Figure Skater Kaori Sakamoto Releases Handwritten Message of Gratitude Ahead of Retirement Press Conference
Figure skater Kaori Sakamoto has released a handwritten message of gratitude to her supporters ahead of her retirement press conference. Sysmex Corporation, her sponsor, reflects on her 9-year journey and praises her achievements and character.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 11:31
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Sysmex Corporation (Headquarters: Kobe City, Representative Director and President: Iwane Matsui) announced today, May 8, 2026 (Friday), that figure skater Kaori Sakamoto, who is affiliated with Sysmex, has released a handwritten message on her official social media channels. This message is addressed to all those who have supported her journey, ahead of her retirement press conference.
■ From Kaori Sakamoto to Everyone
■ Full Text of Kaori Sakamoto's Handwritten Letter
To everyone who has always supported me,
I sincerely thank you for your warm support throughout my career.
Your encouragement has been a great source of strength, supporting my competitive life.
I am grateful that you have always been by my side, both in times of joy and frustration.
Thank you very much.
At this milestone, I will once again have the opportunity to greet you.
At the retirement press conference, I plan to look back on my memories with you and talk about my future.
And from Kobe, I want to convey my gratitude for 21 years and 4 months.
Kaori Sakamoto
■ To Everyone Who Supported Her Together
■ Sysmex and Kaori Sakamoto's Journey
Sysmex Corporation has been a partner in Kaori Sakamoto's "challenge to the world" for nine years, ever since signing a sponsorship agreement with her in 2017, when she made her senior debut.
Her continuous challenges on the demanding world stage, her ability to confront herself while bearing immeasurable pressure, and her unwavering pursuit of her limits. And her bright, sun-like personality, always warm and straightforward, embracing those around her. We are convinced that it was these two aspects that allowed Sakamoto to lead the figure skating world and continue to move the hearts of many people. Being able to watch her journey on the ice up close has been an irreplaceable treasure for our company.
As an athlete who single-mindedly stood on the ice aiming for the world's top, and as a member of Sysmex, we express our heartfelt respect and gratitude for the path she has shown us.
And to all of you who have supported Kaori Sakamoto's 21-year and 4-month skating career and continued to send warm cheers, we extend our sincere thanks.
■ Athlete Profile
Kaori Sakamoto
Figure Skater / Affiliated with Sysmex
Born April 9, 2000 (26 years old)
From Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Since starting skating at age 4, she has continued to challenge herself with powerful skating and rich expressiveness. She achieved the historic feat of becoming the first Japanese woman to win the World Championships Ladies' Singles a total of four times. She participated in three consecutive Olympic Games from 2018, winning an individual bronze medal and a team silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Furthermore, she won an individual silver medal and a team silver medal at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. In 2017, she signed a sponsorship agreement with Sysmex, headquartered in her hometown of Kobe City, and has continued activities with the company and the region.
Kaori Sakamoto Special Movie
▶https://youtu.be/VWIpzro4S8Y
■ Sysmex Figure Skating Team Official Instagram
The Sysmex Figure Skating Team's Instagram publishes photos and messages from the athletes themselves.
Official Instagram
@sysmex_figureskatingteam
■ About Sysmex
Sysmex, under its Group Corporate Philosophy "Sysmex Way," has set its mission as "Designing the evolution of healthcare." Since its establishment in 1968, the company has developed its business primarily in the clinical laboratory testing field, which involves collecting and examining blood, urine, and other samples. Currently, it supports people's health in over 190 countries and regions. Under its long-term vision "Together for a better healthcare journey," Sysmex is creating further innovations in the clinical laboratory testing domain and challenging new areas to make each individual's lifelong healthcare journey a better one. Sysmex provides new value through its unique technologies and solutions, as well as collaborations with various partners, to support people's universal desire for health and longevity. For more details about Sysmex, please visit the official Sysmex website (www.sysmex.co.jp).
*"Healthcare Journey" is a registered trademark of Sysmex Corporation.
■ From Kaori Sakamoto to Everyone
■ Full Text of Kaori Sakamoto's Handwritten Letter
To everyone who has always supported me,
I sincerely thank you for your warm support throughout my career.
Your encouragement has been a great source of strength, supporting my competitive life.
I am grateful that you have always been by my side, both in times of joy and frustration.
Thank you very much.
At this milestone, I will once again have the opportunity to greet you.
At the retirement press conference, I plan to look back on my memories with you and talk about my future.
And from Kobe, I want to convey my gratitude for 21 years and 4 months.
Kaori Sakamoto
■ To Everyone Who Supported Her Together
■ Sysmex and Kaori Sakamoto's Journey
Sysmex Corporation has been a partner in Kaori Sakamoto's "challenge to the world" for nine years, ever since signing a sponsorship agreement with her in 2017, when she made her senior debut.
Her continuous challenges on the demanding world stage, her ability to confront herself while bearing immeasurable pressure, and her unwavering pursuit of her limits. And her bright, sun-like personality, always warm and straightforward, embracing those around her. We are convinced that it was these two aspects that allowed Sakamoto to lead the figure skating world and continue to move the hearts of many people. Being able to watch her journey on the ice up close has been an irreplaceable treasure for our company.
As an athlete who single-mindedly stood on the ice aiming for the world's top, and as a member of Sysmex, we express our heartfelt respect and gratitude for the path she has shown us.
And to all of you who have supported Kaori Sakamoto's 21-year and 4-month skating career and continued to send warm cheers, we extend our sincere thanks.
■ Athlete Profile
Kaori Sakamoto
Figure Skater / Affiliated with Sysmex
Born April 9, 2000 (26 years old)
From Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Since starting skating at age 4, she has continued to challenge herself with powerful skating and rich expressiveness. She achieved the historic feat of becoming the first Japanese woman to win the World Championships Ladies' Singles a total of four times. She participated in three consecutive Olympic Games from 2018, winning an individual bronze medal and a team silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Furthermore, she won an individual silver medal and a team silver medal at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. In 2017, she signed a sponsorship agreement with Sysmex, headquartered in her hometown of Kobe City, and has continued activities with the company and the region.
Kaori Sakamoto Special Movie
▶https://youtu.be/VWIpzro4S8Y
■ Sysmex Figure Skating Team Official Instagram
The Sysmex Figure Skating Team's Instagram publishes photos and messages from the athletes themselves.
Official Instagram
@sysmex_figureskatingteam
■ About Sysmex
Sysmex, under its Group Corporate Philosophy "Sysmex Way," has set its mission as "Designing the evolution of healthcare." Since its establishment in 1968, the company has developed its business primarily in the clinical laboratory testing field, which involves collecting and examining blood, urine, and other samples. Currently, it supports people's health in over 190 countries and regions. Under its long-term vision "Together for a better healthcare journey," Sysmex is creating further innovations in the clinical laboratory testing domain and challenging new areas to make each individual's lifelong healthcare journey a better one. Sysmex provides new value through its unique technologies and solutions, as well as collaborations with various partners, to support people's universal desire for health and longevity. For more details about Sysmex, please visit the official Sysmex website (www.sysmex.co.jp).
*"Healthcare Journey" is a registered trademark of Sysmex Corporation.