Miura and Kihara Capture Japan’s First Pairs Figure Skating Gold

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara have achieved a historic milestone for Japan by securing their country’s first gold medal in the pairs figure skating event at the Olympic Games. This momentous victory took place during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Historic Victory for Japanese Skaters

Initially, Miura and Kihara faced challenges during their short program, placing fifth due to an uncharacteristic mistake. However, they rebounded spectacularly in the free skate, not only claiming gold but also setting a world record with their remarkable performance. Their final score was an impressive 231.24 points, which included 158.13 points for the free skate alone.

Emotional Moments on the Ice

After their triumphant performance, both skaters were overcome with emotion. Miura and Kihara embraced on the ice, reflecting the joy of their accomplishment. Their coach, Bruno Marcotte, had encouraged them to focus on being their best selves despite previous setbacks.

Medals and Rankings

• Gold Medal: Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara (Japan) – 231.24 points
• Silver Medal: Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava (Georgia) – First Winter Games medal for Georgia
• Bronze Medal: Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin (Germany)

Metelkina and Berulava expressed their disbelief and pride in their achievements, reflecting the historical significance of their silver medal for Georgia.

Other Notable Performances

Several other pairs participated in the competition, including Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe, who became the first to surpass the 200-point mark. However, they were quickly overtaken by Italian skaters Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii, despite a rough free skate performance.

Defending Olympic champions Sui Wenjing and Han Cong struggled earlier in the event, but they showcased resilience, finishing fifth after a two-year retirement. Their performance exemplified the unpredictability and excitement of competitive figure skating.

The Road Ahead

Miura and Kihara’s extraordinary showing, coupled with their earlier team silver, positions them as one of the standout pairs of these Games. Their journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and marks a landmark achievement for Japan in Olympic figure skating.