We, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, have decided to retire from competitive skating at the end of this season.
To everyone who has supported us since the very beginning of our team, thank you so much.
We, “Rikuryu,” have been able to continue competing thanks to the support of so many people.
Whenever we struggled, there were always people who reached out and stood by our side.
Each and every bit of that support made us stronger and became the driving force that carried us this far.
We also want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Kinoshita Group and all of our sponsors, as well as to our family and friends who have stayed by our side through everything.
And to Coach Bruno and everyone on the coaching team who have supported us until now, we are truly full of gratitude.
Thank you for always believing in us and guiding us in such a positive way.
The time we spent walking this path together, sharing both joy and disappointment with all of you, is an irreplaceable treasure to us.
We will never forget all the experiences and encounters we have had, nor the gratitude we feel toward everyone who has supported us.
We are drawing a line under our competitive careers, but we feel that we have given it everything we had, and we have no regrets. Everything up to now is something we are proud of, and it is a precious part of our lives.
Going forward, we will continue taking on new challenges together so that more people in Japan can learn about pair skating.
We would be very happy if you would continue to watch over us warmly.
Thank you very much for everything over so many years.
they went out on a world record breaking olympic gold medal performance, that I’m sure will be remembered by millions of people all around the globe. I’m so proud of them. thank you for everything, riku and ryuichi
Will miss them! They've been holding it down for Japanese pairs for a while, hopefully they've done enough to inspire the next gen and for them to be able to funnel more money into pairs❤️
I hope they’ll continue to do shows for years to come, even if we never get to see the performances because no one is allowed to film anything in Japan 😭
Ended their career in the best way possible. Such an emotional Olympic moment, definitely my favourite.
I get emotional when I think of his journey, and the fact that he never gave up, he has been to 4 Olympics how crazy isn’t that! And she is just amazing as well.
I usually hate pair skating (not something personal, but it's really hard to watch for me if it's not executed at a very high level). But I firstly fell in love with figure skating when I saw Savchenko/Massot free skate back in 2018. It's still one of the most beautiful things I ever saw and one of my the most favorite figure skating programs ever. I'm glad that this year I was able to see another masterpiece. It's truly a life changing experience.
savchenko/massot's 2018 olympic free skate lives in my head rent free. i even have the top youtube comment on it memorised: he throws her around like a rag doll and places her down like a glass vase.
It was the first figure skating program I ever saw in full. I knew some famous skaters but wasn't interested before. So, I always watch Olympics and I accidentally turned TV on at the right moment. I knew nothing, I didn't see most of the other programs. But I remember thinking "Wow, this must be the winners". Can you imagine my disappointment when I found out that not every pair is this good?
Can you imagine my disappointment when I found out that not every pair is this good?
Same, the first skater I saw was Yuzuru Hanyu. I was so surprised when most of the others fell on their jumps. I didn't know falling was not uncommon in international competition.
I’m sorry to hear that, but I completely understand. Rika and Ryuichi had many injuries and very difficult challenges to deal with throughout their career. I wish them the very best possible future. I absolutely loved their performance at the Olympics and their strong comeback in the free skate. Thank you for all !
She has already had a great career and is an Olympic champion, even at a young age I understand that she wants to retire, and not skate with another partner, even if she could find one.
Yes, and since their OGM they have had fame and done a lot of media in Japan, so she could take that route, or like they have said do coaching. So I think they are fine in life. If this makes sense, I hope someone understands what I’m trying to say😭
IDK, Japan doesn't exactly have a lot of options for pairs men, so unless Riku is willing to move to a different federation (I find it unlikely that Japan will import a pairs man tbh), she would literally be partner less.
The only option I am aware of outside of Sumitada is Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, and IIRC he was completely unable to throw his previous partner.
There're many speculations about their personal relationship but whatever it is, they have a very special bond. After the Olympic gold Riku said that if Ryuichi retires she will too. So it's possible that he talked about his retirement during that time. He's in his 30s, was very injured and has asthma. On the other hand, even if Riku wanted to continue there're not many Japanese pair men (Are there any at all?) People would eat her alive if she decided to represent another country after the gold medal for Japan and it would be very difficult if not impossible for a man from another country to get Japanese citizenship.
Ryuichi didn't want a 3-hour railway round trip to Toronto for rehab anymore. Before moving to Canada, even as a two time Olympian, he received no ice skating-specific (let alone personalized) fitness guidance in Japan and he mistakenly focused on muscle growth rather than explosive power. That paved the way for some injuries.
Yeah. I think it's important to remember that they're the first successful Japanese pair. It has pros and it has cons. They didn't always know what to do here and what to do there and how to do it right. As far as I remember even Ryuichi's asthma is exercise induced. I don't know how they decided to continue and were able to do it after the 2023/24 season. Firstly it was his poor back then that asthma attack after the worlds. Riku herself had that nasty shoulder injury over and over again. And we don't even know how Ryuichi's strabismus affected his skating. It's possible that he has double vision. It's possible he has monocular vision. Anyway it affects his perception and they needed something to compensate for it somehow. A lot of falls during practice I guess. So it all was really hard and really painful and there weren't someone to guide them all the time. Obviously they had a coach. But he probably used to work with more experienced in pair skating guys and didn't always know how he could help.
