Milano: Japan’s reigning world champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi scripted history by capturing the nation’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in pairs figure skating at the Winter Olympics 2026 on Monday night.
Fifth after a troubled short program that saw an error on their lift element, the Japanese duo produced a stunning comeback in the free skate. Delivering a career-best performance, they scored 158.13 in the free skate for a total of 231.24, vaulting past the top four teams to seal a memorable victory at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.
Overwhelmed as their winning score flashed on the screen, Miura and Kihara celebrated emotionally in the kiss-and-cry area amid a standing ovation. The triumph marks Japan’s first Olympic gold in figure skating since Hanyu Yuzuru defended his title at the Pyeongchang 2018.
“It still hasn’t sunk in,” Miura said after the event, expressing pride in their resilience following the short program setback. Kihara admitted he felt “broken” after the earlier mistake but credited the team’s support for helping him regroup for the decisive skate.
European champions Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia claimed silver with 221.75, earning their country’s first-ever Winter Olympic medal. Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin, who led after the short program, settled for bronze at 219.09.
Hungary’s Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko finished fourth (215.26), while reigning Olympic champions Sui Wenjing and Han Cong placed fifth with 208.64.
The gold adds to Miura and Kihara’s growing Olympic medal collection, having earlier secured team event silver at Milano Cortina 2026 and previously won team silver at the Beijing 2022.
Source: Milano Cortina Olympics 2026
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