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Kaori Sakamoto

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Kaori Sakamoto
Sakamoto in 2018
Native name坂本花織
Born (2000-04-09) 9 April 2000 (age 24)
Kobe, Japan
HometownKobe, Japan
Height1.59 m (5 ft 3 in)
Figure skating career
CountryJapan Japan
CoachSonoko Nakano
Mitsuko Graham
Skating clubSysmex Kobe
Began skating2004
Medal record
Representing  Japan
Ladies' figure skating
Four Continents Championships
Gold medal – first place 2018 Taipei Ladies’ Singles
World Team Trophy
Silver medal – second place 2019 Fukuoka Team
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Taipei Ladies' singles
Junior Grand Prix Final
Bronze medal – third place 2016–17 Marseille Ladies' singles

Kaori Sakamoto (坂本花織, Sakamoto Kaori, born 9 April 2000) is a Japanese figure skater. 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 2018 Japanese national champion, and the 2017 Japanese national silver medalist. She placed 6th at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Earlier in her career, Sakamoto won bronze medals at the 2017 World Junior Championships and at the 2016 Junior Grand Prix Final.

Sakamoto is currently the fifth highest ranked ladies' singles skater in world by the International Skating Union following the 2019-20 figure skating season.

Career

Early years

Sakamoto began learning to skate in 2004 in Kobe.[8][9] She won the gold medal at the 2012–13 Japan Novice Championships and placed 9th at the Japan Junior Championships in the same year. She was invited to skate in the gala at the 2013 World Team Trophy.

2013–2014 season: International junior debut

During the 2013–2014 season, Sakamoto debuted on the ISU Junior Grand Prix (JGP) circuit, placing sixth in Ostrava, Czech Republic. She finished eighth at the Japan Junior Championships.

2014–2015 season

Sakamoto started her season by finishing seventh at her JGP event in Aichi, Japan. She went on to win the Japanese national silver medal on the junior level before placing sixth on the senior level at the 2014–15 Japan Championships. Those results gave her a spot to compete at the 2015 World Junior Championships, where she placed fourth in the short program and 6th in the free skate to place sixth overall.

2015–2016 season

Sakamoto began her season by winning the silver medal at her JGP event in Riga, Latvia, and finishing fourth at her JGP event in Toruń, Poland. Due to a stress fracture in her right shinbone, she stayed off the ice in October and resumed skating without jumps in November.[10] At the Japanese Championships, she placed fifth competing in the junior event and thirteenth on the senior level. Sakamoto was selected to compete at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics. She placed fifth in the short program and sixth in the free skate to finish sixth overall.

2016–2017 season: World Junior bronze medalist

Bronze medalist Sakamoto (right) with compatriot silver medalist Marin Honda at the 2017 World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

Sakamoto received medals at both of her 2016–17 JGP assignments – silver in France and gold in Japan[10] – and then won the Japanese junior title. In December, she took the bronze medal at the JGP Final in Marseille, France, and placed seventh competing on the senior level at the Japan Championships. She was assigned to replace the injured Satoko Miyahara at the 2017 Asian Winter Games but withdrew due to the flu.[11] She went on to win bronze at the 2017 World Junior Championships.[12] She was invited to skate in the gala at the 2017 World Team Trophy as the junior worlds bronze medalist.

2017–2018 season: Olympic season and Four Continents champion

Sakamoto started her first full senior season at the 2017 Asian Figure Skating Trophy, placing first in both segments to take the gold. At the 2017 U.S Classic, she placed fifth in the short program and 4th in the free skate to place fourth overall, behind compatriot and gold medalist Marin Honda. Making her senior Grand Prix debut, she finished 5th at the 2017 Rostelecom Cup after placing fourth in the short program and fifth in the free skate. At the 2017 Skate America, she scored new personal best scores for both segments of the competition; she placed second in both the short program and free skate and won the silver medal overall behind teammate Satoko Miyahara.

Sakamoto at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

At the 2017-18 Japan Figure Skating Championships, Sakamoto won the short program. In the free skate, she placed fourth and won the silver medal, her first senior national medal. Following the competition, the Japan Skating Federation named Sakamoto in Japan's team to the 2018 Winter Olympics, alongside Satoko Miyahara.[13] Sakamoto was named in Japan's team to the 2018 Four Continents Championships with Miyahara and training-mate Mai Mihara. She was also selected as the first alternate for the 2018 World Championships, behind Miyahara and Wakaba Higuchi.

