Tokyo International News Agency

On April 28, 2026, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara—the figure skating pair affectionately known as "RikuRyu," who established numerous milestones in Japanese skating history—held a press conference in Tokyo to announce their retirement from competitive skating. As the conference began, Kihara was visibly moved, his eyes welling with tears as he reflected on their journey. Finding himself choked up at the podium, he managed to say, "I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart." His partner, Miura, lightened the mood with a smile, playfully asking, "You're crying already?" and joking, "I guess I've become the one who has to pull us through today." Their interaction highlighted the profound trust and unbreakable bond that defined their partnership. Regarding their decision, the duo appeared refreshed, stating they had given everything to the sport. "We’ve left it all on the ice and have absolutely no regrets," they shared, descri...

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, the beloved figure skating pair known as "RikuRyu" who brought countless moments of inspiration to Japan, have officially announced their retirement from competitive skating. The pair, who achieved stellar results in numerous international competitions, including their historic gold medal win, have left fans worldwide in a state of both shock and profound gratitude. True to Miura's long-standing promise that "when Ryuichi retires, I will retire too," the duo has decided to close this chapter of their athletic careers together. Regarding their future, they have stated that they look forward to "taking on new challenges together," and anticipation is already building for their next stage of life beyond the competitive rink. Following the announcement, social media has been flooded with warm messages such as "Thank you for all the emotion you've given us" and "We will always love you." News of upcomin...