'RikuRyu' Wins Gold in Final Season, Tearfully Bids Farewell to Competitive Career
Olympic gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, Japan's legendary figure skating pair, officially announced their retirement at a press conference in Tokyo today, ending their competitive careers on a high note.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 13:50
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Tokyo, April 28 (CNA) — Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, the 'RikuRyu' duo who won Japan's first-ever Olympic gold medal in pair figure skating at the Milan Winter Olympics, held a retirement press conference in Tokyo today, officially bringing their competitive careers to a close. Kihara was overcome with emotion from the start, bursting into tears just three seconds into the opening, while Miura gently comforted him, saying, 'Don't cry.'
Japanese media Sponichi Annex reported that Miura appeared in a white suit and Kihara in a gray suit. As they took their seats after receiving bouquets, Kihara suddenly began to cry. Miura softly consoled him. Later, discussing life after retirement, Miura mentioned needing to maintain her fitness for ice shows, to which Kihara whispered something without a microphone, prompting her to retort 'Shut up,' recreating their characteristic bickering that drew laughter from the audience.
The pair had announced their retirement via social media on the 17th, stating on Instagram: 'Although we are ending our competitive lives, our hearts are filled with the satisfaction of having given our all, without any regrets.' Regarding the timing, Miura revealed they entered this season with the mindset that it 'might be the last.' Despite falling to 5th after the short program at the Olympics, their overwhelming performance in the long program left them with no regrets. They had already decided to skip the World Championships.
Kihara also noted that since last May, he believed this would be his final season. He admitted his tears on the Olympic ice were because he knew it was his last competition. In February, Kihara expressed a long-term goal of becoming a pairs coach, while Miura emphasized she would never pair with anyone else: 'When Kihara retires, I retire.'
Miura (24) and Kihara (33) teamed up in 2019 despite a 9-year age gap, training in Canada under Bruno Marcotte. After finishing 7th at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, they became Japan's first World Champions in 2023 and won again in 2025. Their 'miracle' gold at the Milan Winter Olympics, rising from 5th to 1st with a record score, moved the world.
Japanese media Sponichi Annex reported that Miura appeared in a white suit and Kihara in a gray suit. As they took their seats after receiving bouquets, Kihara suddenly began to cry. Miura softly consoled him. Later, discussing life after retirement, Miura mentioned needing to maintain her fitness for ice shows, to which Kihara whispered something without a microphone, prompting her to retort 'Shut up,' recreating their characteristic bickering that drew laughter from the audience.
The pair had announced their retirement via social media on the 17th, stating on Instagram: 'Although we are ending our competitive lives, our hearts are filled with the satisfaction of having given our all, without any regrets.' Regarding the timing, Miura revealed they entered this season with the mindset that it 'might be the last.' Despite falling to 5th after the short program at the Olympics, their overwhelming performance in the long program left them with no regrets. They had already decided to skip the World Championships.
Kihara also noted that since last May, he believed this would be his final season. He admitted his tears on the Olympic ice were because he knew it was his last competition. In February, Kihara expressed a long-term goal of becoming a pairs coach, while Miura emphasized she would never pair with anyone else: 'When Kihara retires, I retire.'
Miura (24) and Kihara (33) teamed up in 2019 despite a 9-year age gap, training in Canada under Bruno Marcotte. After finishing 7th at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, they became Japan's first World Champions in 2023 and won again in 2025. Their 'miracle' gold at the Milan Winter Olympics, rising from 5th to 1st with a record score, moved the world.