In a historic achievement for Japan, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara secured their nation’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in ice dancing pairs on February 16, 2026, at the Milan Cortina Winter Games. Demonstrating exceptional skill and resilience, the pair delivered a record-breaking free skate, elevating their position from fifth after the short program to the top of the podium. This victory marked a significant milestone not only for their careers but also for Japanese figure skating history, culminating weeks of intense competition, setbacks, and inspiring performances by athletes across the globe.
Breaking New Ground in Japan’s Winter Sports Legacy
Historic Win and Breakthrough Performance
Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara’s triumphant performance was more than just a personal achievement—it represented Japan’s first gold medal in Olympic pairs figure skating. Their performance culminated in a total score of 231.24 points, shattering previous records with a free skate score of 158.13, which set a new world record. Against the backdrop of a challenging competition, their flawless execution and bold artistic interpretation stood out, clinching the victory after climbing from the fifth position following their short program.
The duo’s journey was far from smooth. A slip-up the night before—an uncharacteristic mistake during a lift—had initially left them behind competitors. Still, their resilience and meticulous polishing of their routines enabled them to turn their Olympic challenge into triumph.
Significance for Japanese Figure Skating
Japan’s victory resonates beyond the achievement of the athletes; it signifies a renaissance in Japanese figure skating code and legacy. With this historic win, the nation’s figure skating legend is being rewritten, inspiring a new generation of skaters to aim higher. Their success at Milan underscores the nation’s rising prominence in the sport, marking a new chapter where Japan is now counted among the top contenders in the world of pairs figure skating.
Medal Highlights and Notable Performances
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Historical Firsts and Unexpected Results
Adding to the storyline, Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava made history for Georgia with their silver medal, tallying 221.75 points. Their achievement was a landmark moment for the small nation at their debut Winter Olympics. Meanwhile, German pair Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin secured bronze with a score of 219.09, delivering a strong performance despite stiff competition.
Earlier in the competition, the short program was chaotic, with some of the world’s best skaters stumbling or facing unforeseen difficulties. This upheaval meant that many top contenders faced a tough path to the finals, disrupting the usual order of favorites and opening the door for surprises.
Challenges for Top Athletes
Among those who faced adversity was Canada’s Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps. Despite being reigning world champions, they encountered setbacks that hampered their overall score. Stellato-Dudek, 42 years old and born in Chicago, suffered a fall during their warmup and during the free skate itself. Her fall while dismounting a lift early in their routine cost the team around ten points. Despite their resilient effort, they finished in 11th place with 192.61 points, a disappointing outcome given their high expectations.
The Canadian pair’s experience underscored the unpredictable nature of Olympic competition, where even seasoned champions can be derailed by minor mishaps. Deschamps commented, “Just to be out here on and skating on the ice was a privilege and really amazing.”
Meanwhile, U.S. pairs faced their own hurdles. Ellie Kam and Spencer O’Shea overcame fatigue and performance issues to finish ninth overall. Their journey was marked by perseverance, with Kam expressing pride in their efforts despite the final placement: “We definitely did leave it all out there, just not in the way that I had thought that it was going to go. But I’m still so proud of everything that we’ve done here.”
Contenders and Showdowns
Rebooted Champions and New Challengers
Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, the reigning Olympic champions, encountered difficulties but managed a respectable fifth place finish. After Sui’s off-script fall on their opening triple loop during the short program, the pair faced an uphill battle. Their free skate was also imperfect—they turned a triple salchow into a double—but their overall score of 208.64 kept them in the hunt initially, demonstrating resilience after only resuming their competitive season last June following a two-year retirement.
Meanwhile, Miura and Kihara showcased total mastery with their free skate, executing a flawless routine set to “Gladiator” soundtrack. Their opening triple toe-double axel-double axel sequence was a highlight, and Miura’s elegant throw triple loop capped an outstanding performance, setting a high bar for their competitors. Kihara, typically emotionless after their short program, displayed pure adrenaline and joy when their score was announced, then quietly embraced Miura, signaling the emotional weight of their victory.
The American Challenge and Future Prospects
Other Notable Performances
The United States’ pairs team of Ellie Kam and Spencer O’Shea didn’t reach the heights they envisioned. After a strong short program that placed them seventh, fatigue seemed to take its toll during their free skate, culminating in a ninth-place finish. Kam expressed satisfaction with their effort, emphasizing the pride in their journey: “I love skating, and skating on Olympic ice is literally a dream coming true. This whole time that we’ve been here has been an amazing experience.”
O’Shea, 35, whose career might be winding down, highlighted the significance of their participation, despite the exhaustion: “This whole time that we’ve been here has been an amazing experience. It’s definitely one where we’re feeling a little tired by the end of it. But we’re very proud of the whole body of work that we put out across the time that we’ve been here.”
The pair’s experience reflects the larger picture of American pairs, which faced setbacks partly due to citizenship restrictions—they couldn’t have entered their top two pairs due to eligibility issues—yet still showed resilience and dedication. The American figure skating community remains optimistic about future prospects, especially for younger athletes like Kam, who is only 21 and still in the early stages of her pairs career.
Overall Reflection
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The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan cemented a year of remarkable achievements, unexpected challenges, and historic moments across the figure skating competition. Japan’s gold medal win by Miura and Kihara stands out as a defining highlight, symbolizing the sport’s evolving landscape and the power of perseverance. With athletes from Georgia and Germany also stepping onto the podium for the first time, the event showcased the broadening competitiveness worldwide.
As the games continue to unfold, athletes and fans alike are reminded that in the world of figure skating, excellence is often defined by resilience, artistry, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness—even amid chaos and setbacks. For Japan’s skaters, this Olympic victory will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration for years to come, sparking new ambitions and elevating the sport to new heights on the world stage.
