Japan topped the pair skating segment of the figure skating team event at the Winter Olympics 2026, as Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara delivered a winning performance to place first with 155.55 points. The final was completed as part of the figure skating programme at Milano Cortina 2026, with results contributing directly to overall team standings in one of the Games’ most strategically complex events.
The pair skating final brought together elite duos from five nations, each performing under pressure with team medals on the line. Execution quality, technical difficulty, and program component scores all played decisive roles as margins between teams proved tight.
Japan Set the Standard Through Miura and Kihara
Miura and Kihara’s performance combined stability in the throw jumps, secure side-by-side elements, and confident lifts, allowing Japan to claim the top position in this discipline. Their score of 155.55 reflected strong technical content alongside clean execution, giving Japan a valuable points advantage within the team event format.
The Japanese pair have been central to their nation’s rise in international pair skating, and their ability to deliver in a team setting under Olympic pressure reinforced Japan’s competitive depth across figure skating disciplines.
Georgia Claim Second with Berulava and Metelkina
Georgia secured second place through Luka Berulava and Anastasiia Metelkina, who scored 139.70 points. Their program featured ambitious elements and solid synchronization, keeping them firmly in medal contention for the overall team event.
Berulava and Metelkina’s result marked a significant contribution for Georgia, highlighting the country’s growing presence in pair skating at the Olympic level.
Italy Take Third on Home Ice
Italy’s Sara Conti and Niccolò Macii placed third with 136.61 points, delivering a composed performance in front of home support. Their skate was characterised by clean transitions and controlled lifts, earning Italy crucial points in the team standings.
Competing on Olympic ice in Italy added emotional weight to the performance, and Conti and Macii responded with a disciplined routine that avoided major errors.
United States and Canada Close Behind
The United States finished fourth, with Emily Chan Kam and Dan O’Shea scoring 135.36 points. Their performance kept the American team competitive in the overall standings, with only a narrow gap separating them from the podium places in the pair segment.
Canada followed closely in fifth, as Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud recorded 134.42 points. The Canadian pair delivered a steady skate that prioritised consistency, contributing solidly to Canada’s team event campaign despite missing out on higher placement.
Importance Within the Team Event Format
In the Olympic figure skating team event, each discipline—men’s singles, women’s singles, pair skating, and ice dance—adds points toward a cumulative team total. As a result, outcomes in pair skating can significantly influence medal trajectories.
The relatively close scoring between second and fifth underlined how small execution differences can shape the broader team standings. Clean landings, level attainment on elements, and component scores all carried added importance given the team-based scoring structure.
Broader Implications
Japan’s first-place finish in pair skating strengthened their overall position in the team event, reinforcing their status as a well-rounded figure skating nation. Georgia’s second-place result added momentum to their team campaign, while Italy’s podium finish in this segment energised the host nation’s medal hopes.
For the United States and Canada, the narrow margins left both teams within reach of higher overall placement, keeping pressure high heading into the remaining segments of the team event.
Conclusion
The pair skating final of the figure skating team event at Winter Olympics 2026 delivered a tightly contested contest marked by precision and composure. With Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara leading the field for Japan, the segment played a decisive role in shaping team standings, setting the stage for an intense conclusion to the Olympic figure skating team competition.