At the 2018 Four Continents Championships, Sakamoto placed second in the short program with a new personal best score, behind teammate Satoko Miyahara. Sakamoto won the free skate with another personal best score, and won the championship, leading a Japanese sweep of the podium.

Sakamoto competed in the ladies' free skating portion of the Team Event at the 2018 Winter Olympics. She placed fifth individually, and fifth overall within Team Japan. In the ladies' singles competition, Sakamoto skated a new personal best short program and was fifth going into the free skate. In the free skate, Sakamoto made minor mistakes, but still was able to post the sixth highest free skating score of the event, and ended in sixth place overall.

Post-Olympics, Sakamoto competed at the 2018 Coupe du Printemps. In the short program, she placed first. In the free skate, she fell on the second jump of a planned double axel-triple toe loop-double toe loop combination, and doubled a planned triple loop to place second in the segment. She ended the competition second overall behind compatriot Mai Mihara.

2018–2019 season: First national title

Sakamoto began the season at the 2018 CS Lombardia Trophy, where a disastrous short program left her in ninth place going into the free skate. She placed second in the free skate, rebounding to fourth place overall. Subsequently, Sakamoto indicated that she felt she had not had enough practice time before the event.[14] Competing at the 2018 Skate America, she repeated as the silver medalist, again finishing behind compatriot Miyahara. She pronounced herself "satisfied" with the results.[15] At her second event, the 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki, Sakamoto fell twice in the short program, ending up in seventh place. She came second in the free skate, to place third overall, and remarked: "I gave it everything I had that was the only chance I would have to make it to the podium today. I forgot about yesterday's program, and I just gave my best today."[16]

At the 2018–19 Grand Prix Final, Sakamoto placed fourth in both segments, narrowly missing the podium after falling on the last part of her three-jump combination. She expressed happiness at the score she had achieved even with the error.[17]

Competing in the 2018 Japan Championships, Sakamoto placed second in the short program, slightly over a point behind Miyahara, the four-time defending champion. In the free skate, she again placed second, behind Rika Kihira, but placed ahead of Kihira in the overall points total to win the gold medal. In doing so, she became the first skater to place ahead of Kihira in senior competition. She was named to the Japanese teams for the 2019 Four Continents Championships and the 2019 World Championships.[18]

At Four Continents, Sakamoto placed second in the short program with a new personal best, 0.55 points behind Bradie Tennell.[19] In the free skate, she missed her three-jump combination when she popped the opening double Axel, and despite adding a double toe loop to her final jump, she lost several points as a result, and placed fourth in the free. She missed the podium overall by 0.33 points. She expressed frustration at the end, saying "I was very nervous and I missed some elements. It was such a disappointment, but I learned from this failure. I want to be stronger. At the World Championships, I want to put out the performance, both short and free, that is sharp and clean."[20]

At the World Championships in Saitama, Sakamoto placed second in the short program, winning a silver small medal.[21] In the free skate, a popped triple flip caused her to fall to fifth place overall. Sakamoto commented: "I still cannot figure out why I always cannot perform a perfect program, a performance without any mistakes."[22] Sakamoto concluded the season at the 2019 World Team Trophy, where she won the silver medal as part of Team Japan.[23]

2019–2020 season

Sakamoto began the season at the 2019 CS Ondrej Nepela Memorial, where she won the silver medal, her first Challenger medal.

Beginning on the Grand Prix at 2019 Skate America, Sakamoto placed second in the short program and fourth in the free skate after popping two of her jumps and finished the event fourth overall. [24][25] Her second Grand-Prix event was the 2019 Internationaux de France, where she placed sixth in the short program after falling on a double Axel and putting a foot down on her triple loop.[26] Sakamoto was fourth in the free skate, despite several underrotations, rising to fourth place overall.[27]

On the 2019–20 Japanese Championships, Sakamoto was third in the short program despite underrotating the back half of her jump combination, and was narrowly behind second-place Satoko Miyahara.[28] She struggled in the free skate, underrotating or downgrading five jumps, and falling once, placing seventh in that segment and dropping to sixth place overall.[29] Commenting on her disappointing results afterward, she attributed much of her difficulty this season to the absence of her friend and longtime training partner Mai Mihara, who was sidelined from training due to illness: "But this year I could not fight by myself. I’m old enough now that I should be able to rely on myself."[30]

