Sakamoto figure skating scores 148.62 to tie Japan with USA at Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto delivered an electric performance that momentarily tied Japan with the USA at the Olympics. The three-time world champion scored 148.62 points in the women’s free skate on February 8, the highest in her segment. Japan’s dream of capturing their first team gold medal faces one final test.

Sakamoto’s Triumphant Free Skate Electrifies Milan

Kaori Sakamoto commanded the ice with a stunning performance to her Edith Piaf medley on Sunday evening. She landed 10 jumps including six triples, earning top marks for her step sequence and spins. When her 148.62 score flashed across the scoreboard, Sakamoto clutched her hand to her mouth in joy and surprise, knowing she had delivered the performance her team needed.

The Japanese three-time world champion topped the women’s free skate segment ahead of Georgia’s Anastasiia Gubanova (140.17) and USA’s Amber Glenn (138.62). Her victory was more than just a personal triumph, it was a team achievement that accomplished what few thought possible entering Sunday’s competition.

Japan’s 12-Year Gold Medal Dream on the Line

For more than a decade, Japan has chased Olympic team gold in figure skating. Since the event debuted at Sochi 2014, the nation has never captured the top prize. Four members of Japan’s Milano Cortina roster, including Sakamoto, Yuma Kagiyama, Riku Miura, and Ryuichi Kihara, earned silver medals at Beijing 2022. These athletes made a powerful vow after that loss.

Now, with Japan and USA tied at 59 points, that vow comes down to the final men’s free skate segment. Sakamoto earned maximum team points in both the short and free programs, fulfilling her personal commitment while bringing her country to the brink of history.

Team Performance Breakdown and Medal Race

What Sakamoto’s Emotional Victory Reveals About Team Commitment

Sakamoto wept after learning she had won the segment, but her emotional reaction went beyond personal achievement. She expressed pride in her teammates who also delivered maximum points: Yuma Kagiyama, Riku Miura, and Ryuichi Kihara. All four silver medalists from Beijing had vowed to return as gold medalists.

“Riku, Ryu, Yuma and I talked a lot about the team event since Beijing and we are in this position now tied for first. And the four of us who vowed to win gold all won 10 points so I was so proud of us that I cried.”

— Kaori Sakamoto, Three-Time World Champion

Can USA or Japan Seal Gold in the Men’s Final Showdown?

Everything rests on the men’s free skate. USA brings Ilia Malinin, the American phenom who has proven himself capable of dominant performances under pressure. Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama already demonstrated his strength by winning the men’s short program segment earlier in the competition.

With both nations tied heading into the final segment, the stage is set for one of the most thrilling conclusions in Olympic figure skating history. One nation will finally claim or defend their gold medal, while the other faces heartbreak. For Japan, especially for Sakamoto in what she has announced will be her final Olympic appearance, the stakes could not be higher.

Sources

• Olympics.com – Official coverage of Milano Cortina 2026 figure skating team event with athlete interviews
• The Athletic/New York Times – Live coverage and real-time updates from the women’s free skate competition
• NBC Olympics – Comprehensive reporting on team standings and medal implications

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.