Rikuryu Soars to Historic Gold: Japan's First-Ever Olympic Pairs Victory in Dramatic Comeback
In a dramatic comeback at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Japanese figure skating pair Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, affectionately known as "Rikuryu," clinched Japan's first-ever Olympic gold medal in the pair's event. They soared from a fifth-place finish in the short program (SP) to a historic victory. After a disappointing start in the SP, they delivered a breathtaking performance in the free program, dubbed the "best performance in the universe." Their flawless skating brought tears to the eyes of spectators, earning them a world record free program score of 158.13 points. Their total score reached 231.24 points, marking what is truly one of the "greatest comebacks in Olympic history" and etching a new chapter into the record books. Following their performance, Kihara was overcome with emotion, shedding tears that Miura gently embraced, a scene that deeply moved many. On social media, an outpouring of praise included comments like ...