Japan's Miura Riku/Kihara Ryuichi withdraw from NHK Trophy due to Kihara's back injury
The defending champions will miss their second Grand Prix event with Kihara's lumbar spondylosis, meaning they will be unable to defend their Final title in Beijing in December.
Figure Skating
Defending figure skating Grand Prix Final pairs champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi have pulled out of next month's NHK Trophy, citing Kihara's ongoing battle with a lower back injury, the Japan Skating Federation announced on Monday (30 June).
Kihara was diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis earlier this month that forced the pair out of last week's Skate America. He had been feeling discomfort in the lower back since August before his condition worsened.
The JSF said the 31-year-old Kihara is not healing fast enough in time for the 24-26 November NHK Trophy in Osaka with no timetable announced for his return. He and Miura won the NHK Trophy last year.
Miura/Kihara's withdrawal from their second Grand Prix assignment effectively means they will not be in Beijing in December to defend their Grand Prix Final title.
Last season, Miura/Kihara became the first Japanese pair to win the Final as well as the world championships.