Golden Legacy: Miura and Kihara Bow Out as Japan's Pioneering Pair

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, Japan's first pairs gold medallists, announce retirement post their season's end. After a historic win at Milano Cortina, the duo expressed pride in their journey. They aim to promote pair skating in Japan as they embark on new challenges.

In a pivotal moment for Japanese figure skating, Olympic champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara have declared their retirement from competitive skating at the season's conclusion. The pair made history as Japan's first pairs gold medallists at Milano Cortina, marking a new era for the sport in the nation.

Miura, 24, and Kihara, 33, announced their decision on Instagram, emphasizing the sense of fulfillment they've gained from their careers and expressing a desire to elevate the profile of pair skating in Japan. "We are proud of everything we went through and feel we gained so much along the way," they shared.

The duo's triumphant journey featured a dramatic comeback in Milan, clinching a world record with their score under the new system. Prior successes include silver medals at Beijing 2022 and Milano Cortina, underscoring their remarkable contributions as they step away from the competitive arena.