Kaori Sakamoto Rolls to 4th Straight Title at the Japan Championships

Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto extended her streak of dominance at the Japan Championships to a fourth consecutive year with a convincing victory on Sunday night, December 22 at Ractab Dome in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture.

The 24-year-old star displayed her maturity and poise in the free skate to hold off junior sensation Mao Shimada and win by more than nine points.

Sakamoto's winning total score was 228.68 points. The 16-year-old Shimada, who was just three points behind Sakamoto after the short program, tallied 219.00 in second place. Wakaba Higuchi finished third with 206.40, while Mone Chiba came in fourth on 205.69.

Rino Matsuike (204.00) was fifth, and Mako Yamashita (200.25) rallied from 12th after the short program to come in sixth.

The triumph was the fifth of Sakamoto's career at the Japan Championships and came after a disappointing showing at the Grand Prix Final earlier in the month that saw her finish third.

Sakamoto 'Relieved' to Win Another Japan Championships Title

Skating to "All That Jazz," Sakamoto landed five clean triple jumps and received level fours on all of her spins in an energetic performance. Her step sequence was judged a level three.

"I am frustrated that I couldn't land a triple-triple jump," Sakamoto stated. "Even so, I was able to win consecutive championships and now I am relieved. There were happy, frustrated, relieved and various emotions when I finished."

Added Sakamoto, "Last year, I was happy to aim for three consecutive championships. This year, I didn't focus on four consecutive championships. I feel like I have achieved it, but I don't feel as fulfilled as last year."

Shimada Has Her Best Showing at the Japan Championships

Shimada, the three-time world junior titlist, competed to "Mado Kara Mieru" and under-rotated her opening triple axel, then fell on her quadruple toe loop. She recovered to hit seven clean triples and record level fours on all of her spins. Her step sequence was a level three.

Despite not winning, Shimada improved on her third-place result of the previous two years at the Japan Championships with her first silver medal in the event.

"I am really happy to be second at the Japan Championships where the great skaters are gathered," Shimada commented. "The quad was a failure, but I skated without mistakes after that."

Added Shimada, who won her fourth straight Japan junior crown in November, "After finishing second, I want to win the championship next year."

Higuchi Pleased with Her Performance

The 23-year-old Higuchi claimed her sixth career medal at the national contest with her skate to "Nature Boy" and "Running Up That Hill." She landed four clean triples, but was judged a quarter rotation short on a triple toe loop and a triple flip. Her skating skills shone brightly with level fours on all of her spins and step sequence.

"I am very happy that I was able to have such a result," Higuchi remarked. "At the end of the competition my impression is that I could do more, so it was an event that really leads to the next one."

Chiba Struggles in the Free Skate

Chiba, who was third after the short program, tumbled to seventh in the free skate and off the podium. She fell on a triple salchow and under-rotated two other jumps.

"My mistakes in the free skate are echoing, and I feel very frustrated," Chiba said. "I thought I wouldn't cry, but tears came, as I have always been bad at the salchow. This season I have been able to persevere and jump even in tense situations, but there was pressure here."

Miura, Kihara Win Pairs Title; Yoshida, Morita Triumph in Ice Dance

Earlier Sunday, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara easily won the pairs title with 212.33. Yuna Nagaoka and Sumitada Moriguchi were second with 176.68, while Sae Shimizu and Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda placed third on 136.72.

Utana Yoshida and Masaya Morita prevailed in ice dance with 176.21, with Azusa Tanaka and Shingo Nishiyama taking second at 168.92.

Author: Jack Gallagher

The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan.