Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto captured the title at the 2023 World Figure Skating Championships held in Saitama. Her program details show that she secured a total score of 224.61 points, reflecting a strong free skating performance that earned 145.37 points after a solid short program score of 79.24. This combination solidified her as the world champion on home ice in Japan, marking a significant achievement in her skating career.
The podium was completed by Korea’s Hae In Lee, who accumulated 220.94 points across the two programs. Lee delivered a well-balanced performance across both segments, showing consistency and precision that earned him the silver medal in this highly competitive event.
Belgians also stood out as Luna Hendrix earned bronze with a total of 210.42 points over the two competitive days. Hendrix demonstrated strong artistry combined with technical execution, securing a place among the top contenders at the world championships.
Rounding out the top ten were skaters from diverse nations, including Isabeau Levito of the United States, Mai Mihara of Japan, Kim Chae-yong of South Korea, Nicole Schott of Germany, Kimmy Repond of Switzerland, Nina Petrykina of Estonia, and Rinka Watanabe of Japan. Their performances reflected depth in the field and the spread of talent across regions traditionally dominant in figure skating.
In related reflections from the event, former Honored Coach of the USSR Tatyana Tarasova shared insights following discussions with a SocialBites correspondent about the short program in the men’s division at the Saitama championships. The conversation highlighted elements of technique, artistry, and the evolving competitive landscape that continue to shape world championship outcomes. At Saitama, athletes faced a demanding program lineup and the pressure of competing on a global stage, with coaches and pundits weighing strategies for both short and long programs. Tarasova’s perspective added context to the performances and underscored the heightened expectations that accompany world championship settings.