Japanese Olympic figure skating champions Miura and Kihara announce engagement

The Japanese pair, affectionately known as "Riku-Ryu" by fans, confirmed their engagement in recent days, marking a significant milestone in their personal relationship. Miura and Kihara had competed together as a pairs team, achieving their pinnacle success at the Olympic Games where they secured the gold medal, cementing their status among Asia's elite figure skaters.

The couple announced their retirement from competitive figure skating in April, bringing to a close a distinguished career in the sport. Their decision to step away from competition came after achieving considerable success at the international level, including their Olympic triumph which garnered widespread attention across the region.

Since retiring from competition, Miura and Kihara have transitioned from their roles as rival athletes to partners in life. The announcement of their engagement has been met with congratulations from the figure skating community and their supporters across Asia.

The pair's retirement and subsequent engagement reflect a new chapter for the celebrated athletes, who have indicated their continued involvement with figure skating in other capacities beyond competitive participation.