2026 World Figure Skating Championships Final Live Updates: Amber Glenn Falls Off Podium After Free Skate The 2026 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, Czechia, concluded its women’s free skate competition on Friday, with Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto leading the standings after the short program. Sakamoto, a three-time world champion, scored 79.31 in the short program, securing the top position. Japan’s Mone Chiba followed in second place with a score of 78.45, while Team USA’s Amber Glenn placed third with a 72.65. The event marked the return of top skaters to the ice just a month after the Winter Olympics, with the final stages of the competition drawing global attention. Live updates from Sports Illustrated detailed the progression of the women’s free skate, highlighting the intense competition among the world’s elite skaters. The free skate segment, which determines the final rankings, saw athletes push their technical and artistic skills to the limit. The live blog provided real-time commentary on performances, scoring, and the shifting dynamics of the competition as skaters vied for the championship title. Amber Glenn, representing the United States, entered the free skate as the third-place finisher after the short program. Her performance in the free skate was critical to her overall standing, as the final scores would determine the champion. The competition also featured other top contenders, including Sakamoto and Chiba, who had already demonstrated their strength in the short program. The final results would depend on the execution of complex elements, artistic expression, and the judges’ interpretations of each performance.#czechia #kaori_sakamoto #mone_chiba #prague #2026_world_figure_skating_championships
Kaori Sakamoto leads after short program at figure skating worlds PRAGUE — Kaori Sakamoto is aiming to end her competitive career with a world figure skating title, securing her place at the top of the standings after the short program at the World Championships. The Japanese skater, known for her emotional performances, delivered a powerful interpretation of "Time to Say Goodbye," earning a season-best score of 79.31. This placed her in first place, just shy of a full point ahead of her compatriot Mone Chiba, who scored 78.45 in her disco-themed routine. Sakamoto’s achievement carries extra significance as this marks her final world championships. The event is held in the Czech Republic, where she began her Junior Grand Prix career 13 years ago. Reflecting on the milestone, she expressed pride in the full-circle moment, calling it a "good feeling to have." The competition remains highly competitive, with a strong U.S. challenge for medals ahead of the free skate. Amber Glenn, the reigning Olympic team gold medalist, sits in third place with 72.65, while Isabeau Levito follows closely at fourth with 72.16. Levito’s performance marks a return to form after finishing 12th at the Olympics. Ami Nakai, who led the Olympic short program with a triple axel, struggled in the current event. The 17-year-old Japanese skater managed only an awkward double jump as her opening move, leaving her in eighth place and facing a difficult recovery. In the pairs competition, Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin hold a narrow lead over Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia. The German duo, who previously won European and Olympic titles, edged their rivals with a score of 79.78 to 79.45. Canadians Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud are third with 75.52, setting the stage for Thursday’s free skate.#world_championships #kaori_sakamoto #mone_chiba #prague #amber_glenn
