United States figure skater Amber Glenn is looking to carry over her momentum from the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. The 26-year-old won a gold medal with Team USA in the team competition in her Winter Games debut. Glenn is now hoping to win the individual competition in the World Figure Skating Championships.
Glenn is currently in Prague for this year’s Worlds. The competition comes just a month after the Winter Olympics ended. Glenn, who is now at the tail end of her decorated figure skating career, has never won the World Championships. She is looking to change her fate this year.
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One of Glenn’s competitors in the Worlds is Kaori Sakamoto of Japan. Sakamoto won the silver medal in the women’s free skate at the Olympics behind Glenn’s teammate, Alysa Liu.
Sakamoto and Glenn shared the stage in a press conference at the Worlds on Wednesday. When asked about Glenn, the Japanese star had nothing but good things to say about Glenn’s behavior during competition and just how she carries herself in general.
"The things that Amber has done for the sport, really, is not just about the Olympics," Sakamoto said, via a translator. "It was every competition she shows us support, she shows me support, and she encourages me, she praises me.
"Having someone around me in competition and creating that atmosphere is really, really something that makes me feel stronger and more assured.”
Glenn was deeply touched by Sakamoto’s message. In fact, the U.S. ice skater struggled to fight back her tears as she listened to the praise.
Sakamoto was emotional after losing the gold medal in the Olympics. As she was crying, Glenn came to comfort her. Glenn had finished fifth at that point, but she went out of her way to check on her opponent.
For her actions, Glenn was nominated for the Fair Play Award in recognition of her sportsmanship.
"Usually, in our sport, when we are rivals, we tend to not get too close before the competition," Sakamoto continued. "But I think Amber broke that stereotype.
"She's the kind of person who thinks, 'what can I do?' when she sees somebody in trouble or in pain. And she is able to put that immediately into action.”
Sakamoto concluded by expressing how she is not alone in her admiration for Glenn. Truly, the Plano, Texas native has lifted the sport on and off the ice.
"I speak for all the Japanese skaters,” Sakamoto said. “I think that we're very grateful she does it because she wants to. ... I really, really admire Amber as a person."
