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3w ago

Miura and Kihara Rally to Olympic Pairs Gold, Japan’s First Medal in the Event

The two-time world champions surged from fifth with personal-best scores to cap a reshaped podium in Milan.

Japan's Riku Miura (R) and Japan's Ryuichi Kihara (L) react in the kiss and cry area after competing in the figure skating pair skating free skating final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on February 16, 2026. (Photo by Antonin THUILLIER / AFP via Getty Images)
Feb 16, 2026; Milan, Italy; Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan pose on the podium after winning gold, as Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia win silver, and Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin of Germany win bronze in the pairs free skate during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Feb 16, 2026; Milan, Italy; Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia compete in the pairs free skate during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 16: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was captured using a robotic camera positioned above the field of play.) Anastasiia Metelkina and partner Luka Berulava of Team Georgia compete during Pair Skating - Free Skating on day ten of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 16, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara posted personal bests of 158.13 in the free skate and 231.24 overall to clinch gold.
  • The Japanese pair rebounded from short-program errors that left them fifth overnight before delivering a decisive free skate.
  • Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava won silver with 221.75, continuing their rapid rise after teaming up in 2023 and taking the European title in January.
  • Overnight leaders Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin slipped to bronze on 219.09 following mistakes in their free skate.
  • Defending champions Sui Wenjing and Han Cong finished fifth on 208.64 after jump issues in their first season back from retirement, and Miura/Kihara had earlier helped Japan to team silver.