Rika Kihira
Refer to caption
Kihira at the 2019 Four Continents
Native name紀平 梨花 (Kihira Rika)
Born (2002-07-21) 21 July 2002
Nishinomiya, Japan
Height1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
Figure skating career
Country Japan
DisciplineWomen's singles
Coach
Skating club
Began skating2007
Competitive2014–present
Highest WS1st (2020–2021)
Medal record
Four Continents Championships
Gold medal – first place 2019 Anaheim Singles
Gold medal – first place 2020 Seoul Singles
Grand Prix Final
Gold medal – first place 2018–19 Vancouver Singles

Rika Kihira (Japanese: 紀平 梨花; born 21 July 2002) is a Japanese figure skater. She is a two-time Four Continents champion (2019, 2020), the 2018 Grand Prix Final champion, a four-time Grand Prix series medalist (2018 NHK Trophy gold, 2018 Internationaux de France gold, 2019 Skate Canada silver, 2019 NHK Trophy silver), a two-time International Challenge Cup champion, and a two-time Japanese national champion (2019, 2020). As of 25 March 2022, Kihira is the twelfth highest ranked women's singles skater in the world by the International Skating Union.

On the junior level, she is the 2016 JGP Slovenia champion, the 2016 JGP Czech Republic silver medalist, the 2017 JGP Latvia silver medalist, and the 2017 Japanese junior national champion.

Kihira is the seventh woman to have landed the triple Axel jump in an International Skating Union competition, the first ever woman to land a triple Axel-triple toe loop combination,[1] the first woman to land eight clean triples in a free skate,[2] the second woman to land four clean triples in the short program,[3] and the third woman to land twelve clean triples in one competition (all the maximum allowed under the Zayak rule).

Personal life

Kihira was born on 21 July 2002 in Nishinomiya, Japan.[4] In December 2020, she announced that she had been accepted to Waseda University's School of Human Sciences and would start attending via correspondence course from spring 2021.[5]

Career

Kihira began learning to skate in 2007.[4] In the 2015–16 season, she competed on the advanced novice level, winning gold at the Triglav Trophy. She was invited to skate in the gala at the 2015 NHK Trophy as the Japanese national novice champion in the same season.

She is coached by Mie Hamada and Yamato Tamura in Takatsuki, Osaka.[4]

According to Hamada, Kihira didn't have any triple jumps when she first came to her, but she still noticed Kihira's high potential in her upper body strength (from gymnastics) and speed while running. Hamada recalled that she was convinced from the first day she saw Kihira skate that she could "master a triple Axel." The first thing Hamada did was teach Kihira how to control her axis while jumping in order to prepare her for triple jumps.[6]

2016–17 season: International junior debut

Kihira made her Junior Grand Prix (JGP) debut in the 2016–17 season. In early September, she won the silver medal in Ostrava, Czech Republic, with a total score 0.08 less than Anastasiia Gubanova of Russia. Later that month, she outscored World junior champion Marin Honda by 15.49 points for the gold in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Kihira landed a triple Axel jump in the free skate, becoming the seventh ladies skater in history to do so. She also became the first female skater ever to land eight clean triples in the free skate (the maximum allowed under the Zayak rule).[7] She qualified to the 2016–17 JGP Final in Marseille, France, where she finished fourth.

2017–18 season: Second JGPF

Kihira began her season by winning a gold medal at the Asian Trophy in Hong Kong. She was able to land a triple Axel in her free skate.[8]

Kihira at the 2017–18 JGP Final.

Kihira was assigned JGP events in Latvia and Italy. In her first event at JGP Riga, Kihira placed sixth in the short program after stepping out of her triple flip and falling on her triple Lutz. After winning the free skate, she finished second overall behind Daria Panenkova.

In her next event at JGP Egna, she won the bronze medal behind Sofia Samodurova and Alena Kostornaia after placing second in the short program and third in the free skate. The results qualified her for her second JGP Final in Nagoya, Japan over Mako Yamashita through a tiebreaker.[9]

At the 2017 JGP Final, she became the first-ever woman to land a triple Axel-triple jump combination in an international competition organized by the International Skating Union. She was the only non-Russian competitor and finished fourth overall, following a popped Axel and an under-rotation on another jump.[10]

Kihira won the gold medal at Junior Nationals. She placed sixth in the short program but rebounded in the free skate with a triple Axel and triple Axel-triple toe loop-double toe loop.[11]

On the senior level, Kihira won the bronze medal at Japanese Nationals after placing fifth in the short program and second in the free skate. As she was age-ineligible to compete as a senior, she was sent to the 2018 World Junior Championships, where she placed eighth.[12]

2018–19 season: Grand Prix Final & Four Continents gold

Making her senior debut, Kihira began the season with a gold medal at the 2018 Ondrej Nepela Trophy, an ISU Challenger Series event. Kihira placed first in the short program, despite falling on her triple Axel. She also placed first in the long program with eight fully rotated triple jumps, including a triple Axel-triple toe loop and a solo triple Axel, and set a free skate world record of 147.37 points.