Despite her sixth-place finish at the national championships, Sakamoto was assigned to compete at the 2020 Four Continents Championships, where she was fourth in the short program despite turning out of the landing on her triple loop.[31] In the free skate, Sakamoto attempted a quad toe loop in competition for the first time, but fell and had the jump deemed downgraded. Making several other errors, she dropped to fifth place overall. Speaking afterward, she said "I couldn't fully trust myself. I'm glad I can use this experience and results as a learning experience for next season and future competitions."[32]

Programs

Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2019–2020
[33]
2018–2019
[8][34]
2017–2018
[35][36][37]

James Bond 007 medley[40]

2016–2017
[41]
2015–2016
[42]
2014–2015
[43]
2013–2014
[44]

Competitive highlights

Sakamoto (right) with Alina Zagitova (center) and Stanislava Konstantinova (left) at the 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki podium.
International[45]
Event 10–11 11–12 12–13 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18 18–19 19–20
Olympics 6th
Worlds 5th
Four Continents 1st 4th 5th
GP Final 4th
GP Finland 3rd
GP France 4th
GP Rostelecom 5th
GP Skate America 2nd 2nd 4th
CS Lombardia 4th
CS Ondrej Nepela 2nd
CS U.S. Classic 4th
Asian Games WD
Asian Open 3rd 1st
Coupe Printemps 2nd WD
International: Junior[45]
Junior Worlds 6th 3rd
Youth Olympics 6th
JGP Final 3rd
JGP Czech Rep. 6th
JGP France 2nd
JGP Japan 7th 1st
JGP Latvia 2nd
JGP Poland 4th
Asian Open 1st
Challenge Cup 1st
International: Advanced novice[46]
Triglav Trophy 2nd
National[46][47]
Japan 15th 6th 13th 7th 2nd 1st 6th
Japan Junior 9th 6th 2nd 5th 1st
Japan Novice 24th B 5th A 1st A
Team events
Olympics 5th T
5th P
Japan Open 1st T
2nd P
World Team Trophy 2nd T
3rd P
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew
T = Team result; P = Personal result. Medals awarded for team result only.

Detailed results

Senior level

Sakamoto at the 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki.

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. At team events, medals awarded for team results only. ISU Personal bests in bold.

2019-20season
Date Event SP FS Total
March 13-15, 2020 2020 Coupe du Printemps WD WD WD
February 4–9, 2020 2020 Four Continents Championships 4
73.07 		8
129.72 		5
202.79
December 18–22, 2019 2019–20 Japan Championships 3
69.95 		7
118.31 		6
188.26
November 1–3, 2019 2019 Internationaux de France 6
64.04 		4
135.16 		4
199.24
October 18–20, 2019 2019 Skate America 2
73.25 		4
129.22 		4
202.47
September 19–21, 2019 2019 CS Ondrej Nepela Memorial 4
59.97 		2
134.45 		2
194.42
2018–19 season
Date Event SP FS Total
April 11–14, 2019 2019 World Team Trophy 3
76.95 		3
146.70 		2T/3P
223.65
March 18–24, 2019 2019 World Championships 2
76.86 		5
145.97 		5
222.83
February 7–10, 2019 2019 Four Continents Championships 2
73.36 		4
133.43 		4
206.79
December 20–24, 2018 2018–19 Japan Championships 2
75.65 		2
152.36 		1
228.01
December 6–9, 2018 2018–19 Grand Prix Final 4
70.23 		4
141.45 		4
211.68
November 2–4, 2018 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki 7
57.26 		2
140.16 		3
197.42
October 19–21, 2018 2018 Skate America 2
71.29 		2
142.61 		2
213.90
October 6, 2018 2018 Japan Open – 2
130.28 		1T
September 12–16, 2018 2018 CS Lombardia Trophy 9
49.91 		2
130.94 		4
180.85
2017–18 season
Date Event SP FS Total
March 16–18, 2018 2018 Coupe du Printemps 1
73.27 		2
129.29 		2
202.56
February 15–23, 2018 2018 Winter Olympics 5
73.18 		6
136.53 		6
209.71
February 9–12, 2018 2018 Winter Olympics (team event) - 5
131.91 		5T
January 22–28, 2018 2018 Four Continents Championships 2
71.34 		1
142.87 		1
214.21
December 21–24, 2017 2017–18 Japan Championships 1
73.59 		4
139.92 		2
213.51
November 24–26, 2017 2017 Skate America 2
69.40 		2
141.19 		2
210.59
October 20–22, 2017 2017 Rostelecom Cup 4
68.88 		5
125.12 		5
194.00
September 13–17, 2017 2017 U.S. Classic 5
56.82 		4
112.30 		4
169.12
August 2–5, 2017 2017 Asian Trophy 1
63.70 		1
112.41 		1
176.11

