Three-time world figure skating champion Kaori Sakamoto delivered a masterclass to win women¡¯s singles gold at the NHK Trophy on Saturday with the world¡¯s best score this season.

Sakamoto, who said in June that she would retire after the Milano-Cortina Olympics, landed seven triple jumps to score 150.13 points for her emotional free program to music by Edith Piaf to send the home crowd into raptures.

The 25-year-old¡¯s 227.18 point total firmly established her as a top contender for the Olympics.