Kaori Sakamoto is the first woman since American Peggy Flemming in 1966, 1967 and 1968 to win three straight world golds. She earned 149.67 points for the free skate for a total of 222.96. Kim Chae-yeon took bronze with 212.16 points. Earlier, Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States launched their ice dance title defense.