Riku Miura & Ryuichi Kihara: The Best Japanese Skating Pair Nobody Expected

Before 2019, Japan’s pairs skating history was defined by last-place finishes and early withdrawals. At their lowest point, a partnerless seventeen-year-old Riku Miura and a concussed twenty-six-year-old Ryuichi Kihara were both on the verge of retiring from the sport for good. However, a chance tryout in Nagoya orchestrated by Canadian coach Bruno Marcotte completely altered their trajectories. Despite pandemic lockdowns, severe spine injuries, and a heartbreaking eighth-place short program drop at the 2022 Olympics, their partnership endured through absolute mutual trust. Following a rigorous path of historic Grand Prix victories and a reclaimed world title, they arrived at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. Overcoming a costly mistake in the short program, they delivered a flawless, record-shattering free skate to the Gladiator soundtrack, clinching Japan's first-ever Olympic pair gold and completing a legendary career golden slam.