Kihira at the exhibition gala of the 2018 Internationaux de France.

For her senior Grand Prix debut, Kihira was originally assigned only one event. At 2018 NHK Trophy, Kihira was fifth in the short program after underrotating and falling on her triple Axel again. She placed first in the free skate with a solo triple Axel, a triple Axel-triple toe loop, and eight triple jumps in total, winning the gold medal overall. In doing so, she finished ahead of compatriot and reigning Japanese national champion Satoko Miyahara and 2015 World Champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, who also performed a triple Axel in her free program. She admitted afterward: "When I finished my short program, I didn’t think I would be up here today. The short program motivated me to be good today."[13]

Due to her results at the 2018 NHK Trophy, Kihira was assigned another Grand Prix event. At the Internationaux de France, Kihira singled the triple Axel in the short program, placing third. In the free skate, she underrotated her sole triple Axel attempt but still placed first and captured her second Grand Prix gold medal. Kihira stated that she was glad to have won but was unsatisfied with her performance.[14]

The 2018–19 Grand Prix Final was regarded by many commentators as a contest between Kihira and reigning Olympic champion Alina Zagitova, who had been forced to withdraw from the Ondrej Nepela Trophy earlier due to visa issues.[15] Kihira won the short program with a world record score of 82.51, landing the triple Axel in the short program for the first time that season. She then placed first in the free skate with a score of 150.61 and won the gold medal, despite downgrading and falling on her opening triple Axel.[16]

Kihira entered the 2018 Japanese Championships as a favourite to take the national title, but she struggled with boot problems in the competition and made multiple errors in the short program that, left her in fifth place going into the free skate. She placed first in the free skate, her only mistake being a downgraded Euler in her three-jump combination. However, she won the silver medal overall in front of training mate and four-time national champion Satoko Miyahara. The gold medal went to Kaori Sakamoto.[17]

At the 2019 Four Continents Championships, Kihira initially "hesitated" at including the triple Axel in the short program but chose to do so and singled it. She placed fifth in the short.[18] In the free program, Kihira landed one triple Axel and substituted a double Axel-triple toe loop combination for the second, winning both the free program and the overall championship decisively. She observed: "During this season, I learned how to keep my concentration in my free skating no matter what happens in my short program."[19]

Kihira was one of three Japanese ladies assigned to the 2019 World Championships, held in Saitama, and based on her record that season was widely considered the favourite to win the title. In the short program, she once again singled her triple Axel attempt, leaving her in seventh place and outside of the final group of six skaters.[20] She came second in the free skate, earning a silver small medal, landing a clean triple Axel-triple toe loop and falling on her second triple Axel. In fourth overall, she was 0.31 points behind bronze medalist Evgenia Medvedeva and 1.27 points behind silver medalist Elizabet Tursynbaeva. It was the only podium Kihira missed in the season and the only international competition she did not win.[21]

Kihira concluded the season representing Team Japan at the 2019 World Team Trophy. She landed the triple Axel in the short program for only the second time that season, setting another world record of 83.97. However, Kihira fell twice in the free, once on her opening triple Axel and the other on her triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination, placing fifth. Team Japan won the silver medal overall.[22]

2019–20 season: First national title, second Four Continents gold

Kihira began her season at 2019 CS Autumn Classic International, where she ranked first in both the short program and in the free, finishing in first place overall, and landing all three of her planned triple Axels, albeit with one called underrotated. Kihira stated that she hoped to introduce a quad Salchow into competition later in the season but had declined to attempt it there as she felt her triple Axel was more stable.[23] Although she landed one triple Lutz in her free skate at this event, a persistent ankle problem led her not to attempt any further triple Lutz jumps in competition during the first half of the season.[24]

