Japanese figure skater Rika Kihira to miss Beijing Olympics with ankle injury
Rika Kihira. Photo: Pontus Lundahl / Reuters
Japanese figure skater Rika Kihira will miss the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. This is reported by Kyodo News, citing a source familiar with the situation.
The main rival of the Russian skaters did not have time to recover from the injury to her right ankle, which she received in the summer. In this regard, the skater will not be able to take part in the qualifying competitions. Previously, the 19-year-old athlete withdrew from the Grand Prix stages in Canada and Japan.
In September, Kihira moved to Toronto, Canada to train with Brian Orser. The Canadian specialist has trained three Olympic champions – Yuzuru Hanyu, Kim Yong Ah and Gabriel Daleman. The specialist also worked with two-time world champion Evgenia Medvedeva.
Kihira is the winner of the 2018/2019 Grand Prix Final and two-time champion of four continents. The skater also has silver and bronze medals at the 2019 and 2021 World Team Championships.
