Japanese Pair Figure Skating Duo 'RikuRyu' Suddenly Announces Retirement, Will Challenge New Fields Together
Japanese pair figure skaters Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, known as "RikuRyu," who won Japan's first Olympic gold in pair skating at the Milan Winter Olympics in February, announced their retirement today via social media. They stated their intention to challenge new fields together and promote pair figure skating in Japan.
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- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 10:07
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TOKYO (CNA) – Japanese pair figure skaters Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, known as "RikuRyu," who won Japan's first Olympic gold medal in pair figure skating at the Milan Winter Olympics in February this year, announced their retirement today via social media.
In a joint Instagram post, the two stated, "Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara have decided to officially retire after the end of this season."
They also wrote, "Although we are bringing our competitive careers to an end, our hearts are filled with the satisfaction of having given our all, and we have no regrets. Everything we have achieved so far is our pride and a precious asset."
Regarding the future, the two said, "We hope to continue to introduce pair figure skating to more Japanese people and will challenge new fields together. We hope everyone will continue to support us warmly in the future."
Miura, 24, and Kihara, 33, formed a partnership in 2019, first competing in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and finishing 7th. In 2023, they became the first Japanese pair to win the World Championships, and won again in 2025.
At the Milan Winter Olympics, their journey from the despair of a short program error to a record-breaking comeback to win gold, a process of "despair to miracle," moved the world.
The "RikuRyu" duo achieved a difficult "Golden Slam" in their professional careers, dominating the Olympics, World Championships, Four Continents Championships, and Grand Prix Final. After returning to Japan, Miura once revealed that if Kihara retired, she would retire with him. Now, the two will challenge new fields together, embarking on a new chapter in their lives. (Editor: Chen Hui-ping) 1150417
In a joint Instagram post, the two stated, "Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara have decided to officially retire after the end of this season."
They also wrote, "Although we are bringing our competitive careers to an end, our hearts are filled with the satisfaction of having given our all, and we have no regrets. Everything we have achieved so far is our pride and a precious asset."
Regarding the future, the two said, "We hope to continue to introduce pair figure skating to more Japanese people and will challenge new fields together. We hope everyone will continue to support us warmly in the future."
Miura, 24, and Kihara, 33, formed a partnership in 2019, first competing in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and finishing 7th. In 2023, they became the first Japanese pair to win the World Championships, and won again in 2025.
At the Milan Winter Olympics, their journey from the despair of a short program error to a record-breaking comeback to win gold, a process of "despair to miracle," moved the world.
The "RikuRyu" duo achieved a difficult "Golden Slam" in their professional careers, dominating the Olympics, World Championships, Four Continents Championships, and Grand Prix Final. After returning to Japan, Miura once revealed that if Kihara retired, she would retire with him. Now, the two will challenge new fields together, embarking on a new chapter in their lives. (Editor: Chen Hui-ping) 1150417