Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara: “Training with the world’s top-level ice dancers, we felt that their level of dance was so high and realized how low our own level was. But we were told that we should try to express ourselves even if we are not skilled, to cast away our shame.”
Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara about their new programs.
original source: number.bunshun.jp dd. 22d October 2023 by Akiko Tamura
In the interview posted on Sports Graphic Number Web, Riku Miura (22) and Ryuichi Kihara (32) spoke about their new programs. Here’s a translation of their comments.
This was their first international victory since the 2023 World Championships, following two years of struggling with injuries, so Kihara admitted, “I am truly happy to have been able to participate in the GP series after two years and to win again after such a long time,” speaking about his feelings.
Their biggest goal for this season is “to complete a season together without injuries.”
They also spoke about image change and trying new styles for their programs this season.
“For the past few years, we had received suggestions about trying a new style,” said Bruno Marcotte, coach of the pair. “But it’s difficult to make changes when things are going well. However, after the challenges we faced last year, we decided to take a new direction this season.”
The SP was choreographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne, and the free program by Marie-France Dubreuil. “Both are great choreographers, and since we were looking for a new style, we thought it would be good to ask different choreographers for the short and free,” said Marcotte.
The S “Paint It Black” choreographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne and Kihara mentioned that instead of smiles, they aimed for a “mysterious” atmosphere. Prefacing his statement with “It’s not religious but…” Kihara revealed that Shae-Lynn had given them the theme of reincarnation.
“The latter part of the step sequence is about not being reborn together with the people you were with before (in past lives). Despite various things obstructing us, we fight and run through together, striving to be reborn together. We are fighting off, battling, and breaking through to be reborn. That’s the image we aim to portray,” Ryuichi told.
The free program to “Adios” by Benjamin Clementine was choreographed by Marie-France Dubreuil. For the choreography, they trained for two weeks at the Ice Academy of Montreal. “Training with the world’s top-level ice dancers, I felt that their level of dance was so high… I realized how low our own level was. I remember discussing that we shouldn’t be embarrassed but should try to express ourselves even if we are not skilled, to cast away our shame,” said Kihara.
“(At the beginning) it’s like the man says ‘I don’t need you anymore, adios (goodbye),’ sort of angrily, but not really…” Riku Miura explained a complex romantic relationship story between a man and a woman they show in the free program. “In the end, it all concludes with ‘What are you talking about? You belong to me,'” Kihara explained further. “From the start, it’s like I’m grabbed by the neck, flustered, thinking this way, that way… and finally, it ends with ‘What are you talking about? You’re mine.'” After Kihara finished explaining, Miura added, “I will try my best to portray a strong woman,” with a smile.
“When Marie-France was choreographing us, I felt that it’s not just about skating technique… Just skating isn’t enough. Even if it’s a performance where naturally smiling made sense before, even during good performances, now I try to focus on acting without smiling until the end,” said Kihara.
“As it’s a program with a new image, we want to change our image. I hope we can discover a new version of ourselves throughout the season,” said Miura.
Related topics: Riku Miura Ryuichi Kihara
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