Figure Skating Favorite Admits She's Scared After Olympic Implosions

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto is the favorite to win Olympic gold, but she admits she's nervous after the chaos of the men's event.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Kaori Sakamoto, a five-time Japanese women's figure skating champion, is the favorite to win Olympic gold in her final Olympics. However, after watching the chaos and implosions of the men's figure skating event, Sakamoto admits she is now 'honestly pretty scared' heading into the women's competition.

Why it matters

Sakamoto's admission of fear and nervousness is notable given her status as the heavy favorite. The men's event saw several top contenders, including Ilia Malinin, Yuma Kagiyama, and Adam Siao Him Fa, all falter under the Olympic pressure, raising concerns about the ability of even the best skaters to handle the intense environment.

The details

Sakamoto was dominant in the team event, defeating reigning world champion Alysa Liu and reigning U.S. champion Amber Glenn. However, after watching the men's competition, Sakamoto's mindset has changed. She said, 'During the team event, watching everyone skate, I felt like there were no ghosts at this Olympics. But now I'm honestly pretty scared.'

  • Sakamoto will compete in the women's individual figure skating event on Tuesday.

The players

Kaori Sakamoto

A five-time Japanese women's figure skating champion who is the favorite to win Olympic gold in her final Olympics.

Ilia Malinin

A top contender in the men's figure skating event who faltered under the Olympic pressure.

Yuma Kagiyama

A top contender in the men's figure skating event who faltered under the Olympic pressure.

Adam Siao Him Fa

A top contender in the men's figure skating event who faltered under the Olympic pressure.

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What they’re saying

“During the team event, watching everyone skate, I felt like there were no ghosts at this Olympics. But now I'm honestly pretty scared.”

— Kaori Sakamoto (Newsweek)

What’s next

Sakamoto will compete in the women's individual figure skating event on Tuesday, where she will look to overcome her newfound nerves and secure the Olympic gold medal in her final Olympics.

The takeaway

Sakamoto's admission of fear and nervousness, despite her status as the heavy favorite, highlights the intense pressure and 'ghosts' that even the best figure skaters can face at the Olympics. Her comments underscore the unpredictability of the Olympic stage and the challenges that even the most dominant athletes can encounter when the stakes are at their highest.