Sakamoto fights fatigue, Japanese rivals and US skaters for Olympic women's gold

Emmeline MOORE Mon, 16 February 2026 at 12:16 pm UTC·4 min read Kaori Sakamoto will be looking to avoid another Olympics upset as the Japanese figure skating star takes to the ice in the wide-open women's singles starting Tuesday. The Milano Ice Skating Arena has been the scene of momentous slip-ups for skaters in other contests after they competed in the team event earlier in the Milan-Cortina Games.Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ilia Malinin helped the United States defend their team gold ahead of Japan with Italy third, but then the hot favourite suffered a meltdown in the men's individual event, slumping to eighth. Three-time world champion ice dancers Madison Chock...