The World Figure Skating Championships, which will be held in Japan for the first time in four years, opened on the 4nd, and in the pair short program, Riki Miura and Ryuichi Kihara took first place with a highly accomplished performance.

The World Figure Skating Championships kicked off on the 22nd at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama City, with the first half of the pairs being short-program.

Affectionately known as "Rikuryu," Miura and Kihara, who won the Grand Prix Final and the Four Continents Championship this season, were third in the final group.

The two decided on a twist lift at the beginning of which Kihara threw Miura up, followed by a three-turn toe loop, and the height and beauty lift that followed received the highest rating of level 3, earning a high workmanship score.

After this, he made sure to make a slow jump of the three-turn Lutz, and the high level of perfection shone through, winning the highest marks in the spins, steps, and death spirals in the second half.

The two finished the short program with a score of 2.3, which was higher than their personal best set at the NHK Cup last November.

It's a good start to win the first Japan-man pair title at the World Championships.

Kihara "I was able to show what I have done in practice"

Kihara showed a satisfied expression, saying, "Since the Four Continents Championship last month, I have been reviewing my training methods and have been practicing tremendously.

In the short program, he commented on the high score of 80 points, which is equal to the medalists at last year's Beijing Olympics, saying, "The people who have scored in the 80 range in the past are at a much higher level than us, but I am happy because I think I can see my feet a little."

Miura "The voice of a customer after a long time will help"

Miura expressed his enthusiasm for the free event, saying, "It gives me strength to be able to hear the voices of the audience for the first time in a long time at the tournament in Japan, and I have come here with the goal of not regretting it, so I just have to enjoy tomorrow."