Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, the celebrated Japanese pairs figure skating champions, have recently shared the joyful news of their engagement via Instagram. The announcement, made on 22 August, came as they prepare to embark on a new chapter in both their personal and professional lives.
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The couple, widely known as “RikuRyu,” revealed that the proposal occurred on the ice, the very surface where they have spent countless hours training and competing together. Miura, 24, expressed her delight in a heartfelt post, stating, “Through both the happy times and the difficult ones, we’ve shared so many moments together, supporting each other every step of the way.” She further reflected on their deep connection, saying, “Over time, we became irreplaceable parts of each other’s lives.”
The engagement comes on the heels of their momentous achievement at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, where they secured a gold medal, a historic first for a Japanese pairs team in figure skating. In the images shared on social media, Kihara is seen down on one knee, ring box in hand, while other snapshots capture the couple’s joy and love, including a playful picture of Miura pointing to her fiancé wearing the engagement ring.
The support from their fellow athletes has been overwhelming. Olympic competitors such as Madison Chock and Piper Gilles congratulated the couple in the comments, reflecting the strong camaraderie that exists within the sporting community. Chock expressed her happiness with a heartfelt, “Congratulations friends!!! 🥹💞”, while Gilles chimed in, “So happy for you!”
Miura and Kihara first partnered in 2019 and made quite the impression at their debut competition, the NHK Trophy held later that year. Their impressive trajectory continued as they brought home a silver medal in the team event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Their recent Olympic success in Milan marked a significant achievement, not just for themselves but for the sport in Japan as well, as they set a world record with an outstanding score of 158.13 points.
Their journey, however, has not been without challenges. Both athletes have faced considerable adversity throughout their careers, with Kihara battling recurring back injuries, and Miura dealing with a chronic shoulder dislocation. These personal struggles have only served to strengthen their bond, both on and off the ice.
In April 2023, the duo announced their retirement from competitive skating, candidly expressing their gratitude to the supporters who have stood by them throughout their journey. Their message reflected a sense of fulfilment, stating, “While our competitive careers are coming to an end, we truly feel that we gave it our all, and have no regrets.” They have also expressed intentions to continue promoting pairs skating in Japan and to embrace new challenges post-retirement.
As they step into this new phase of their lives together, Miura and Kihara not only look to honour their shared history but also aim to inspire future generations in the world of figure skating. They expressed hope that their fans will continue to support them in their personal and professional endeavours, promising to stay true to themselves as they navigate this new chapter hand in hand.
The figure skating community and fans across the world eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for the newly engaged couple, united by their love both for one another and for the sport that brought them together. As they continue to champion and elevate the profile of pairs skating in Japan, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara are sure to remain a beloved duo for years to come.