Kaori Sakamoto, the Olympic silver medalist in women’s figure skating, held a press conference in her hometown of Kobe on May 13, where she officially announced her retirement from competitive skating and her transition into coaching.
During the event, Sakamoto surprised reporters with a handwritten card, a rare gesture in Japanese sports. The note reflected her personal warmth and gratitude, including a heartfelt line: “Thank you for putting up with my rambles.” The card’s simple yet sincere tone underscored the skater’s humble and approachable personality, traits that fans have long admired.
Sakamoto, who turns 26 this year, explained that her decision to retire was based on a desire to focus on coaching. “I want to be a strict mentor, even if it means becoming the ‘villain’ in my students’ eyes,” she said with a smile. She also expressed appreciation for the support she received from her team, especially regarding nutrition and physical condition, which helped her push through a challenging season.
The skater’s retirement marks the end of an era for Japanese figure skating, but her future in coaching promises to inspire a new generation of athletes.