Her next competition was Skate Canada, where she placed first after a clean short program scoring 81.35.[25] In the free skate, Kihira stepped out of her first triple Axel but had a clean skate after that. She earned 148.98 points in the free skate to score 230.33 overall and finish second overall behind Alexandra Trusova, who landed three quad jumps in her free skate.[26] Kihira stated afterward that Trusova's performance motivated her to work to increase her scoring potential in the future.[27] Competing at the 2019 NHK Trophy, Kihira landed her Axel and combination cleanly but had a poor landing on her triple loop, placing second behind Alena Kostornaia, who also performed a triple Axel and broke Kihira's short program world record.[28] Having also finished second in the free skate, she won a second silver medal and qualified for the Grand Prix Final.[29] Kihira stated afterward that her ankle continued to be a problem after three months, with the possibility that it might be a tendon issue that would require time away from competition to heal.[24]

Competing at the Grand Prix Final, Kihira put her foot down on her triple Axel and fell on her jump combination, consequently placing sixth out of the six skaters in the segment, almost fifteen points behind Kostornaia in first place. Kihira expressed regret over her performance, attributing much of it to discomfort with skating in the evening rather than the morning.[30] In the free skate, Kihira attempted the quad Salchow in competition for the first time, fully rotating the jump but falling. She placed fourth in that segment and rose to fourth place overall. Speaking afterward, Kihira said, "as for the quads, a lot of girls are doing different quads now, and I know I also need to work harder. Of course, I want to first get my quad Salchow consistent, and then maybe I will try quad toe."[31]

Entering the 2019–20 Japanese Championships as the favourite for the title, Kihira placed first in the short program despite stepping out of her triple Axel and losing levels on one of her spins.[32] She won the free skate commandingly, making only a single error when she under-rotated the triple toe loop in her opening jump combination, and took the Japanese national title for the first time ahead of Wakaba Higuchi and Tomoe Kawabata.[33] She indicated that she hoped to reintroduce the triple Lutz into competition for the 2020 World Championships.[34]

In February, Kihira competed at the 2020 Four Continents Championships with countrywomen Higuchi and Kaori Sakamoto. In the short program, she placed first ahead of Bradie Tennell of the United States and training mate You Young of South Korea. She included the triple Lutz for the first time since the Autumn Classic.[35][36] In the free skate, she popped her first triple Axel attempt to a single, the first time she had done so during that season, but performed the rest of the program cleanly and improvised an additional triple-triple combination. She, therefore, still performed eight triple jumps and, for the first time in international competition, landed twelve clean triple jumps in one competition. She won the free skate and the overall competition with a new season's best-combined total (232.34) ahead of You and Tennell. She became the first singles skater, male or female, to win consecutive Four Continents titles.[37] She then won the 2020 International Challenge Cup ahead of compatriot Yuhana Yokoi. She once again scored over 230 points in the combined total, making her one of only two ladies skaters to score over 200 points in every competition they entered in both the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons, along with Alexandra Trusova of Russia.

Kihira was scheduled to compete at the 2020 World Championships in Montreal, but the event was cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.[38] In June, Kihira announced that she would add Brian Orser, the coach of Olympic champions Kim Yuna and Yuzuru Hanyu, to her coaching team, and begin training at the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club as soon as travel restrictions allowed.[39] She stated that the motivation behind this change was a desire to better her technique and master a greater range of quadruple jumps.[40] However, the persistence of travel restrictions through July required her to abandon plans to have programs choreographed by Lori Nichol in Toronto.[41] She subsequently spent time at Stephane Lambiel's training camp in Switzerland.[42]

2020–21 season: First quad, second national title

Continuing to train in Champéry under Lambiel rather than go to Canada or return to Japan, Kihira was correspondingly assigned to compete at the 2020 Internationaux de France when the ISU assigned skaters to compete at one event apiece for the 2020–21 Grand Prix.[43] In October, her ISU bio formally listed Lambiel as one of her coaches, with the other being Hamada.[44] The Internationaux was subsequently cancelled as a result of the pandemic.[45]

Kihira returned to Japan to compete at the 2020–21 Japan Championships, where she was considered the heavy favourite to win. The possibility of her again attempting the quad Salchow in competition was much-discussed in advance of the event. Kihira said that the decision to attempt it in the free skate would depend on how the short program went.[46] She won the short program despite a minor error on the second part of her jump combination and a lost spin level, ending the segment with a lead of 7.48 points over second-place Kaori Sakamoto.[47] Kihira opened her free program by successfully landing a quad Salchow. She went on to underrotate her only triple Axel attempt in the free and did not attempt a triple Lutz, but won the segment and the gold medal overall ahead of former champions Sakamoto and Satoko Miyahara. Of the quad, she said afterward that "I'd wanted to do it before, but this time I pushed any nerves and any extraneous thoughts out of my mind and just focused on an image of me nailing it."[48]

