OSAKA, Japan (AP) — Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto dominated the short program on Friday, putting herself in prime position to defend her title at what she says will be her final NHK Trophy.

Sakamoto said in June she will retire from competition after next year’s Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics .

Skating to “Time to Say Goodbye,” Sakamoto landed a triple lutz, a double axel and a triple flip-triple toe loop combination on her way to a season-best score of 77.05, almost 10 points ahead of Sofia Samodelkina of Kazakhstan who was second with 67.75.

South Korea’s You Young was third with 67.66.

After winning three consecutive world championships through 2024, Sakamoto finished second at this year’s worlds in Boston in March.

The 25-year-old won the women’s singles bronze medal a

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