Emotional Figure Exhibition: Riku and Ryuu's Incident of Forgetting to Close
The exhibition in Milan featured notable performances from Japanese figure skaters, with emotional goodbyes and a few unexpected moments.
The recent figure skating exhibition in Milan, celebrating the Winter Olympics, showcased remarkable performances from Japanese athletes including Kaori Sakamoto, who has announced her retirement after these Games. Sakamoto performed a new routine incorporating her favorite moves from previous competitive programs, and she shared an emotional farewell touching the Olympic rings on the ice. This moment marked the end of her Olympic journey, as she wiped away tears while saying goodbye to the audience.
In a highlight of the exhibition, pair skater Riku Miura experienced a wardrobe malfunction when her zipper was left open at the start of her routine. Thankfully, her partner, Ryuichi Kihara, noticed and calmly assisted her mid-performance by zipping it up. They reflected on their journey from a tough fifth place in the short program to a stunning gold medal victory, with Kihara humorously noting, "Today I was the 'older brother.'" Their teamwork was a testament to their resilience throughout the competition.
Yuma Kagiyama, who earned a silver medal for the second consecutive Olympics, expressed a mix of enjoyment and frustration during the competition, identifying it as a learning opportunity for future events. Other medalists also shared their aspirations, with Shun Sato looking forward to landing a quadruple Axel and Ami Nakai expressing interest in attempting a quadruple jump as well. This exhibition captured not only the athletes' performances but also their goals and the emotional weight of the Olympic experience, fostering a supportive atmosphere among competitors as they bid farewell to this chapter.