Kihira was chosen to represent Japan at the 2021 World Championships, where she was rated as a contender for the title alongside the top Russian skaters.[49] She placed second in the short program after her triple Axel and toe loop were a quarter of a rotation short.[50] In the free skate, Kihira doubled her first attempt at a triple Axel, fell on an underrotated second attempt, and underrotated two other jumps, finishing ninth in that segment and dropping to seventh place overall.[51] Her placement, combined with that of Sakamoto, who finished above her in sixth, qualified three ladies' berths for Japan to the 2022 Winter Olympics.[52]

Subsequently, Kihira was announced as part of the Japanese team for the 2021 World Team Trophy.[53] She did not plan to attempt the quad Salchow jump due to suffering from a lower-back strain and also returned to her previous free skate music for the competition.[54] Kihira placed fourth in the short program and fifth in the free skate at the Trophy, while Team Japan won the bronze medal.[55][56][57]

2021–22 season: Coaching change, hiatus

Kihira injured her right ankle in July, diagnosed as an osteochondral problem.[58] With the Canadian border reopening to international travelers on September 7, 2021, Kihira's management announced on September 8 that she would be leaving her Swiss training base with Lambiel to train in Toronto under Brian Orser.[59]

Kihira withdrew from the 2021 CS Asian Open Trophy, her first assigned competition of the season, and was replaced by Mai Mihara. Continuing to rehabilitate her ankle, she withdrew from the 2021 Skate Canada International, her first Grand Prix assignment, and was again replaced by Mihara.[58] She later withdrew from 2021 NHK Trophy as well, with Mana Kawabe being called up to replace her.[60]

Kihira withdrew from the 2021–22 Japan Championships due to a talus stress fracture in her right foot, first discovered in July 2021.[61] She expressed the intention to concentrate on treatment as per doctors' recommendations. As a result, Kihira could not qualify for a spot for the Japanese Olympic team, as she did not meet the criteria for an injury bye, which required a top three finish at a World Championships, her highest finish to date being fourth at the 2019 World Championships.[62]

2022–23 season

Continuing to nurse an injury, Kihira accepted an invitation to participate in the Japan Open, saying that she was "not pushing it right now and saving myself in practice but decided to enter anyway."[63] Competing with lessened jump content, she was fifth among six female competitors, scoring 113.44. Kihira was pleased with the result, saying she was "getting my stamina back quite a bit" and that she hoped to be fully recovered" for the Grand Prix.[64]

Following the Japan Open, Kihira was able to return to the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club to train with coach Brian Orser in person for three weeks in advance of the 2022 Skate Canada International. Orser advised her that this would be "just a start" in light of her continued injury.[65] She placed fifth at that event while not attempting any Lutz or flip jumps.[66] Kihira said afterward that she was "making progress, little by little, and my goal is to get all my triples back."[67] At her second event, the 2022 Grand Prix of Espoo, Kihira finished sixth in the short program. In the free skate, she successfully reintroduced the triple flip, finishing fourth in that segment and fourth overall, 4.98 points behind bronze medalist Mana Kawabe. She said afterward it was a performance "that will give me confidence."[68]

Kihira placed eleventh in the short program at the 2022–23 Japan Championships, after performing only a triple-double jump combination and underrotating two jumps.[69] She was eighth in the free skate, but remained eleventh overall.[70][71]

2023–24 season

Kihira had entered Skate Canada, but was unable to fully recover from her injury and was unable to participate. She will prioritize her treatment with her sights set on the 2026 Olympics.

Skating technique

Kihira is regarded as a complete skater for her combination of technical and artistic excellence. Analysts have praised the execution and quality of her jumps, noting their textbook, efficient technique and exceptional distance, rotation speed, rhythm, effortlessness, flow, landing quality, and body position.[72][73][74][75][76] Her triple Axel and triple Lutz have received GOE as high as +3.09 and +2.36, respectively.[77][78] She has notably never received an edge call in her junior or senior career since both her Lutz and Flip have correct take-off edges.[79]

In addition to executing her jumps with high GOE scores, Kihira is also known for landing challenging and difficult jumps. She is the first female skater to land eight fully rotated triples in a program. She has landed triple Axels and triple Axel-triple toe loops in international competition, being the first and now one of two ladies who has achieved the latter. She was the youngest lady to land the triple Axel in an ISU-sanctioned competition until Alysa Liu. She has also landed triple Axels in a three-part combination in domestic competition. She is training the quad toe loop and quad Salchow. She first attempted the quad Salchow in competition at the 2019–20 Grand Prix Final during her free skate, fully rotating but falling on the jump. Her second attempt in competition, at the 2020-21 Japanese National Championships, was landed cleanly with positive grades of execution.

