Under the glare of the spotlight on the biggest stage, Kaori Sakamoto delivered a stirring free skate routine and completed an undefeated season in Montreal.
After a few miscues in her short program, two-time defending world champion Kaori Sakamoto will have to rally to win her third straight world title.
After skating to "Baby, God Bless You," Kaori Sakamoto worked on her triple flip/triple toe loop combination for the world championships in Montreal.
Kaori Sakamoto and Shoma Uno are aiming to win their third consecutive figure skating world titles. Other key storylines are also highlighted.
Choreographer Benoit Richaud and coach Brian Orser, who have both worked with top Japanese skaters, also received accolades at the annual skating awards gala.
Kobe native Sakamoto triumphed for the third straight year at the Japan Championships as she exhibited her superior skating skills in the runaway victory.
Sakamoto executed all of her elements with excellent technique and flair at the Japan Championships on a night that saw errors by many of her competitors.
Though the focus will be on Uno and Kaori Sakamoto, the Japan Championships will also determine which skaters will represent Japan at the world championships.
Collecting seven medals including three golds in the junior and senior ranks in the Grand Prix Final in Beijing, Japan established a national record.
Showing why she is the best in the world, Kaori Sakamoto displayed beautiful line and edge during her free skate routine in the Chinese capital.
Skating in the third Grand Prix Final of her career, two-time world champion Sakamoto is attempting to win the prestigious competition for the first time.
A day before the Grand Prix Final starts, two-time defending men's world champ Uno and Beijing Olympic silver medalist Kagiyama land their jumps at practice.
