Kaori Sakamoto Sets the Tone in Milan
The start has been made in Milan. During the first day of figure skating for national teams at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Japan's Kaori Sakamoto immediately showed why she belongs to the absolute world top. With a score of 78.88 points in her short program, she put the competition on edge and single-handedly lifted the Japanese team from sixth to second place in the intermediate standings. When I look at her, I see not just an athlete, but a dancer who defies the laws of gravity with a suppleness we in the salsa world can only dream of.
It is a special moment for the figure skating world. Sakamoto has announced that these are her last Olympic Games, and that knowledge gives her performance an extra emotional charge. In an interview with Olympics.com, she indicated that she felt primarily relieved after her program. No clenched fists, but pure release. I recognize that so well from my 30 years of experience in the dance world: that enormous pressure that falls off your shoulders as soon as the music stops and you know you have delivered what you wanted to show.
The Battle Between Japan and the United States
At this moment, only two points separate the United States and Japan. The Americans are in the lead, partly thanks to a strong performance by Alysa Liu. Liu, who made her comeback after a previous retirement period, scored 74.90 points. Although she made a small mistake on the landing of her triple Lutz-triple loop combination, passion radiated from the ice. It is interesting to see how these two different styles stand opposite each other: the powerful, fluid movements of Sakamoto versus the expressive and technical precision of Liu.
Host country Italy also made its mark. Lara Naki Gutmann skated brilliantly on home ice and achieved a personal best with 71.62 points. The crowd in Milan went completely wild, and that is exactly the energy that makes the sport so beautiful. It reminds me of the big dance congresses where the atmosphere in the hall lifts the dancers to a higher level.
Technical Analysis: The Power of the Flow
When we look at Sakamoto technically, one thing stands out immediately: her 'flow' across the ice. In the dance world, we often talk about weight transfer and the use of the floor. Sakamoto does this on the ice in a way that is almost hypnotic. Despite a small imperfection in her takeoff for the triple Lutz – the jury noted a 'wrong edge' – her spins and footwork were of the highest level (Level 4).
What distinguishes Sakamoto from many other skaters is the speed with which she enters and exits her jumps. There is not a moment of hesitation. This is something every dancer can learn from. Whether you are doing a triple Axel on ice or performing a complex spin sequence on the dance floor, the preparation must be invisible. It's about the continuity of the movement. With Sakamoto, you see no preparation; you only see the result of years of hard training.
What We as Dancers Can Learn from Kaori Sakamoto
Watching figure skating at this level is always a source of inspiration for me. There are a few specific things Sakamoto does that we in the dance studio can really benefit from:
- Mental focus: Sakamoto indicated she was nervous, but not so much that her legs were shaking. She knew how to turn her nerves into focus. That is the key for every performance: using the adrenaline instead of being paralyzed by it.
- Core stability: The strength needed to glide flawlessly after a jump comes entirely from the core of the body. In salsa, we use that same strength for our balance during fast turns.
- Artistic expression under pressure: Despite the enormous technical demands of her program, she continues to maintain contact with the music. She doesn't just 'skate' her elements; she tells a story.
The Road to the Final
With Japan in second place and the United States in first, the rest of the team event promises to be thrilling. Georgia and Canada also still have a chance to reach the final. For Sakamoto, the goal is clear: she wants to lead Japan to gold before she finally hangs up her skates. In Milan, she has taken the time to get used to the ice and feels more comfortable by the day.
The beauty of this sport is that the team aspect adds an extra dimension. Figure skating is often a lonely sport, but in this format, they fight for each other. You see the teammates standing on the sidelines, cheering and empathizing. That sense of group belonging is something we in the dance world naturally know very well from show teams and formations.
I will continue to follow the events in Milan closely. The combination of top-level sport and artistry continues to fascinate me, and Kaori Sakamoto is currently the embodiment of that combination. Whether she goes home with gold or not, her legacy in the sport is already indelible. Her ability to combine strength with an almost fragile elegance is something I will often use as an example in my own lessons.
The coming days will show whether the United States can maintain their lead or whether Sakamoto's Japan will seize power. One thing is certain: the level is unprecedentedly high this year, and we are going to see many more beautiful things on the ice of Milan.