Not only a strong technician known for the quality of her jumps, but she has also been praised for her mature artistry, particularly her overall skating skills and quality of movement, with analysts noting her edge work, multi-directional skating, speed/acceleration, ice coverage, flow, upper body carriage, and extension.[80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87]

Programs

Kihira at the 2016–17 JGP Final.
Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2023–2024
[88]		 Titanic:
  • An Ocean of Memories
  • Distant Memories
  • A Building Panic
  • Rose
  • Unable to Stay, Unwilling to Leave
    by James Horner
    choreo. by David Wilson
2022–2023
[89]
2021–2022
[90]
2020–2021
[91][92]
  • International Angel of Peace

choreo. by Tom Dickson
2019–2020
[93]

International Angel of Peace:
2018–2019
[94]
2017–2018
[96][97]
2016–2017
[4]
2015–2016

Records and achievements

World record scores

Kihira has set three world record scores under the new +5 / -5 GOE (Grade of Execution) system.

Senior ladies' short program records
Date Score Event Note
11 April 2019 83.97 2019 World Team Trophy Record was broken by Alena Kostornaia of Russia at the 2019 NHK Trophy.
6 December 2018 82.51 2018–19 Grand Prix Final
Senior ladies' free skating records
Date Score Event Note
22 September 2018 147.37 2018 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy Record was broken by Alina Zagitova of Russia at the 2018 CS Nebelhorn Trophy.

Competitive highlights

Kihira (center) with Mai Mihara (left) and Bradie Tennell (right) at the 2018 Internationaux de France podium.

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

International[98]
Event 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18 18–19 19–20 20–21 21–22 22–23 23–24
Worlds4thC7th
Four Continents1st1st
GP Final1st4th
GP Finland4th
GP France1stC
GP NHK Trophy1st2ndWD
GP Skate Canada2ndWD5thWD
CS Autumn Classic1st
CS Ondrej Nepela1st
CS Asian OpenWD
Challenge Cup1st1st
PrintempsWD
International: Junior[98]
Junior Worlds8th
JGP Final4th4th
JGP Czech Republic2nd
JGP Italy3rd
JGP Latvia2nd
JGP Slovenia1st
Asian Trophy1st
International: Advanced novice
Asian Trophy5th
Triglav Trophy1st
National[99][100]
Japan3rd2nd1st1stWD11th
Japan Junior11th11th1st
Japan Novice11th A1st A
Western Sect.3rd J1st J1st
Chubu Reg.6th
Kiki Reg.9th B3rd A1st A1st J
Team events
World Team Trophy2nd T
4th P		3rd T
4th P
Japan Open2nd T
3rd P		1st T
5th P
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew; C = Event cancelled
Levels: A = Novice A; B = Novice B; J = Junior
T = Team result; P = Personal result. Medals awarded for team result only.

Detailed results

ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE system [101]
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS233.122018–19 Grand Prix Final
Short program TSS83.972019 World Team Trophy
TES48.172019 World Team Trophy
PCS35.802019 World Team Trophy
Free skating TSS154.722018 NHK Trophy
TES87.172018 NHK Trophy
PCS72.522019 NHK Trophy
ISU personal best scores in the +3/-3 GOE system [101]
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS194.242016 JGP Slovenia
Short program TSS66.822017–18 JGP Final
TES38.812016 JPG Czech Republic
PCS28.862018 Junior Worlds
Free skating TSS128.312016 JGP Slovenia
TES71.742016 JGP Slovenia
PCS58.512017–18 JGP Final

