Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto claims fourth world figure skating gold and retires
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto has announced her retirement after winning a fourth women’s individual title at the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague.
The 25-year-old triumphed with a personal best score of 238.38 to sign off from the sport in spectacular fashion.
Her dominant victory makes her the first woman to secure four individual world titles since American great Michelle Kwan achieved her fifth in 2003.
A perfect farewell on the ice
There are no regrets at all. I can say goodbye with this performance. I gave it all I have.
Kaori Sakamoto
The newly crowned world champion arrived in the Czech Republic having won an Olympic silver medal just last month.
She capitalised brilliantly on the absence of Olympic gold medallist Alysa Liu, who opted not to compete at the season-ending event.
Podium finishes and American struggles
Compatriot Mone Chiba, who narrowly missed out on a medal with a fourth-place finish at the Winter Games, took silver with a score of 228.47.
Belgium’s Nina Pinzarrone completed the podium by claiming the bronze medal after recording a final score of 215.20.
It was a difficult session for American contender Amber Glenn, who slipped dramatically from third to sixth place during the free skate.
British duo chasing ice dance medals
In the separate ice dance event, Great Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson sit in third place following the rhythm dance.
The British pair scored 85.09 to stay firmly in contention for a podium finish ahead of Saturday’s decisive free dance.
Olympic champions Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron currently lead the discipline’s standings on 92.74 points.
The leaders hold a commanding advantage over Canada’s Olympic bronze medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who sit second with 86.45.
