Kaori Sakamoto put up a valiant fight in her bid for a fourth consecutive world crown but came up just short at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Boston on Friday, March 28.
The 24-year-old was three points behind Alysa Liu of the United States after the short program, and in a good position to have a shot at winning again, but was unable to pull off the feat in the free skate.
Liu won the gold medal with a personal best total score of 222.97 points, with Sakamoto claiming the silver at 217.98 and Mone Chiba taking the bronze on 215.24.
Isabeau Levito (209.84) and Amber Glenn (205.65), American compatriots of Liu, finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Wakaba Higuchi, who was fourth after the short program, wound up sixth with 204.58.
A Long American Title Drought Ends
Liu's triumph, the first by an American woman at the worlds since Kimmie Meissner in 2006, completed a storybook comeback that saw her ascend to her maiden world title in her first season back from a shocking two-year retirement.
The 19-year-old, from Richmond, California, quit the sport in frustration after capturing the bronze at the 2022 world championships in what looked like the end to a career that had seen her win two US crowns.
She did not make the podium at either of her Grand Prix assignments this season, nor at February's Four Continents Championships, so her victory at the biggest competition of the season was as stunning as when she decided to give up skating.
"I'm not going to lie, this is an insane story," Liu remarked. "Don't know how I came back to be world champion."
Kaori Sakamoto Impacted by Jump Miscues
In truth, Sakamoto's bid for a fourth title suffered a real blow when she was unable to put up a higher score in the short program. As the saying in skating goes: "You can't win it in the short program, but you sure can lose it."
Sakamoto skated to "Chicago" and landed five clean triple jumps, but under-rotated a triple salchow on her first combination jump and was judged a quarter rotation short on the back end of a triple flip/triple toe loop combo later.
The Kobe native earned level fours on all of her spins and step sequence, but the two miscues on the jumps proved costly in the end. Nevertheless, she received a rousing standing ovation from the appreciative crowd after finishing her program.
"I am so emotional right now," Sakamoto stated. "I was actually already emotional all day. At the end, when Alysa hugged me, there were also so many mixed emotions inside me."
Mixed Emotions for Kaori Sakamoto
It is clear that the weight of being the world champion for so many years had taken a toll on Sakamoto.
"On one hand, I was happy for Alysa, of course, but on the other hand, there was a little bit of frustration," Sakamoto commented. "After so many consecutive titles, now everything is back to zero, and I feel like a weight is falling off my shoulders. My coach (Sonoko Nakano) also told me maybe this is for the better."
Liu performed to "Macarthur Park" and showed no sign of stress competing before the home crowd at TD Garden. She clinically moved through her elements and did it with a smile on her face. Liu hit seven clean triples and posted level fours on all of her spins and step sequence on the way to victory.
"Personally, I can be so much better," Liu said of her performances in Boston on the NBC telecast. "That's why I call this a starter season, because this season is me picking up the pieces. I don't know how I just did this."
Bronze Medalist Chiba Battles Nerves
Chiba picked up her first world medal with a solid if not spectacular showing to "Ariana Concerto No. 1." Once again, the Sendai native had a chance for a truly defining moment, but could not achieve it.
The 19-year-old landed five clean triples, but under-rotated a triple salchow and a triple lutz. Her level fours on all of her spins and step sequence helped put her on the podium, but with the world title within grasp, one had to wonder if she wasn't disappointed with the end result.
"It wasn't 100 percent," Chia noted. "The level of the nerves was as bad as last year's free [skate]. My body was a little stiff going into the program, but coach Mie Hamada kept telling me to trust myself and trust the training, so I kept telling myself to get through the program."
Added Chiba, "I am proud of fighting throughout the program and am a little sad about triple salchow. I am really happy that I was able to contribute to securing the Olympic spots and getting on the podium."
Higuchi Happy to Participate at Worlds
Higuchi was looking to medal at the worlds for the first time since taking the silver in 2018, but under-rotated a triple toe loop and saw a triple loop downgraded in her skate to "Nature Boy" and "Running Up That Hill." She did hit five triples and recorded level fours on all of her spins and step sequence.
"I was not able to compete at worlds the last two years," Higuchi said. "So coming to a big event was one of my big goals in this season. I think I was able to give the performance I was hoping for, so I'm happy."
Added Higuchi, "Unfortunately, the score was a bit lower than I expected, so I need to check the detailed judging sheet and make improvements for the next season."
Perhaps the biggest surprises of the evening were the finishes of Glenn, who was undefeated this season, in fifth place and South Korea's Chaeyeon Kim, last year's bronze medalist, in 10th. Both had disappointing short programs, depriving them of a shot at winning.
Chock and Bates Lead in Ice Dance
Two-time world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the US took the lead in ice dance after the rhythm dance earlier Friday with 90.18. Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are in second at 86.44, while Britain's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson are third on 83.86.
The free dance will be held on Saturday afternoon, with the men's free skate to follow in the evening.
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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.
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