Senior level

Kihira performing a haircutter spin at the 2018 Internationaux de France.
  • Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships.
  • At team events, medals are awarded for team results only.
2023–2024 season
Date Event SP FS Total
October 27–29, 2023 2023 Skate Canada International WD
2022–23 season
Date Event SP FS Total
December 21–25, 2022 2022–23 Japan Championships 11
60.43		 8
128.19		 11
188.62
November 25–27, 2022 2022 Grand Prix of Espoo 6
64.07		 4
128.36		 4
192.43
October 28–30, 2022 2022 Skate Canada International 8
59.27		 3
125.06		 5
184.33
October 8, 2022 2022 Japan Open – 5th
113.44		 1T
2020–21 season
Date Event SP FS Total
15–18 April 2021 2021 World Team Trophy 4
69.74		 5
132.39		 3T/4P
202.13
22–28 March 2021 2021 World Championships 2
79.08		 9
126.62		 7
205.70
23–27 December 2020 2020–21 Japan Championships 1
79.34		 1
154.90		 1
234.24
2019–20 season
Date Event SP FS Total
20–23 February 2020 2020 Challenge Cup 1
74.27		 1
156.38		 1
230.65
4–9 February 2020 2020 Four Continents Championships 1
81.18		 1
151.16		 1
232.34
18–22 December 2019 2019–20 Japan Championships 1
73.98		 1
155.22		 1
229.20
5–8 December 2019 2019–20 Grand Prix Final 6
70.71		 4
145.76		 4
216.47
22–24 November 2019 2019 NHK Trophy 2
79.89		 2
151.95		 2
231.84
25–27 October 2019 2019 Skate Canada International 1
81.35		 2
148.98		 2
230.33
5 October 2019 2019 Japan Open – 3
144.76		 2T
12–14 September 2019 2019 Autumn Classic International 1
78.18		 1
145.98		 1
224.16
2018–19 season
Date Event SP FS Total
11–14 April 2019 2019 World Team Trophy 1
83.97		 5
138.37		 2T/4P
222.34
18–24 March 2019 2019 World Championships 7
70.90		 2
152.59		 4
223.49
21–24 February 2019 2019 Challenge Cup 2
66.44		 1
141.90		 1
208.34
7–10 February 2019 2019 Four Continents Championships 5
68.85		 1
153.14		 1
221.99
20–24 December 2018 2018–19 Japan Championships 5
68.75		 1
155.01		 2
223.76
6–9 December 2018 2018–19 Grand Prix Final 1
82.51		 1
150.61		 1
233.12
23–25 November 2018 2018 Internationaux de France 2
67.64		 1
138.28		 1
205.92
9–11 November 2018 2018 NHK Trophy 5
69.59		 1
154.72		 1
224.31
19–22 September 2018 2018 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy 1
70.79		 1
147.37		 1
218.16

Junior level

Kihira at the 2018 World Junior Championships.
Kihira at the 2016–17 JGP Final.
2017–18 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
5–11 March 2018 2018 World Junior Championships Junior 4
63.74		 9
111.51		 8
175.25
21–24 December 2017 2017–18 Japan Championships Senior 5
66.74		 2
141.29		 3
208.03
7–10 December 2017 2017−18 JGP Final Junior 4
66.82		 4
125.63		 4
192.45
24–26 November 2017 2017–18 Japan Junior Championships Junior 6
57.89		 1
135.57		 1
193.46
11–14 October 2017 2017 JGP Italy Junior 2
66.72		 3
119.09		 3
185.81
6–9 September 2017 2017 JGP Latvia Junior 6
55.05		 1
125.41		 2
180.46
2–5 August 2017 2017 Asian Open Trophy Junior 1
60.26		 1
122.80		 1
183.06
2016–17 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
8–11 December 2016 2016−17 JGP Final Junior 5
54.78		 3
120.38		 4
175.16
18–20 November 2016 2016–17 Japan Junior Championships Junior 4
58.86		 14
94.87		 11
153.73
21–25 September 2016 2016 JGP Slovenia Junior 2
65.93		 1
128.31		 1
194.24
31 August – 3 September 2016 2016 JGP Czech Republic Junior 1
66.78		 2
118.73		 2
185.51

