Women’s Singles: Sakamoto Sets the Pace

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan topped the women’s short program at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, Czechia, positioning herself to potentially win a fourth world title in what she has announced will be her final competitive season.

Sakamoto scored 79.31 points, the highest score in the current Olympic cycle. She executed a triple Lutz, double Axel, and a triple flip-triple toe loop combination in her program set to “Time to Say Goodbye.”

Countrywoman Mone Chiba is close behind in second place with 78.45 points. Americans Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito currently hold third and fourth place, respectively, with scores of 72.65 and 72.16.

Pairs Competition Kicks Off

In the pairs competition, Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin of Germany lead after the short program with a score of 79.78. Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia are in second place (79.45), followed by Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud of Canada (75.52).

1. Sakamoto Kaori (JPN) – 79.31
2. Chiba Mone (JPN) – 78.45
3. Amber Glenn (USA) – 72.65
4. Isabeau Levito (USA) – 72.16
5. Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) – 71.82
6. Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) – 69.92
7. Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA) – 69.33
8. Nakai Ami (JPN) – 69.10
9. Sarah Everhardt (USA) – 68.74
10. Lee Haein (KOR) – 68.50

1. Minerva Fabienne Hase/Nikita Volodin (GER) – 79.78
2. Anastasiia Metelkina/Luka Berulava (GEO) – 79.45
3. Lia Pereira/Trennt Michaud (CAN) – 75.52
4. Maria Pavlova/Alexei Sviatchenko (HUN) – 69.92
5. Nagaoka Yuna/Moriguchi Sumitada (JPN) – 69.55
6. Emily Chan/Spencer Akira Howe (USA) – 69.02
7. Alisa Efimova/Misha Mitrofanov (USA) – 67.29
8. Karina Akopova/Nikita Rakhmanin (ARM) – 67.12
9. Anastasia Vaipan-Law/Luke Digby (GBR) – 66.34
10. Annika Hocke / Robert Kunkel (GER) – 65.35

Championship Schedule

• Thursday, March 26: Men singles, short program; Pairs, free skating
• Friday, March 27: Ice dance, rhythm dance; Women singles, free skating
• Saturday, March 28: Men singles, free skating; Ice dance, free dance

Sakamoto’s Pursuit of History

Sakamoto aims to become the first woman to win four world singles titles since Michelle Kwan’s impressive run of five consecutive titles between 1996 and 2003. She previously won three consecutive world titles from 2022-2024, before being edged out by Alysa Liu in 2025.

“I had a lot of expectation on myself at the Milan Olympics, and a lot of people around me had a lot of expectations,” Sakamoto said through a translator. “So not being able to meet those expectations was very, very sad for me. … This time, I’m really focusing on being able to leave it all out there and finish these world championships with absolutely no regrets.”

Amber Glenn is likewise looking for a strong finish, hoping to secure her first world championships medal.

FAQ

Q: What is Kaori Sakamoto aiming for at the World Championships?

A: Kaori Sakamoto is aiming to win her fourth world title in her final competitive season.

Q: Who is currently in second place in the women’s short program?

A: Mone Chiba of Japan is currently in second place.

Q: Where are the World Figure Skating Championships being held?

A: The championships are being held in Prague, Czechia.