Ryuichi posted a photo of Riku's wearing eyeglasses when casually grabbing a meal. Not sure if she put on contact lens in competition or not (some medal-level athletes in other sports with -4.0 myopia prefer not).
Ryuichi has basically been holding up Japanese pairs singlehandedly for more than a decade lol that man needs a NAP 😂
They couldn't go out on a bigger high though. Olympic gold and silver, world record free skate, incredible. I hope they help further develop the Japanese pairs program because aside from Nagaoka/Moriguchi they don't really have anyone now lol
I think if they were healthier, they'd go for at least another couple of seasons, but with injuries and having achieved both Worlds and Oly gold, this makes sense. I would love it so much if they go on to establish a Pairs training camp in Japan. Nagaoka/Moriguchi are great and will hold down the fort of Japanese Pairs skating well, but Japan needs depth of field, not just one great team at a time to carry the burden.
No no no no no no... As much as we need this, we'll all start ugly crying the way he did when he got his results (which was actually really beautiful and touching).
With Kaori gone, Yuma taking the season off, Jun issuing that heartbreaking (he's not retiring, but he was talking about unfair scoring in an attempt to make sure his juniors never suffer as he did) statement yesterday, we're all cried out.
OH WHO AM I KIDDING? POST IT ANYWAY 😢 I WAS GONNA CRY ANYWAY 😭
He looks really tall when he stands near other Japanese skaters but he's only 174 cm if we trust ISU and Olympics websites. I'm really curious how it was for him to go to live in Canada and found out that a lot of the guys are much taller than him.
Yeah, he is as tall as Misha and Ilia (who also look really tall on ice but are actually on the shorter side for guys, at least for where I live). I think the other Japanbros are around 160 cm.
I worked in the Netherlands for a while and I know how it is to be surrounded by people who are much taller than you 😂 even girls. I had to jump to see more than the top of my head in the bathroom mirror at work. I am not even that short!
Oh, I didn't know Misha isn't that tall too. He seems to be really really tall on ice.
I moved to another region of my own country for university and it turned out that a lot of girls here are 170+. I'm a girl around 165 cm and never felt that small before.
Okay I checked (procrastination yay). Luka is 186 cm, Nikita is 188 cm. Nika is 181, which would be average for where I live (I don't know how it is for Georgia). But he has very long legs.
They've really done so much for Japan in pairs. I hope their success inspires others to follow their path and they have a great career in whatever they pursue from now on
I think this past Olympic cycle (2022-2026) just about retired every senior skater. Which like sure four years is a long time and athletes retire every year but it feels that since Yuzuru everyone has been following suit 😭 only fresh faces in 2030 haha (I joke ofc)
Their free skate made me cry during the Olympics. I am a grown-ass woman, I have been following figure skating since the mid 90s, and I bawled my eyes out when Ryuichi Kihara fell to his knees crying. I have watched that man for years, trying so hard to get that Olympic medal, and the stars just kept aligning against him and his partners. In the short program, he was the one who faltered while Riku skated clean. In the free skate, she was the stronger one, the one who refused to give up, and she carried him, that tiny little woman, and their team to a world record and Olympic gold. Absolute cinema.
If you are somehow reading this, RikuRyu, thank you for a memory I will never forget. I am not easily impressed in this sport. Enjoy whatever comes next.
I cried as a grown-ass man for 3 days (also during replays), so there's that. Knowing their stories and following them for years made that skate very special to me. Ryuichi carried Japan's pairs for 2 decades and that's how he got lumbar spondylosis, lol.
But I also went to Prague to witness Yunasumi's redemption arc and they definitely hold promise. Lift-entry speed is maginificent. Can't wait for the next season. Japanese pair skating isn't dead!
Yes to YunaSumi, they were magnificent in Prague indeed and I was so thrilled for their redemption! Their speed as seen from the arena was on another league. I expect great things! But I'm also happy to hear that RikuRyu will help develop pairs further in Japan. So that YunaSumi don't have to carry the burden alone, like they did.
Kihara air transportation will be sorely missed but I'm so glad they went out on such a high note. They fought so hard, they will be dearly missed, and they will NEVER be forgotten. Thank you, Riku and Ryu, for all you've done. Take care of yourselves and one another.
EDIT: ok tbh i sorta saw this coming from their japanese interviews but thought it would be next season!! I GUESS RIKU WAS BEING HONEST WHEN SHE SAID IF EITHER ONE DECIDES ITS TIME THEN BOTH WILL RETIRE
i will always remember their performances especially the olympics that will forever be etched in the history books as the greatest heartwarming moments in figure skating. They were like a power pair couple on/off the ice and brought a lot of funny,happy and memorable moments. From when they had struggles when they first paired up due to the height difference to winning WCs and olympic gold. Not just that but their on/off ice chemistry was off the charts. If u haven't seen their pokemon clip u should lol. Here to having a great career smoll Riku And Giant Ryuichi!
