4	111.47	3	168.82	2
2014 Western Section Championships	Junior	58.95	2	90.44	9	149.39	5
2014 Kinki Regional Championships	Junior	55.45	1	110.17	1	165.62	1
2014 JGP Nagoya TV Cup	Junior	52.70	6	93.46	7	146.16	7
2013/2014
2014 Challenge Cup	Junior	54.98	1	98.89	2	153.87	1
2013/14 Japan National Championships	Senior	56.29	9	95.56	16	151.85	15
2013/14 Japan Junior National Championships	Junior	47.14	8	101.64	4	148.78	6
2013 Western Section Championships	Junior	55.81	2	108.34	2	164.15	1
2013 JGP Czech Skate	Junior	52.80	7	93.69	6	146.49	6
2013 Kinki Regional Championships	Junior	51.17	1	99.46	1	150.63	1
2013 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy	Junior	53.20	1	102.28	1	155.48	1
2012/2013
22nd Triglav Trophy 2013	Advanced novice	37.64	2	77.51	2	115.15	2
2012/13 Japan Junior National Championships	Junior	46.56	13	92.96	7	139.52	9
2012/13 Japan Novice National Championships	Advanced novice			90.28	1
2012 Kinki Regional Championships	Advanced novice			91.16	1
2011/2012
2011/12 Japan Novice National Championships	Advanced novice			73.95	5
2011 Kinki Regional Championships	Advanced novice			71.30	1

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

 

[Alifyre]

I just went back and rewatched Kaori's free skate from Rostelecom and was really moved by her expressiveness in the Amelie program, that one performance made me an instant fan! Hoping she can go totally clean at Skate America! Gambatte Kaori!

 

[Ylyzybyth]

^ I also adore her program, the way she expresses herself, and the originality of it! I will be rooting for her this weekend!

 

[Alifyre]

Congratulations to Kaori to a well-earned silver at Skate America!! She skated so well, and was so adorable in the K&C! Love seeing excitement out of skaters. While I've seen crit for her miming, I honestly feel like Kaori is a very genuine young woman and the way she presents her programs is from the heart.

Man, Japanese nationals is going to be intense with all these talented ladies competing for only 2 spots! Kaori is making a case for herself now to be one of the two (although it will be hard to beat out the likes of Higuchi and Miyahara), so I'll keep my fingers crossed for her!

 

[YesWay]

Wonderful performances from Kaori at Skate America! Well deserved medal, and smashed her PB by about 15 points!

 

[yume]

Kaori was amazing. Love her reactions. I hate miming but her free was wonderful, the music is great. She have high chances of podium at nationals.

 

[Alifyre]

Good luck to Kaori in the nationals this weekend! I can't wait to see another rendition of that beautiful Amelie program. Go get your medal bb!!

 

[Alifyre]

Congratulations to Kaori for being in first place in the short program at Japanese Nationals!! She really brought every aspect to the table -- great speed, lovely edges, huge jumps, and a nice performance. So glad to see her so happy afterwards too! She's such a sweet girl, I love seeing how excited she gets over high scores. I don't think she was expecting to do so well, which may be why she hardly seems nervous at all. I hope she holds it together to give us an equally lovely free skate on Saturday! Kaori Sakamoto for the Olympic team!!

(A link for those who didn't get to watch it live)

 

[MaiKatze]

I hope she can skate a perfect Amelie. No matter where she ends up she's a winner in my book already!

 

[Barb]

She was wonderful, I hope she gets an olympic spot

 

[Marin]

She was just amazing, breathtaking SP ! I hope she will nail that LP too !! :luv17: