Winter Olympics Tokyo Victory Parade Attracts 50,000; "Riku Ryu" Lift Electrifies Crowd

Central News Agency (Reporter Tai Ya-chen, Tokyo, 25th) The Japanese national team for the Milan Winter Olympics held a victory parade in Nihonbashi, Tokyo today, attracting approximately 50,000 people who cheered along the route. Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, known as "Riku Ryu," who won Japan's first gold medal in pair figure skating history and announced their retirement last week, spontaneously showcased their signature lift during the parade, sparking cheers from the entire crowd. According to NHK, the event began around 9 AM, with athletes divided into 8 groups for ceremonies and speeches, followed by a parade along a 700-meter section. This was the first time such a parade for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics was held in Tokyo, with over 110 athletes participating. Spectators along the route shouted "Thank you," and the athletes waved in response, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere. To allow distant spectators to see, "Riku Ryu" specially performed a lift. Miura stated that hearing so many people call their names made her "almost cry with emotion," and she deeply felt that she was able to stand there because of everyone's support. Kihara said he hoped that today would serve as an opportunity to introduce pair skating to more people, which is why they performed the lift. He also stated, "Today, I feel like I am embarking on a new beginning, and I will continue my activities as a professional in the future." In addition, Kokomo Murase, who won 1 gold and 1 bronze in women's snowboarding, and Momoka Muraoka, who won 2 silver medals in women's para alpine skiing, also appeared in the parade, greeting the crowds with beaming smiles. A woman in her 60s said she specifically came to see the retiring "Riku Ryu" and Kaori Sakamoto, saying, "I wanted to personally thank them; it was truly moving." A man in his 20s said these athletes brought unprecedented emotion, adding, "I've been looking forward to this day, wanting to see the athletes with my own eyes." A third-grade girl from Chiba, who arrived two hours early, said she found figure skaters elegant and cool, and wanted to cheer for Sakamoto, telling her, "Keep up the good work even after becoming a coach." Several athletes shared their feelings after the parade. Momoka Muraoka admitted that she once again deeply felt everyone's enthusiastic support, saying, "I should be the one thanking everyone," and stated that she would transform this energy into motivation for the future. She won two silver medals despite an injury before the competition, bringing her total Paralympic medals to 11, a record for Japanese athletes. Alpine skiing Paralympic bronze medalist Takeshi Suzuki said the emotion from the parade "was no less than winning a medal." Ski jumping star Sara Takanashi said it was "truly blissful" to see her supporters in person, adding, "Everyone's words have always supported me, and I will continue to carry this strength forward." Kaori Sakamoto, a prominent female figure skater who won a silver medal in her last Olympics before retirement, said that even two months after the Olympics, everyone's enthusiasm made her deeply feel the greatness of the Olympics. During the Beijing Olympics, held during the pandemic, she did not have the chance to directly hear people say "Congratulations" or "Thank you." This parade also allowed her to personally express gratitude to her supporters. She also revealed that she hopes to become a coach in the future, aiming to nurture more world-class athletes. Yuma Kagiyama, a male figure skater who won silver medals in two consecutive Olympics, said that through this parade, he once again realized the tremendous impact of the Olympic stage. He added that every moment of the quadrennial event is unforgettable, and both joy and frustration have become very important experiences. Miho Takagi, a speed skating star who announced her retirement this month and won 10 Olympic medals, said she was grateful for the supporters who went out of their way to come, allowing her to have such a wonderful time. Although the weather was a bit cold today, "my heart was warm." The Japanese team won a total of 5 gold, 7 silver, and 12 bronze medals, totaling 24 medals at the Milan Olympics, setting a new record for the most medals ever at the Winter Olympics; the Paralympics won 3 silver and 1 bronze, totaling 4 medals. (Edited by Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150425. Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom. Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated. The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.