References

  1. ↑ "ISU 2018 NHK Trophy Event Protocol pdf" (PDF).
  2. ↑ "ISU JGP Ljubljana 2016". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2018". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Rika KIHIRA: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ↑ "紀平梨花、早大進学"先輩"羽生と同じ道で北京金へ" [Rika Kihira aims for Beijing gold on same path as Waseda "senpai" Yuzuru Hanyu]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 28 December 2020.
  6. ↑ Berlot, Jean-Cristophe (3 December 2018). "New Japanese phenom Rika Kihira more than a new Miss Triple Axel". NBC Sports.
  7. ↑ "ISU JGP Ljubljana 2016 Junior Ladies Free Skating: Judges Details Per Skater" (PDF). International Skating Union. 24 September 2016.
  8. ↑ "Asian Figure Skating Trophy 2016 Junior Ladies Free Skating: Judges Details Per Skater" (PDF). Hong Kong Skating Union. 5 August 2017.
  9. ↑ "ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2017/2018 Junior Ladies Final Results". International Skating Union. 14 October 2017.
  10. ↑ Slater, Paula (9 December 2017). "Alexandra Trusova leads Russian sweep at Junior Grand Prix Final". Golden Skate.
  11. ↑ Gallagher, Jack (26 November 2017). "Rika Kihira roars back to win Japan Junior Championship with two triple Axels". The Japan Times.
  12. ↑ Slater, Paula (24 December 2017). "Miyahara captures fourth national title in Tokyo". Golden Skate.
  13. ↑ Mammoser, Ted (10 November 2018). "Kihira captures gold at NHK Trophy after two triple Axels". Golden Skate.
  14. ↑ Slater, Paula (24 November 2018). "Japan's Kihira wins second Grand Prix gold in Grenoble". Golden Skate.
  15. ↑ Okada, Noriko (28 November 2018). "Skating's rising star Kihira takes on Zagitova". NHK World.
  16. ↑ Flett, Ted (9 December 2018). "Japan's Rika Kihira reigns in Vancouver". Golden Skate.
  17. ↑ "Sakamoto shakes it up at Japanese Nationals; win's first title". Golden Skate. 23 December 2018.
  18. ↑ Slater, Paula (7 February 2019). "Bradie Tennell takes slight lead in Anaheim". Golden Skate.
  19. ↑ Slater, Paula (9 February 2019). "Kihira captures gold in Anaheim in debut at Four Continents". Golden Skate.
  20. ↑ Slater, Paula (20 March 2019). "Zagitova after Worlds short program: 'It was a good performance'". Golden Skate.
  21. ↑ Slater, Paula (22 March 2019). "Zagitova pounces on World gold in Saitama". Golden Skate.
  22. ↑ Slater, Paula (13 April 2019). "Team USA wins fourth World Team Trophy gold". Golden Skate.
  23. ↑ Jiwani, Rory (13 September 2019). "RIKA KIHIRA TAKES AUTUMN CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL VICTORY". Olympic Channel.
  24. 1 2 "紀平梨花はいかにロシア勢と戦うのか？「一日でも休むと危ない」胸に抱く切実な危機感" [How does Kihira Rika fight against Russians? "It is dangerous to rest even a day"] (in Japanese). Yahoo Japan. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  25. ↑ Slater, Paula (26 October 2019). "Japan's Rika Kihira grabs lead at 2019 Skate Canada". Golden Skate.
  26. ↑ Slater, Paula (27 October 2019). "Russia's Trusova snags gold in Grand Prix debut at 2019 Skate Canada". Golden Skate.
  27. ↑ Griffiths, Rachel (26 October 2019). "Alexandra Trusova lands three quadruple jumps to win Skate Canada". Olympic Channel.
  28. ↑ Slater, Paula (22 November 2019). "Kostornaia sets new record at 2019 NHK Trophy". Golden Skate.
  29. ↑ Slater, Paula (23 November 2019). "Kostornaia wins second consecutive Grand Prix gold in Sapporo". Golden Skate.
  30. ↑ Slater, Paula (6 December 2019). "Kostornaia leads Russian sweep after Ladies Short Program in Torino". Golden Skate.
  31. ↑ Slater, Paula (8 December 2019). "Alena Kostornaia leads Russian sweep for Ladies' gold in Torino". Golden Skate.
  32. ↑ Slater, Paula (19 December 2019). "Rika Kihira leads ladies at Japanese Nationals". Golden Skate.
  33. ↑ Slater, Paula (21 December 2019). "Rika Kihira claims first Japanese National title". Golden Skate.
  34. ↑ Gallagher, Jack (21 December 2019). "Rika Kihira displays confidence, elegance en route to first senior national title". Golden Skate.
  35. ↑ Feb 6, A. P.; ET, 2020 at 8:46a (6 February 2020). "Defending champ Rika Kihira leads at Four Continents". FOX Sports. Retrieved 9 February 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  36. ↑ Slater, Paula (6 February 2020). "Japan's Kihira leads ladies at Four Continents". Golden Skate.
  37. ↑ Slater, Paula (8 February 2020). "Kihira defends title at Four Continents". Golden Skate.
