‘RikuRyu’ defy the odds to produce Japan’s miracle on ice

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Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara pose for a photo after winning gold medals in pairs skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy on Feb. 16. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)

TOKYO — Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, better known as “RikuRyu,” staged a comeback for the ages at the Milan Cortina Games, rocketing from fifth after the short program to a world record in the free skate and delivering Japan its first ever Olympic gold in pairs figure skating.