How Kaori Sakamoto Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of Kaori Sakamoto continue to shape the world today.

Kaori Sakamoto is a highly accomplished Japanese figure skater. She secured the bronze medal at the 2022 Olympics and two silver medals in the Olympic team event. Sakamoto has also achieved remarkable success at the World Championships, earning three gold medals (2022-2024) and a silver medal (2025). Her other notable achievements include winning the 2018 Four Continents Championships, the 2023-24 Grand Prix Final, and multiple Grand Prix medals. Domestically, she has been a dominant force, claiming the Japanese national title six times. Early in her career, she won a bronze medal at the 2017 World Junior Championships and at the 2016-17 Junior Grand Prix Final.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1966: Peggy Fleming's First Consecutive World Title

Peggy Fleming began her streak of three consecutive World titles from 1966-1968.

1968: Peggy Fleming's Last Consecutive World Title

Peggy Fleming's streak of three consecutive World titles lasted from 1966-1968.

1991: Kristi Yamaguchi's First World Championship Win

In 1991, Kristi Yamaguchi was the first woman to win consecutive World Championships after abolition of compulsory figures.

1992: Kristi Yamaguchi's Second World Championship Win

In 1992, Kristi Yamaguchi won her second World Championship, making it consecutive wins after abolition of compulsory figures.

2000: Michelle Kwan's First World Championship Win

In 2000, Michelle Kwan was the second woman to win consecutive World Championships after abolition of compulsory figures.

2001: Michelle Kwan's Second World Championship Win

In 2001, Michelle Kwan won her second World Championship, making it consecutive wins after abolition of compulsory figures.

2010: Mao Asada's Olympic Medal

In 2010, Mao Asada won a medal at the Olympics, which was the last time a Japanese woman had medaled in twelve years before Sakamoto's bronze in 2022.

2014: Last Japanese Woman's Singles Win at World Championships Before Sakamoto

In 2014, before Sakamoto's win in 2022, the last time a Japanese woman's singles skater won the World Championships.

2014: Inspiration from Akiko Suzuki at 2014 Winter Olympics

In June 2025, Sakamoto mentioned that for her free skate, one of the songs used in the program, "Hymne à l'amour", was music Sakamoto had been saving to use in her last season after having seen fellow Japanese skater Akiko Suzuki perform to it during her own final season at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

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