Figure Skating Duo "Riku Ryu" Appear on Beauty Magazine Cover
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The figure skating pair nicknamed "Riku Ryu" has drawn widespread attention online after appearing on the cover of a beauty magazine, showing a side of themselves rarely seen in competition.
A skating pair refers to two athletes who perform routines together on the ice, and Riku Ryu is a well-known duo recognized for their performances in figure skating competitions.
For the magazine shoot, the pair presented a noticeably different atmosphere from their usual sporting image, adopting a more fashion-focused look.
Fans and commenters online praised the photos, describing the skaters as looking like "perfect models", a term typically reserved for people whose profession is appearing in fashion photography.
Several comments specifically highlighted the pair's matching outfits, with one fan writing that the coordinated styling looked "really good."
Other reactions compared one of the skaters to an idol, a term in Japan often used for entertainers who are admired for their appearance and charisma, rather than strictly for athletic skill.
The cover quickly became a trending topic on social media, as fans shared and discussed the unfamiliar, glamorous images of the pair.
Because Riku Ryu is primarily known for athletic performances in competitive settings, the shift to a fashion-oriented photoshoot was seen by many as a refreshing change.
The reaction reflects a broader pattern in which athletes who gain strong followings sometimes branch into fashion or lifestyle media, allowing fans to see a different, more stylised side of their public personas.
While details about the specific magazine issue or photoshoot concept were limited, the overwhelmingly positive response suggests the images resonated strongly with the pair's existing fan base online.
Vocabulary7 words
- pair
- two athletes performing together
- competition
- an event where people compete to win
- atmosphere
- the general feeling or mood
- model
- a person who poses for fashion photos professionally
- matching
- styled to look the same
- idol
- a star admired mainly for appearance and charm
- trending
- popular and widely discussed right now
Quiz
Answer key
1. It showed a fashion-focused image different from their usual sporting look 2. Coordinated and matching 3. False
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Discussion questions
- Why do you think fans reacted so strongly to seeing the skaters in a different style?
- Do you think athletes should take part in fashion photoshoots? Why or why not?
- How might appearing in fashion media affect a sports pair's public image?
- Have you ever been surprised to see a familiar public figure in an unexpected role? Describe it.


