Multiple Olympic medallist Kaori Sakamoto of Japan celebrated a golden farewell with her fourth World title at the ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026 in Prague, Czechia on Friday. More than 14,000 spectators at the O2 Arena witnessed a spectacular Women’s event full of memorable performances - Figure Skating at its best.

Sakamoto ends career with no regrets

What a way to cap off an amazing career: Kaori Sakamoto of Japan added a fourth World title to her impressive resume and did so with a new personal best score. Teammate Mone Chiba claimed the silver medal after her bronze a year ago while Belgium’s Nina Pinzarrone rose from fifth to earn her first ISU World medal.

For Sakamoto, it ended where it all began, in Czechia. Thirteen years ago the Japanese skater started her international career at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Ostrava, coming sixth. Now, she ended her career in Prague, in front of thousands of people at the arena and millions on the screens.

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) celebrates the final performance of a decorated career on the ice © ISU

Sakamoto put out a spectacular performance to Edith Piaf songs, nailing seven triple jumps and difficult spins. The last piece of music was “Non, je ne regrette rien” (No, I don’t have any regrets) and indeed, Sakamoto had no regrets and left it all out on the ice. Only tears of happiness were flowing.

“Today I actually didn’t care about the results,” the 2026 Olympic silver medalist said.

“Of course I wanted to skate with no regrets and to do my best but there so many people supporting me and watching and I wanted to do my best for them.

“There are no regrets at all, I can say goodbye with this performance.”

Sakamoto reacts to confirmation of her fourth ISU World Championships gold with joy © ISU

Sakamoto achieved a personal best in the Free Skating with 158.97 points and for the total score as well with 238.28 points.

Sweet sorrow for silver Chiba

Chiba gave an exquisite performance to “Romeo and Juliet” that featured seven triple jumps and beautiful spins to set a new personal best of 150.02 points in the Free Skating. She totaled 228.47 points, another personal best.

Mone Chiba (JPN) posted a personal best to take silver © ISU

“The past months after the Olympics the training was tough but I’m happy with the result I was able to use the frustration and disappointment of the Olympics as a fuel,” Chiba noted.

Like Sakamoto, Chiba had tears in her eyes as well.

“The first tears were tears of joy I was reminiscing of my performance and the month since [the Olympics]. After Kaori’s performance I thought this is the last time I see her competing in an event and those were the tears.”

Chiba and Sakamoto share tears of joy as Japan's skaters make it a podium 1-2 © ISU

Pinzarrone’s dream comes true

Skating to “Un Rêve”, Pinzarrone made her dream come true first with a perfect performance and then by winning her first World medal. The two-time ISU European bronze medalist landed seven triples to post a personal best of 143.38 points and 215.20 points overall.

Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) landed seven triple jumps to take bronze, her first World Championships medal © ISU

“I really can’t believe it,” the Belgian said. “I’ve never would have thought to medal, I was here just to finish my season on a high note. I would just be happy if I could place in top five.

“The first jump was not the best, but I just put it out of my head and fought for all of the other jumps, spins and other elements.

“I think I can do better, but I was really stressed and I did all I could today.”

Chiba, Sakamoto and Pinzarrone show off their World Championship medals © ISU

2024 ISU World silver medalist Isabeau Levito (USA) remained in fourth place on 206.99 points with a beautiful program to “Cinema Paradiso”, followed by reigning ISU European bronze medalist Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA) on 205.12 points.

Amber Glenn (USA) landed a big triple Axel but popped her loop to slip from third to sixth (203.12 points). Olympic bronze medalist Ami Nakai (JPN) missed her triple Axel and finished in ninth place (200.00 points). 

Find more comments from the skaters in the Quick Quotes and Press Conference section on the ISU Website.

What and when

The schedule of the ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026 is as follows:

Wednesday, March 25:      Women’s & Pairs Short Programs
Thursday, March 26:          Men’s Short Program & Pairs Free Skating
Friday, March, 27:  Rhythm Dance & Women’s Free Skating 
Saturday, March 28:     Men’s Free Skating & Free Dance
Sunday, March 29:            Exhibition Gala & ISU Figure Skating Awards

A total of 173 Skaters representing 39 countries have been entered for the Championships: 39 Men, 33 Women, 21 Pairs and 31 Ice Dance couples. Prague hosts the ISU World Championships for the third  time after 1993 and 1962.

For more information, full entry lists and results, visit the ISU event page of the ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026 and the official event website.  Follow the discussion on social media using #WorldFigure and #FigureSkating. 

Where to watch the ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026

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