Japan’s figure skating star Miura Riku in “best shape ever” for Milano Cortina 2026
Miura Riku is fit again and ready to embrace her Olympic dreams. The two-time pairs world champion, along with her partner Kihara Ryuichi, has bounced back from a dislocated shoulder injury that sidelined her in December. With only two years until the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, this dynamic duo claims they are experiencing their finest form in their seven years of partnership.
“Right now, I’m practising with no concerns whatsoever,” stated Miura on Monday evening during their first practice at the Milan Ice Skating Arena. “I feel like my shoulder has never felt stronger in my entire life since I was hurt. We’ve been through a lot in the last seven years, including injuries, and I feel like I’m in the best shape ever. I feel like we’ve grown like we never have.”
The incident that caused Miura’s shoulder injury occurred during warm-ups at the Japan nationals in December. Even though the pair withdrew before competing in the free skating, their past performance has earned them a spot in their second Olympics together. Miura and Kihara are hoping to secure Japan’s first-ever Olympic medal in the pairs category at the upcoming Olympics. Despite concerns surrounding her recovery, both athletes maintain confidence that they can claim gold.
“There are a lot of amazing athletes in the field,” Miura remarked. “That said, it’s the same faces from the Grand Prix Series, so we’re trying not to make too much out of the fact that this is the Olympics. For us, it’s business as usual and being loose.”
As the countdown to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics begins, Miura/Kihara’s resilience and determination serve as a warning to their competitors. The figure skating world now eagerly anticipates their return to competition, where every glide, jump, and spin will be meticulously watched. This is just the beginning for Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi as they seek to make history for Japanese pairs skating.
