Kaori Sakamoto saves best for last in World Championships farewell

There is an old adage in show business that advises performers to always leave them wanting more. Kaori Sakamoto of Japan did that Friday at the World Championships in Prague. Alas, there will be no more of Sakamoto in competition.

At 25, she is leaving that side of figure skating with a fourth world title and an indelible legacy of greatness. “If you want me to talk about her achievements, you wouldn’t be able to stop me from going on forever,” said her teammate, Mone Chiba, who finished second. FIGURE SKATING WORLDS: Full Results | Broadcast Schedule Kaori Sakamoto wins 4th figure skating world title in last competition before retiring Kaori Sakamoto became the first women’s singles skater since Michelle Kwan to win four or more world titles.

Nick Zaccardi , She saved the best — at least by scoring standards — for last, winning with a personal best in the free skate and the highest component scores ever in both the free and short programs. A month after sobbing in disappointment when the omission of one planned jump cost her the Olympic gold medal that went to Alysa Liu of the United States, the emotive Sakamoto once again had tears rolling down her cheeks. This time, she was both overjoyed and overwhelmed, bouncing off a bench and then jumping up and down several times after her free skate score was announced.

Chiba, sitting in the leader’s chair when Sakamoto skated, also was moved to tears by her countrywoman’s brilliance. “We were all crying,” said Belgium’s Nina Pinzarrone, the surprise bronze medalist. “It was so special to see it one more time, and she did so well.