Japan hails 'new chapter' with first Olympic pairs skating goldGold medalists Japan's Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara pose after the victory ceremony of 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. TOKYO, Japan — Japan hailed a "new chapter" in the country's figure skating on Tuesday after Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara pulled off a stunning comeback to claim pairs gold at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Miura and Kihara won Japan's first Olympic pairs gold with the performance of their careers, coming from fifth overnight to land the title with personal best scores. It was the first time Japan had won an Olympic figure skating pairs medal of any color. "I feel it is a remarkable feat that opens a new chapter in the history of Japanese figure skating."

Source: Philippine Star February 17, 2026 07:22 UTC