Few would have guessed that behind that tearful moment on the Olympic ice rink lay the quiet journey of an athlete who had to give up the spotlight to make a living and rediscover her unfulfilled dream.

At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, the Japanese pair Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara staged one of the most stunning comebacks in figure skating history. They didn’t just win the gold medal; they did it in a way that left the world speechless.

The performance set a shocking Olympic record.

Miura and Kihara began competing together in 2019 in the mixed doubles event. At that time, Miura was only 18 years old and a prominent young talent in Japanese figure skating. She impressed with her solid technique, confident demeanor, and striking appearance on the ice, attracting significant attention from the domestic media.

Conversely, Kihara is 9 years older than his co-star. When paired with Miura, he was 27 years old and had already experienced many ups and downs in his career.

The age difference was not a barrier. On the ice, they displayed rare chemistry, performing complex lifting and supporting movements with great precision and grace.

The performance achieved a record score at the Olympics.

However, the journey to the Olympic gold medal was not without its difficulties.

In the first round, called Short Program, Kihara made a technical error that resulted in a significant point deduction for the pair. They only scored 73.11 points, ranking 5th and falling far behind. The risk of going home empty-handed was clear.

But just one day later, in the Free Skating event, Miura and Kihara delivered what was considered a perfect performance. The duo scored 158.13 points, a record high score in the free skating event at the Olympics.

With a total score of 231.24, they staged a spectacular comeback to win the gold medal. International press described their free program with phrases such as “flawless,” “unbelievably perfect,” and “beyond all expectations.”

This victory also marked the first time in history that a Japanese pair won an Olympic gold medal in the synchronized skating event. The moment the score was announced, Kihara collapsed onto the ice and burst into tears.

Photo: UPI-Yonhap

The hardships of life behind the glamour

Few people know that, before reaching the pinnacle of the Olympics, Kihara was very close to deciding to retire.

During his junior singles years, he didn’t make a significant impact. In 2013, following advice from the Japan Skating Federation that he had a chance to compete in the Olympics if he changed direction, Kihara began competing in doubles.

He participated in the 2014 Sochi Olympics but was unable to advance to the freestyle event. Four years later, at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, after forming a new team, he was again eliminated in the final qualifying round.

By 2019, unable to find a new ice skating partner, Kihara faced the prospect of retirement. To make ends meet, he took a part-time job at an ice rink in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.

Photo: AFP-Yonhap

Three days a week, eight hours a day, he rents out skate blades, manages safety, and handles logistics. After closing time, he skates alone on the empty ice.

The opportunity came unexpectedly when Canadian coach Bruno Marcotte noticed Kihara during a Federation selection session. He decided to pair him with Miura, who was then considered a “double skating prodigy” with two consecutive Japanese junior championships.

Despite a nine-year age difference and a 30cm height gap, they gradually built a strong bond. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the duo helped Japan win the silver medal in the team event.

Four years later, they fulfilled their unfinished dream with a historic Olympic gold medal.

After the victory, Kihara said with a choked voice, “I couldn’t have done this without Riku.”