Japanese world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara captured the pairs gold medal at Skate America on Saturday, demonstrating resilience despite technical challenges. The victory marks their second Grand Prix gold this season, following their earlier triumph at Grand Prix France.
The reigning world champions, who claimed global titles in both 2023 and 2024, faced unexpected competition from Georgian skaters Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava. The Georgians had surprised the field by winning the short program but experienced multiple errors in their free skate.
Miura and Kihara delivered a composed free skate performance despite struggling with their side-by-side jumps. Their sophisticated program components and artistic maturity earned them the highest free skate score of 141.57 points, resulting in a winning total of 215.99.
The Georgian pair encountered significant difficulties during their free skate, including a fall by Metelkina, a botched jump landing by Berulava, and a completely failed lift element. Their fourth-place free skate score of 116.90 proved sufficient for silver overall with 195.73 points, thanks to their strong short program lead.
Medal Results and Grand Prix Implications
Canadian pair Kelly Ann Laurin and Loucas Ethier secured the bronze medal with a total score of 182.87 points. Their second-place free skate performance earned 121.85 points, demonstrating steady improvement throughout the competition.
Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi 🇯🇵 soared to the top of the podium with a 215.99 score at #GPFigure Skate America.🥇
With Metelkina / Berulava 🇬🇪 landing in second and Laurin / Ethier 🇨🇦 pulling into third.#FigureSkating
pic.twitter.com/H32tyhSAtg
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) November 16, 2025Both the Japanese and Georgian pairs qualified for next month’s Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan. Miura and Kihara maintain their status as favourites for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February, while the Georgians will make their first Grand Prix Final appearance.
Ice Dance Competition Sets Stage for Sunday
American ice dance veterans Madison Chock and Evan Bates lead the rhythm dance competition with 84.77 points. The three-time world champions aim to equal the record for most Skate America titles with their fifth victory.
Chock and Bates have built a substantial 7.35-point advantage over the Canadian duo of Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha. The Americans previously won Skate America in 2014, 2015, 2022, and 2023, seeking to continue their dominant season after winning the Cup of China last month.
Japanese skater Kazuki Tomono maintains his lead heading into the men’s free skate after delivering a polished short program featuring two quadruple jumps. His score of 95.77 gives him a two-point advantage over France’s Kevin Aymoz.
The women’s competition begins Saturday evening with world champion Alysa Liu headlining the field. Liu seeks her first Grand Prix title after returning from a two-year competitive break, following her silver medal performance at the Cup of China.
