Kaori Sakamoto, the two-time Olympic medalist in women’s figure skating, has spoken candidly about the moment she made the decision to retire. The 24-year-old skater, who represented Smile Corporation throughout her career, reflected on ending her competitive journey after approximately 21 years in the sport. “I felt these four years would be my last,” Sakamoto said during a recent interview. “I had already made up my mind, I was prepared.” She explained that she had no regrets and felt it was the right time to step away from competition. Sakamoto’s retirement press conference is scheduled for May 13, where she is expected to share further details about her plans for the future. Known for her technical skill and consistency, she earned medals at the 2022 and 2018 Winter Olympics, cementing her legacy as one of Japan’s top figure skaters.
