ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2026: Sakamoto Leads After Short Program
Prague, Czech Republic – Kaori Sakamoto of Japan took the lead in the women’s short program at the 2026 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, setting the stage for a potential fourth world title in her final competitive appearance. The event is taking place at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czechia.
Women’s Singles – Short Program Results (Top 10)
- Sakamoto Kaori (JPN) – 79.31
- Chiba Mone (JPN) – 78.45
- Amber Glenn (USA) – 72.65
- Isabeau Levito (USA) – 72.16
- Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) – 71.82
- Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) – 69.92
- Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA) – 69.33
- Nakai Ami (JPN) – 69.10
- Sarah Everhardt (USA) – 68.74
- Lee Haein (KOR) – 68.50
Sakamoto’s Pursuit of History
Sakamoto, the Olympic silver medalist from the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, delivered a strong performance, earning a world-record program component score. NBC Sports reports that her score of 79.31 is the highest in the current Olympic cycle. She is aiming to become the first woman to win four world singles titles since Michelle Kwan’s five consecutive victories between 1996 and 2003.
Despite winning three consecutive world titles from 2022-2024, Sakamoto was edged out by American Alysa Liu at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. She expressed her desire to finish her career with no regrets.
Glenn and Levito Shine for the United States
American skaters Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito also delivered impressive performances. Glenn, the U.S. Champion, executed a clean short program, successfully landing a triple loop – a jump that previously challenged her at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Yahoo Sports reports that she currently sits in third place with a score of 72.65.
Levito also achieved a season-best score of 72.16, showcasing improved difficulty and her signature elegance. She is currently in fourth place.
Pairs Short Program Results (Top 10)
- Minerva Fabienne Hase/Nikita Volodin (GER) – 79.78
- Anastasiia Metelkina/Luka Berulava (GEO) – 79.45
- Lia Pereira/Trennt Michaud (CAN) – 75.52
- Maria Pavlova/Alexei Sviatchenko (HUN) – 69.92
- Nagaoka Yuna/Moriguchi Sumitada (JPN) – 69.55
- Emily Chan/Spencer Akira Howe (USA) – 69.02
- Alisa Efimova/Misha Mitrofanov (USA) – 67.29
- Karina Akopova/Nikita Rakhmanin (ARM) – 67.12
- Anastasia Vaipan-Law/Luke Digby (GBR) – 66.34
- Annika Hocke / Robert Kunkel (GER) – 65.35
Upcoming Events
The championships continue on Thursday, March 26th, with the men’s singles short program and the pairs free skating. The women’s singles free skating is scheduled for Friday, March 27th, where Sakamoto will attempt to secure her fourth world title. Olympics.com
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