Kaori Sakamoto JAPAN Source: japan-forward.com
The NHK Trophy 2025 women’s singles event, held on Saturday, November 8th, in Osaka, Japan, delivered a spectacular performance. It is setting the stage for the highly anticipated Grand Prix Final.
NHK Trophy 2025 Women’s Singles Results (Saturday, November 8)
In a masterful display of skill and artistry, Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto secured the gold medal in her final career appearance at the NHK Trophy. The three-time World Champion delivered a clean free skate, posting a world lead score for the 2025-2026 season and defending her title.
Sofia Samodelkina
Gold | Kaori Sakamoto | Japan | 227.18
Silver | Sofia Samodelkina | Kazakhstan | 200.00
Bronze | Loena Hendrickx | Belgium | 198.97
Sakamoto’s dominant victory also secured her a coveted spot in the upcoming Grand Prix Final.
What is Next in Women’s Ice Skating?
The season is heating up! Following the conclusion of the NHK Trophy, the next major events on the women’s figure skating calendar are:
* Next Grand Prix Event: The final event of the six-stop Grand Prix series is the 2025 Skate America, scheduled for November 14-16, 2025, in Lake Placid, New York, USA.
* The Grand Finale: The ultimate prize of the Grand Prix series is the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, which will bring together the top six qualifiers from the entire series. This event is set for December 5-8, 2025, in Nagoya, Japan. Kaori Sakamoto has already qualified, along with other top competitors from the series.
Who is the Best Women’s Ice Skater?
Determining the “best” figure skater is always a lively debate, as it depends on whether you value current rankings, recent championships, or overall season performance.
Based on major international results from the 2024-2025 season and the start of the current 2025-2026 season:
Alysa Liu at the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships. (Photo Courtesy of The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP)
* Current World Champion (2025): Alysa Liu of the United States holds the prestigious title of the reigning World Champion, having won the gold medal at the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships.
* Most Consistent and Highest-Ranked: Kaori Sakamoto of Japan is undoubtedly a top contender. Her NHK Trophy win with a world lead score and her status as the 2025 World Silver Medalist and a three-time former World Champion solidifies her position at the very top of the sport. She is currently ranked #1 in the ISU World Standings for the 2025/2026 season.
The field is incredibly strong, with other elite skaters like Alysa Liu (USA), Mone Chiba (JPN), and Isabeau Levito (USA) all pushing the boundaries of the sport this season.
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Viorica Bruni Editor Athletica Sports Web Publication