Junior level

Sakamoto at the 2017 World Junior Championships.
Sakamoto at the 2015 World Junior Championships.

Small medals for short program and free skating awarded only at ISU Championships.

2016–17 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
March 13–19, 2017 2017 World Junior Championships Junior 3
67.78 		3
127.76 		3
195.54
December 22–25, 2016 2016–17 Japan Championships Senior 6
63.36 		9
120.64 		7
184.00
November 18–20, 2016 2016–17 Japan Junior Championships Junior 1
67.45 		1
124.52 		1
191.97
December 8–11, 2016 2016–17 JGP Final Junior 2
64.48 		4
111.85 		3
176.33
September 7–11, 2016 2016 JGP Japan Junior 1
65.66 		2
122.15 		1
187.81
August 24–27, 2016 2016 JGP France Junior 2
64.12 		2
114.74 		2
178.86
2015–16 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
February 12–21, 2016 2016 Youth Olympics Junior 5
56.25 		6
98.98 		6
155.23
December 24–27, 2015 2015–16 Japan Championships Senior 17
53.90 		12
111.60 		13
165.50
November 21–23, 2015 2015–16 Japan Junior Championships Junior 5
58.96 		6
111.76 		5
170.72
September 23–27, 2015 2015 JGP Poland Junior 3
56.89 		4
101.55 		4
158.44
August 26–30, 2015 2015 JGP Latvia Junior 3
58.75 		2
112.20 		2
170.95
August 2–5, 2015 2015 Asian Open Trophy Senior 3
39.64 		3
99.36 		3
139.00
2014–15 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
March 2–8, 2015 2015 World Junior Championships Junior 4
58.72 		6
107.53 		6
166.25
December 26–28, 2014 2014–15 Japan Championships Senior 7
57.81 		6
109.65 		6
167.46
November 22–24, 2014 2014–15 Japan Junior Championships Junior 4
57.35 		2
111.47 		2
168.82
September 11–14, 2014 2014 JGP Japan Junior 6
52.70 		7
93.46 		7
146.16
2013–14 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
March 14–16, 2014 2014 International Challenge Cup Junior 1
54.98 		2
98.89 		1
153.87
December 20–23, 2013 2013–14 Japan Championships Senior 9
56.29 		16
95.56 		15
151.85
November 22–24, 2013 2013–14 Japan Junior Championships Junior 8
47.14 		4
101.64 		6
148.78
October 2–5, 2013 2013 JGP Czech Republic Junior 7
52.80 		6
93.69 		6
146.49
August 8–11, 2013 2013 Asian Open Trophy Junior 1
53.20 		1
102.28 		1
155.48
2012–13 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
March 27–31, 2013 2013 Triglav Trophy Novice 2
37.64 		2
77.51 		2
115.15
November 17–28, 2012 2012–13 Japan Junior Championships Junior 13
46.56 		7
92.96 		9
139.52

