Kaori Sakamoto received heartfelt farewell messages from two of her mentors: “Coaching is unglamorous and rarely fun.”
Two-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto held a retirement press conference that was filled with warmth and surprises. During the event, she stunned the audience by asking, “How about that thing?” before taking a group selfie with reporters, joking, “Are you laughing?”
In a surprise announcement, Sakamoto revealed she recently got married to a man her age who has a personality “completely opposite to mine.”
Supporters and fellow skaters praised her for brightening the ice with her positivity. Coach Nakano said, “Thank you for everything over the years.”
Tsuchida Akiteru commented on Sakamoto’s cheerful press conference: “It was so like her—lighthearted and full of warmth. She deserves even more recognition.”
“I feel a surge of motivation,” Sakamoto said after being surprised by her two beloved coaches during the press conference. The emotional moment highlighted the strong bond they share.
A photo of figure skating pair “Rikuryu” (Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara) enjoying a cake together drew fan reactions like “so adorable” and “love overflowing.” Miura smiled as Kihara playfully posed.
A new promising figure skating pair has emerged in Canada—a 21-year-old and a 25-year-old—just two weeks after their previous partnership was dissolved. Fans enthusiastically declared, “Can’t wait to see them!”
Sakamoto also shared a sweet moment from before her press conference: her husband’s comment that made fans say “He knows her so well!” and “What a perfect match.”
In other news, rising star Reito Nakata expressed his ambition to become a role model, saying, “I want to be someone others look up to.” He also discussed his fearless approach to the quadruple axel, stating, “I don’t feel much fear about it.”
Yuma Kagiyama emphasized that the current judging rules allow him to showcase the true essence of figure skating, especially through his exquisite performance of “Turandot.”
Meanwhile, the “Rikuryu” pair has evolved since the Beijing Olympics, with Miura declaring, “I’ve become the strongest version of myself here in Milan.”
These stories highlight the vibrant and evolving landscape of figure skating, from retirements and new beginnings to technical breakthroughs and emotional connections.