On the 24th, the Japanese delegation from the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics held a press conference at a hotel in Tokyo to report on their return and medal achievements. The figure skating pair, known as 'Rikuryu', which consists of Miura Rika and Kihara Ryuichi, made history by winning the country's first gold medal in this category after coming back from a 5th place finish in the short program. Kihara expressed gratitude to those who supported them and reflected on moments where he felt like giving up, but ultimately persevered alongside his partner Rika to achieve their goal.

At the event, Kihara shared a dream of traveling across America in a camper van as a reward for their accomplishment, while Miura expressed her desire to indulge in Japanese cuisine like sushi, as she typically trains in Canada and misses home-cooked meals. The press conference highlighted the significance of their achievement not just for them as athletes but for Japan, as they brought attention and pride back to the nation through their performance.

Overall, the win has sparked excitement among fans and has set a new benchmark for future generations of figure skaters in Japan. The success of Miura and Kihara is expected to inspire more young athletes to pursue their dreams in the field of figure skating, ultimately contributing to the growth and popularity of the sport in Japan.