Full Breakdown
Japan's Historic Olympic Pairs Figure Skating Gold
2/17/2026, 2:49:03 AM
Dramatic Turnaround in Milan Cortina
At the Milan Cortina Games, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara achieved a historic milestone for Japan by winning the country's first Olympic gold medal in pairs figure skating. After a shaky performance in the short program that left them in fifth place, the two-time world champions delivered a flawless free skate, scoring 158.13 points and a total of 231.24 points, setting a world record under the current scoring system. Their performance, set to music from the film "Gladiator," showcased their technical prowess and emotional depth, allowing them to overcome a 6.9-point deficit from the previous day.
Key Competitors and Results
The competition was fierce, with several pairs vying for medals. Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia made history by securing their nation's first Olympic medal, finishing with a silver score of 221.75 points. Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin from Germany, who led after the short program, ultimately took bronze with 219.09 points despite struggling in their free skate. Other notable performances included Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps of Canada, who finished 11th after a disappointing short program, and U.S. pairs Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, who placed ninth.
Official Statements & Responses
Riku Miura expressed disbelief at their victory, stating, "We still can't believe that this has happened after yesterday's performance." Ryuichi Kihara added, "We were quite disappointed with what happened, but we're really happy with how we skated today." Their coach, Bruno Marcotte, emphasized the importance of resilience, telling them to "be the best in the world" and to "create magic and skate with your heart."
Minerva Hase reflected on her team's achievement, saying, "It's a medal at the Olympics. I don't think it matters the color." Meanwhile, Berulava celebrated their silver, calling it "the best day in my life."
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, some critiques emerged regarding the performance of the defending Olympic champions, Sui Wenjing and Han Cong from China, who finished fifth. Their struggles with jumps were noted, as they had only returned to competition this season after a hiatus. The absence of Russian and Belarusian skaters from the event, due to international sanctions, also raised discussions about the changing landscape of competitive figure skating.
What's Next
The success of Miura and Kihara is expected to inspire future generations of skaters in Japan and beyond. As the Olympic spotlight shifts, the focus will likely be on how this victory influences funding and support for figure skating in Japan, as well as the broader implications for international competition in the sport.
