Sakamoto and Yuna Aoki will represent Japan in women's singles at the Challenge Cup, with Kazuki Tomono and Tatsuya Tsuboi set to skate in the men's...
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.
Despite a shaky performance in her free skate, Kaori Sakamoto achieved her goal of advancing to the Grand Prix Final for the second straight season.
Mana Kawabe, Hana Yoshida and Mone Chiba are Japan's Skate America women's entrants. Shun Sato, Tatsuya Tsuboi and Nozomu Yoshioka are the men's entrants.
Kaori Sakamoto, Mai Mihara and Mana Kawabe sweep the Challenge Cup women's event, while Shun Sato and Sota Yamamoto finish 1-2 in the men's.
The 22-year-old world champion, who won her previous national titles in 2018 and 2021, lands six clean triples and triumphs by more than 13 points.
Positioned in second place after the short program, Mai Mihara displayed veteran poise in her free skate to "El Amor Brujo" to secure the victory.
The 22-year-old Yamamoto landed three clean quadruple jumps and five triples en route to victory in Japan’s biggest summer competition.
Without Yuzuru Hanyu, Nathan Chen and suspended Russian skaters, the 2022-23 Grand Prix season will have a different vibe.
The Olympic bronze medalist's victory gave Japan its first world title by a woman since Mao Asada won the last of her three titles in 2014.
The Olympic bronze medalist earned level fours on all of her spins and step sequence.
Daisuke Takahashi and Mao Asada were the first two skaters to sweep both singles titles for Japan, doing so at the 2010 world championships.