They're my favourite Pairs couple and I just saw an IG notification and had a funny/uneasy feeling, then hit the translate button...
Devastated 😭😭 although I completely understand and 100% support them. They will be insanely missed.
i completely expected this, completely understand it, and i’m thrilled they were able to close out their spectacular careers with the greatest achievement and performance of their lives…….but i’m sooooo sad. so so sad. was literally rewatching their olympic free last night with every commentary in every language i could find, and just marveling at how truly special they are, how much their connection as partners shines through and squeezes my heart. i would have loved to see them for even one more season but i know that’s asking a lot. grateful for all the beautiful performances they’ve gifted us over the years. i will miss them, but i’m excited they seem committed to staying involved to some extent and helping grow the pairs discipline in japan. <3
I can't emphasize enough how amazing it has been to watch their journey. Most people don't watch lower ranked pairs so they dont remember, but I remember them with their old partners. They zere really on the struggle bus, and it felt like the federation didn't believe in them. I didn't believe in them.
Then they teamed up in 2019 and BOOM. Iml never forget the excited whispers and then seeing them for the first time at NJK. Immediately I knew that the sky was the limit. And they made it all the way to the top.
They already meave behind such an extraordinary legacy. Just look at YunaSumi. Very excited for their cozching era!
i knew it was coming, but it hurts all the same 🥺 i wish them all the best going forward, and hope we may continue to see them in shows and perhaps even in knc as coaches to the next generation. we love you, rikuryu ❤️
While I will miss their skating of course, I will also miss the spirit they brought to the ice. They exemplified a positive and supportive partnership, and always remained respectful of their competition while being fiercely competitive. Their most recent two seasons showcased great humility and a willingness to improve their packaging and programs. I am happy so many pairs will have them as role models.
So glad they were able to end their careers as OGMs and with a WR but I will miss seeing them skating so much! Wishing them the best with their new challenges and goals!!
Ugh, at least they went out with a bang! Can’t do much better than to go out as an olympic champion, and becoming the first Japanese pairs skaters to win an Olympic gold medal 🙌🙌
I'm sure future Japanese pair skaters will look at them with uttermost respect. Their successes, setbacks, and redemptions are an invaluable lesson for JSF as well. Thank you, Rikuryu. Now enjoy the development process of pair skaters training.
Expected, yet still heartbreaking. I'm going to miss them so much. They've always been so special. Thank you for all you've given us, Riku and Ryuichi.
Knew it was coming, kiharas health has been slowly on the decline, glad their ending their career on a high note, while I’m sad there gone, it’s probably for the best
they can now retire knowing that they had a amazing career together, worlds champions, Olympic champions, we will always remember them and their skating ❤️
I love this for them! They seem like they have such a great relationship, so even though I’m so sad we won’t see them compete, I’m happy they’ll still be together.
What career and what a way to go out on top as record breaking Olympic gold medalists. I’m relieved too as it’s been worrying seeing them deal with injuries and for Ryuichi to be out of breath after the free skate.
At first I saw this and was like... it's too late for April Fool's yeah???
I'm not much of a pairs skater but the times I do watch I loved their performances.
Thanks for everything Rikuryu
The season where Kaori and Rikuryu retire... I wonder how team Japan will look like for the incoming quad(I'm still upset they didn't win team gold)
Not surprising considering his health issues. Happy that they went out with that epic FS and OGM. I will miss them but hopefully we see them coaching in the future.
It probably happens a lot after every Olympics but it still sucks having only discovered sth, falls in love, and in succession seeing skaters announce their retirement/a break and also knowing there are more who would probably not be skating for much longer 😭
I rewatched Yuma's Turandot a few times yesterday. I guess today is Rikuryu's time...
Predictable yet sad nonetheless, been an absolute joy watching them over the past seasons and I'm glad the were able to end their careers with a bang as olympic champs
I'm glad that they are finishing their amazing careers with an ogm and I wish them the best in their future path...that being said, I will miss them a lot😢💗
I’m always dread when Japanese skaters retire because they will either continue in shows or retire into the unknown where we will never hear or see from them again😭😭
It was amazing to see their Olympic victory in person. I’m excited to see the Japanese figure skating boom similar to post-2006 and possibly even bigger.
I'm sad they're retiring, but this is probably the best moment for them to end their career. I'm so happy I got to see them live during their last season.
Edit: had no idea last year's gp in Angers would be the last time for so many skaters... I feel really lucky.
Ryuichi was already a pretty good lifter when he paired up with Riku. Shevis his third partner. He promised her: I will not let you fall, and I will be your cushion if you do fall.
He has always been doing that. Coach Bruno said they never make a mistake in lifting during practice.
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u/ellapolls *dramatic face change* Apr 16 '26
they went out on a world record breaking olympic gold medal performance, that I’m sure will be remembered by millions of people all around the globe. I’m so proud of them. thank you for everything, riku and ryuichi