References

  1. ^ "ISU World Standings 2019/2020. Ladies". isu.org. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  2. ^ "Seasons Best Scores". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Seasons Best Scores". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Seasons Best Scores". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  5. ^ "Seasons Best Scores". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Seasons Best Scores". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Seasons Best Scores". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Kaori SAKAMOTO: 2018/2019". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019.
  9. ^ "Athlete Profile - Kaori SAKAMOTO". pyeongchang2018.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018.
  10. ^ a b Xiong, Wei (October 18, 2016). "Kaori Sakamoto: "I need to work harder"". Golden Skate.
  11. ^ "Sakamoto out of figure skating competition at Asian Winter Games with flu". Kyodo News. The Japan Times. February 22, 2017.
  12. ^ Flade, Tatjana (18 March 2017). "Russia's Alina Zagitova triumphs at Junior Worlds". Golden Skate.
  13. ^ "Kaori Sakamoto looking for further improvement ahead of Pyeongchang Games". Kyodo News. The Japan Times. December 25, 2017.
  14. ^ Gallagher, Jack (October 16, 2018). "Cheerful personality helps Kaori Sakamoto shine on ice". The Japan Times.
  15. ^ Slater, Paula (October 21, 2018). "Miyahara takes second Skate America gold". Golden Skate.
  16. ^ Slater, Paula (November 3, 2018). "Zagitova wins fifth Grand Prix gold in Helsinki". Golden Skate.
  17. ^ Flett, Ted (December 9, 2018). "Japan's Rika Kihira reigns in Vancouver". Golden Skate.
  18. ^ "Sakamoto shakes it up at Japanese Nationals; win's first title". Golden Skate. 23 December 2018.
  19. ^ Slater, Paula (February 7, 2019). "Bradie Tennell takes slight lead in Anaheim". Golden Skate.
  20. ^ Slater, Paula (February 9, 2019). "Kihira captures gold in Anaheim in debut at Four Continents". Golden Skate.
  21. ^ Slater, Paula (March 20, 2019). "Zagitova after Worlds short program: 'It was a good performance'". Golden Skate.
  22. ^ Slater, Paula (March 22, 2019). "Zagitova pounces on World gold in Saitama". Golden Skate.
  23. ^ Slater, Paula (April 13, 2019). "Team USA wins fourth World Team Trophy gold". Golden Skate.
  24. ^ Slater, Paula (October 19, 2019). "USA's Bradie Tennell leads at 2019 Skate America". Golden Skate.
  25. ^ Slater, Paula (October 20, 2019). "Shcherbakova of Russia captures gold at Skate America in Grand Prix debut". Golden Skate.
  26. ^ Slater, Paula (November 1, 2019). "Alena Kostornaia of Russia leads ladies in Grand Prix debut". Golden Skate.
  27. ^ Slater, Paula (November 2, 2019). "Russia's Alena Kostornaia takes gold in Grand Prix debut". Golden Skate.
  28. ^ Slater, Paula (December 19, 2019). "Rika Kihira leads ladies at Japanese Nationals". Golden Skate.
  29. ^ Slater, Paula (December 21, 2019). "Rika Kihira claims first Japanese National title". Golden Skate.
  30. ^ Gallagher, Jack (December 21, 2019). "Rika Kihira displays confidence, elegance en route to first senior national title". Golden Skate.
  31. ^ Slater, Paula (February 6, 2020). "Japan's Kihira leads ladies at Four Continents". Golden Skate.
  32. ^ Slater, Paula (February 8, 2020). "Kihira defends title at Four Continents". Golden Skate.
  33. ^ "SYWTWFS 2019-2020 Program Master List". docs.google.com. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
  34. ^ Xiong, Wei (January 15, 2019). "Kaori Sakamoto: the coming of age". insideskating.net.
  35. ^ 大橋, 護良 (June 27, 2017). "「トリプルアクセルを絶対に跳びたい」シニアデビュー控える１７歳・坂本花織". Yahoo Japan. スポーツナビ.
  36. ^ "坂本花織、ＳＰ曲を変更　ジャンプ全て後半にするも、ミスが相次ぐ". Daily Sports, 神戸新聞. August 12, 2017.
  37. ^ "Kaori SAKAMOTO: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018.
  38. ^ a b "木下グループ presents スターズ・オン・アイス 2018 (Special)". TBS 2. 21 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |people= (help)
  39. ^ THE Legends - Medal Winners Gala (Television production). TBS 1. March 30, 2018.
  40. ^ ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Rostelecom Cup 2017 Exhibition (Television production). Match! Arena. October 22, 2017.
  41. ^ "Kaori SAKAMOTO: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 20, 2017.
  42. ^ "Kaori SAKAMOTO: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016.
  43. ^ "Kaori SAKAMOTO: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015.
  44. ^ "Kaori SAKAMOTO: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 22, 2014.
  45. ^ a b "Competition Results: Kaori SAKAMOTO". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 31, 2018.
  46. ^ a b "Kaori Sakamoto". Tracings.net.
  47. ^ "坂本 花織 / SAKAMOTO Kaori" (in Japanese). Japan Skating Federation. Archived from the original on March 7, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.

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