Ryuichi Kihara reflected on the Olympic period, saying, “Because I knew it was the last, I couldn’t stop crying.”
World champion pair Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara revealed the timing and reasons behind their retirement, reflecting on their journey and announcing plans to continue as professional skaters.
original source: Nikkansports 28th April 2026
Riku Miura (24) and Ryuichi Kihara (33) of the Kinoshita Group – held a retirement press conference at a Tokyo hotel on the 28th, sharing when and why they decided to retire. Here’s a translation of their comments posted on Nikkansports.
They began considering retirement around the time they won their second world championship last year. Miura recalled, “When we won, both of us started to feel that this might be our last World Championships.” This feeling influenced their program choices as well. Although they had initially started choreographing to a different piece, they changed their free skate to the movie “Gladiator,” saying, “If this is our last season, I really want to skate to this.” They also told their choreographer that it might be their final season.
Kihara explained that this season was entirely focused on the Olympics. “We were thorough in everything, including physical preparation.” That’s why the mistake in the short program at the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February was such a shock. “After all that work, I couldn’t stop crying, wondering what it was all for.” Still, they regrouped for the free skate and gave it their all. “Now, I truly appreciate the importance of all the effort we put in,” he said.
Throughout the season, the thought that “this might be our last” was always present for both of them. When they reached the big stage, and after winning gold at the Olympics, they naturally felt, “This is it, we’re retiring.”
Kihara reflected on the Olympic period, saying, “Because I knew it was the last, I couldn’t stop crying.” He recalled loosening Miura’s body with a technique taught by their trainer before the competition, realizing, “This is the end,” and being overwhelmed with emotion.
Related topics: Riku Miura Ryuichi Kihara
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