Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara: A formidable duo on the ice rink.

During the emotionally charged days of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics , Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara were two athletes who made a remarkable impact together. Not only did they brilliantly win the gold medal in the doubles figure skating event with a world record score, but the pair, nicknamed “Rikuryu,” also left a strong and moving impression with their performance, their mutual support on the ice, and their exceptional demeanor throughout their journey to glory.

Initially, Ryuichi Kihara brought tears to the eyes of his fans. The athlete had suffered bitter defeats in the singles events at the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics. Subsequently, persistent back injuries and his age, considered “past his prime,” nearly discouraged him from pursuing a top-level competitive career.

Ryuichi Kihara once retired from figure skating, returned to Aichi Prefecture (Japan), and took on various jobs to make a living, despite remaining involved in the sport. At that time, Ryuichi Kihara was naturally unknown, and his income was meager. To survive, he accepted jobs such as handing out skates, working night shifts at accommodation, and teaching young children how to skate. He himself described his wages at the time as “similar to a student’s part-time job.” To put it more poetically, everything for Ryuichi Kihara was like that of an artist who had passed his peak and was gradually fading into oblivion.

But his burning passion compelled Ryuichi Kihara to “take the risk” once again. That’s why fans saw the 33-year-old athlete sobbing after his magnificent performance that earned Japan a historic gold medal in the doubles figure skating event.

But Ryuichi Kihara couldn’t have achieved success alone, and he reserved the highest praise for his partner, Riku Miura. This petite 24-year-old, standing at just 1.46 meters tall, was the key factor in restoring Ryuichi Kihara’s peak performance. Together, they achieved numerous successes, including two World Championships (2023, 2024), two silver medals in the team event at the Winter Olympics (2022, 2026), five gold medals at the ISU Grand Prix, and many other prestigious titles. Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara seemed destined for each other in figure skating, and they are the perfect pair, “Rikuryu.”

The ice-cold Riku Miura serves as a pillar of support for the sensitive Ryuichi Kihara.

After Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara won the gold medal in the doubles figure skating event at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, images and footage of Ryuichi Kihara breaking down in tears and leaning his head on the calm Riku Miura’s shoulder had a powerful impact on fans. Later, more interesting details about the duo were revealed, showcasing just how strong-willed and talented Riku Miura truly is.

Throughout his participation in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Ryuichi Kihara was constantly… in tears. Riku Miura even asked in surprise, “Why are you crying even during warm-ups?” When Ryuichi Kihara replied that he didn’t know why, Riku Miura became a true psychological expert, helping his fellow athlete release his emotions and transform his determination into concrete action on the ice.

Initially, Ryuichi Kihara and Riku Miura didn’t achieve the highest level of accuracy. In the short program, they made mistakes and fell into a disadvantage. Of course, Ryuichi Miura cried, and this significantly affected his morale and put him at risk of failure. But Riku Miura didn’t shed a single tear, confidently asserting to the media: “We made mistakes today, but we will start over. If we believe we can do it, we will do it.”

When the subsequent performance went so far as to go down in Olympic history, while Ryuichi Kihara continued to cry, Riku Miura remained calm. She then emphasized, “What makes me happiest is that we were able to rise above our previous mistakes and demonstrate the strength we’ve accumulated over time.” This seemingly simple statement reflected Riku Miura’s extraordinary willpower.

Going back in time, seven years ago, fate brought Ryuichi Kihara and Riku Miura together on the ice. In June 2019, when the Japan Skating Federation held a doubles audition at Chukyo University, Canadian coach Bruno Marcotte brought Ryuichi Kihara and Riku Miura together.

Initially, Marcotte casually suggested that Ryuichi Kihara try skating with Riku Miura for an hour “to see how things go.” Unexpectedly, when a moment of brilliance occurred—Ryuichi Kihara’s twist lift and Riku Miura’s “beautifully soaring flight, reaching the pinnacle of artistry,” as Marcotte put it—it left Marcotte stunned. From that moment on, Ryuichi Kihara and Riku Miura became skating partners. Later, Ryuichi Kihara confessed that that very moment felt like he’d been struck by lightning, and his emotions exploded, rediscovering his love and determination for figure skating.

Later, Ryuichi Kihara and Riku Miura went to Canada for training. Their coach, of course, was Marcotte. What followed, in the words of sports fans, “became history.”

In recent days, Ryuichi Kihara and Riku Miura have been showering each other with romantic compliments. At times, Ryuichi Kihara has frequently carried Riku Miura, fearing she might stumble and get injured, further melting the hearts of their fans. Neutral viewers might assume they are a real couple, their love blossoming into a shared passion during training and competition. However, according to international media reports, Ryuichi Kihara and Riku Miura are simply ice skating partners, just as they were seven years ago. Of course, at this point, everyone wants to “ship” them as a real couple, both on the ice and in their personal lives.

“When I tossed Riku Miura into the air, both in training and competition, I never missed catching her. And if I did miss, I would use my whole body to catch her from below,” Ryuichi Kihara shared. For his part, Riku Miura expressed his utmost respect for his co-star: “If anyone can do that, it can only be Ryuichi Kihara. I have unwavering faith in him, and we will always have that faith.”

Given the affection and sincerity they show each other, it’s no coincidence that a Japanese sports commentator praised them, saying, “This is the role model that every figure skating pair in the world should emulate.”

At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Ryuichi Kihara and Riku Miura only finished 7th. But at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, this perfect pair won the gold medal, setting a world record with 158.13 points in the freestyle event and a total score of 231.24.