Japan's Kaori Sakamoto clinched her fourth World Figure Skating Championships title in her final competition, declaring she could "say goodbye with this performance." The 25-year-old delivered a flawless free skate to secure gold, cementing her legacy as one of the sport's most dominant competitors. Her victory concludes a historic career marked by consistency and artistry, with Sakamoto now holding more World titles than any active female skater.

Mone Chiba, who finished fourth at the Beijing Olympics, claimed silver with a score of 228.47, while Belgium's Nina Pinzarrone earned bronze at 215.20. The ice dance podium featured Olympic champions Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron leading with 92.74 points, trailed by Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirie (Olympic bronze medallists) at 86.45. Britain's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson rounded out the top three in rhythm dance with 85.09.

The free dance, set to determine final medals, will air live on BBC iPlayer Saturday at 17:30 GMT. Sakamoto's win highlights Japan's dominance in ladies' singles, while the ice dance battle underscores Europe's competitive edge. With Sakamoto retiring post-title, attention shifts to emerging stars like 17-year-old U.S. skater Amber Glenn, who dropped from third to sixth during her free skate.

This championship marks a pivotal moment for the sport, blending legacy achievements with generational transitions. Sakamoto's graceful exit and the ice dance trio's Olympic pedigree promise a thrilling finale, drawing global audiences to witness history in the making.