  38. ↑ Ewing, Lori (11 March 2020). "World figure skating championships cancelled in Montreal". CBC Sports.
  39. ↑ Browne, Ken (13 June 2020). "Kihira Rika to add Hanyu's mentor Brian Orser as second coach". Olympic Channel.
  40. ↑ "Figure skating: Rika Kihira to add Yuzuru Hanyu's coach Brian Orser".
  41. ↑ "【フィギュア】バースデー独占告白！ 紀平梨花が語った「浅田真央さん」と「18歳の願い」" [Birthday exclusive confession! "Mao Asada" and "18-year-old wish" that Rika Kihira talked about] (in Japanese). Yahoo Japan.
  42. ↑ The Skating School [@SkatingSchoolCH] (23 July 2020). "@DenissVasiljevs, Koshiro Shimada, Alexia Paganini, @rika_kihira and others were following Peter Grütter's master class on Skating Skills this morning! #Camp3S" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  43. ↑ The Skating School [@SkatingSchoolCH] (3 October 2020). "Grenoble, here they come! Flag of France #GPFigure" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  44. ↑ "Rika KIHIRA: 2019/2020 (coach)". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  45. ↑ "Grand Prix of France figure skating event canceled due to coronavirus". Olympic Channel. 20 October 2020.
  46. ↑ McCarvel, Nick (23 December 2020). "Hanyu, Uno, Kihira and more: Stars headline Japanese nationals in Nagano". Olympic Channel.
  47. ↑ Slater, Paula (25 December 2020). "Rika Kihira takes lead to defend her crown at Japanese Nationals". Golden Skate.
  48. ↑ "Figure skating: Rika Kihira nails quad, seizes 2nd straight national title". Kyodo News. 27 December 2020.
  49. ↑ Flade, Tatjana (18 March 2021). "Quad and Triple Axel Battle Ahead for Ladies in Stockholm". Golden Skate.
  50. ↑ Slater, Paula (24 March 2021). "World debutant Shcherbakova delivers in Stockholm". Golden Skate.
  51. ↑ Slater, Paula (26 March 2021). "Anna Shcherbakova takes world title in FSR sweep". Golden Skate.
  52. ↑ "Communication No. 2388". International Skating Union. 1 April 2021.
  53. ↑ Binner, Andrew (29 March 2021). "Five newly crowned world champions confirmed for star-studded line-up at 2021 World Team Trophy". Olympic Channel.
  54. ↑ "No quadruple axel for Hanyu Yuzuru at World Team Trophy, Kihira Rika suffers injury". Olympic Channel. 14 April 2021.
  55. ↑ Slater, Paula (15 April 2021). "2021 World Team Trophy: Day 1". Golden Skate.
  56. ↑ Slater, Paula (16 April 2021). "2021 World Team Trophy: Day 2". Golden Skate.
  57. ↑ Slater, Paula (17 April 2021). "2021 World Team Trophy: Day 3". Golden Skate.
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  61. ↑ "第 90 回全日本フィギュアスケート選手権大会 紀平梨花選手の欠場について" (PDF). Japanese Skating Federation. 22 December 2021.
  62. ↑ "World number three Kihira to miss Beijing Olympics - reports". Reuters. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  63. ↑ Kano, Shintaro (7 October 2022). "Japan Open - Uno Shoma in awe of 'Quad God' Ilia Malinin". Olympic Channel.
  64. ↑ "Shoma Uno and Kaori Sakamoto lead host to Japan Open win". The Japan Times. 9 October 2022.
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  66. ↑ McCarvel, Nick. "In Grand Prix debut, Japan's Watanabe Rinka stuns for Skate Canada title". Olympic Channel. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
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  68. ↑ Slater, Paula (26 November 2022). "Japan's Mai Mihara leaps to gold in Espoo". Golden Skate.
  69. ↑ Gallagher, Jack (22 December 2022). "Kaori Sakamoto Seizes Lead after Short Program at Japan Championships". Japan Forward.
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  71. ↑ Gallagher, Jack (24 December 2022). "Kaori Sakamoto Captures Third National Title at Japan Championships". Japan Forward.
  72. ↑ Synn, Yinha (23 March 2020). "中野友加里が語る女子４回転時代の 技術。「次元が違うジャンプ」とは". Sportiva.
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  76. ↑ "Skating's rising star takes on Zagitova". 27 November 2018.
  77. ↑ GPJPN2018 NHK Trophy: Ladies Free Skating: Judges Details per Skater (PDF)
  78. ↑ ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2018: Ladies Short Program Judges: Details Per Skater (PDF)
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  92. ↑ "Rika KIHIRA: 2020/2021 (2nd)". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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  100. ↑ "|Japan Skating Federation Official Results & Data Site|". www.jsfresults.com. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
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