Winter Olympics 2026: Rock-solid Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi top pairs free skate as Team Japan closes in on U.S. lead
Reigning world champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi gave Team Japan a thrilling performance on February 8 as they skated their hearts out during the pairs free skate segment of the figure skating team event at the Winter Olympics Milano Cortina 2026. The duo’s sensational display earned them an astounding score of 155.55, setting a personal best and securing 10 crucial points for their country.
Skating last in the segment, Miura and Kihara delivered a powerful interpretation of their Gladiator program, showcasing impressive technical skill and emotional expression that resonated with the audience in the rink. Their performance narrowly hoisted Japan to within two points of the leading United States team, now trailing 51 to 49 as the competition nears its climax.
After the scores were announced, an overjoyed Miura exclaimed, “We’re really glad we managed to put out a nice free skate tonight.” However, Kihara added a hint of ambition, saying, “We could have done even better.” Their remarks highlight the competitive spirit that defines elite figure skating.
The Americans Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea also found success, scoring a personal best of 135.36, showing resilience despite starting the evening. Remarkably, they outperformed the favored Canadian duo, further intensifying the competition for gold.
This thrilling night also included notable performances from Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava, representing Georgia, who skated to a superb 139.70, securing second place in the free skate, and Italy’s Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii, who charmed the home crowd with a spirited third-place finish, scoring 136.61.
With just two segments remaining in the event, this race for the podium is heating up drastically. Each assessed team has something significant to fight for, ensuring that figure skating fans are in for an exhilarating ride as the Olympics progress.
As the standings show, the USA maintains their narrow lead with 51 points, closely pursued by Japan at 49. Italy sits in third with 45 points, while Georgia and Canada trail behind, each boasting 41 points. With competitors facing such talented adversaries, tension and anticipation for the next performances continues to soar.
