Kana Muramoto & Daisuke Takahashi | Page 31 | Golden Skate

Kana Muramoto & Daisuke Takahashi

Sorry for having not posted for some time. I've been so busy because March is the end of a fiscal year in Japan.
I got to watch FD at Saitama Super Arena, and it wasn't good for your heart! The atmosphere got so intense while Kana and Dai were on the ice, but the audience was also very respectable to other skaters.
POTO was a very difficult program with both step sequences placed in the second half and packed with transitions, but they finally skated it clean! :clap: I could tell Dai's skating improved a lot since Nationals when they entered OFT. The performance was so beautiful and emotional from the beginning to the end.
Dai has been asked about his future plan by the Japanese media a lot, and did not deny that he wants to go to Milan, but also said his will alone won't be enough considering his age and right knee.

They have been trying new physical training since Worlds. I think they gained new confidence and are motivated than ever.
I will go to Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium this Friday to see FD one more time :love:
 
Thanks mike! I am glad you mentioned the difficulty of their Phantom program.
A lot of their critics overlook that. Marina could have given them an easier program knowing Dai's limitations due to being a newbie and the health issues with his knee but
she didn't. It was glorious to see POTH performed to the best of their ability
and to receive a PB score for their hard work. You were so lucky to witness it in person!
 
mikeko666 said:
Sorry for having not posted for some time. I've been so busy because March is the end of a fiscal year in Japan.
I got to watch FD at Saitama Super Arena, and it wasn't good for your heart! The atmosphere got so intense while Kana and Dai were on the ice, but the audience was also very respectable to other skaters.
POTO was a very difficult program with both step sequences placed in the second half and packed with transitions, but they finally skated it clean! :clap: I could tell Dai's skating improved a lot since Nationals when they entered OFT. The performance was so beautiful and emotional from the beginning to the end.
Dai has been asked about his future plan by the Japanese media a lot, and did not deny that he wants to go to Milan, but also said his will alone won't be enough considering his age and right knee.

They have been trying new physical training since Worlds. I think they gained new confidence and are motivated than ever.
I will go to Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium this Friday to see FD one more time :love:
Click to expand...


Thanks for the report, mikeko. I’m sure the atmosphere must have been wonderful. On tv it felt like the audience was not just respectful, but enthusiastic throughout all events and cheering for everyone, no matter the country.

Have fun at the WTT! :)

__________________________


Comments after today’s practice session:

https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASR4D55LKR4DUTQP002.html


Machine translation:

Daisuke Takahashi to perform Phantom of the Opera at the place of his memories for the first time in 16 years.

Compiled by Yushi Shimizu 12 Apr 2023, 16:09

The World Team Trophy will open on 13 April. On the 12th, the day before, the athletes got a feel for the ice at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, the venue of the competition. The ice dance team of Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi (Kansai University) carefully adjusted their steps and lifts of the Rhythm Dance (RD) and the Free Dance.

The main exchanges with the press after practice were as follows.


--It's been about two weeks since the World Championships ended. How have you spent your time so far?

Muramoto: "Well, we stayed in Japan and practised, but Coach Marina (Zueva) went back to the USA, so she gave us a training plan and we practised every day according to the plan.

Takahashi: "That's right. But it was really just the two of us, so it was quite hard in terms of motivation, but finally, I feel like this day has arrived.


--What are your thoughts on the final competition of the season?

Muramoto: "The World Championships was a really great competition, so we really practised what we could do and came to the rink to see how we would spend the next two weeks before the World Team Trophy. Competing as a team is something that you don't get at other competitions, and the Japanese team is full of top talent, so we hope to do our best so that ice dance can contribute as much as possible."

Takahashi: "Yes, that's right. I think it's really difficult for ice dance to be at the top, but I hope we can contribute as much as possible."


-- If Japan wins gold at the WTT, it would be the third time after 2012 when Takahashi competed in men's singles and 2017 when Muramoto competed in ice dance.

Takahashi: "It seems like they both were won when we were team captains."


-- "It seems so, right?

Takahashi: "Too long ago (laughs). I'm the oldest, though."

Muramoto: "That's right. We are the oldest team (laughs).

Takahashi: "We'll do our best on the ice."


--Takahashi-san, what do you think of the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium?

Takahashi: "The first time I won a World Championship medal (silver in men's singles at the 2007 World Championships) was at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, and that was also with Phantom of the Opera, so I didn't expect to come back to Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium after 16 years, and to skate Phantom of the Opera again. I didn't expect it, I think it's a miracle, but I hope I can give a performance that will make you think that there is a connection between these events. I wasn't 100% at the World Championships [due to the mistake in the RD]. I hope I can put together a good performance (in RD and free skate)."


-What are you looking forward to in the team competition?

Muramoto: "What am I looking forward to: ....... Eh, what is it?"

Takahashi: "I always look forward to seeing how the other teams make their 'do-you-do' faces.

Muramoto: "I'm really looking forward to the different ways of raising excitement in each country, decorating the booths and so on."

Takahashi: "We didn't have a coach. I thought Nagamitsu-sensei might refuse, but I asked her if she would stand in, and she said she would be happy to do so. So we’re doing it together. I've changed disciplines, but I'm very happy to be able to compete together like this."


--After gaining confidence at the World Championships, you are now going to compete in the World Team Trophy. Have your feelings changed?

Muramoto: "After the World Championships, we've been training for the past two weeks with a lot of confidence, and I've really enjoyed it. I have no worries, I have the savings from the World Championships, so I think I'll be able to enjoy the competition.

Takahashi: "I feel like, in a good way, I've got a lot of power, and the atmosphere is good. I feel like I'm skating with my heart and it's reflected in my body, so I'm practising with a good feeling.
Click to expand...








Go Team Japan! :cheer2::cheer:

Looking forward to one last round of Conga tomorrow. 💃🕺


 
Last edited:
Dreamer57 said:
BEST Conga ever!!

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be youtu.be
Click to expand...

Thank you! Unfortunately, we can't watch it in Japan.
For those who live in countries where the ISU official videos are geo-blocked:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be youtu.be
 
Congrats to Kana and Dai for delivering yet another clean and beautiful PotO and scoring a new PB of 116.63! :clap: :points:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

Please continue next season. :pray:

______________________
 
A nicely written article by sports writer Dan Orlowitz for Japan Times about KanaDai's positive impact on the visibility of/interest in ice dance in Japan:

www.japantimes.co.jp

Charismatic showman Daisuke Takahashi raises ice dancing's profile in Japan

Daisuke Takahashi has thrilled figure skating fans with his showmanship alongside partner Kana Muramoto.
www.japantimes.co.jp www.japantimes.co.jp


Kana-chan and Dai-chan in high spirits after the FD 🥰:

www.instagram.com

日本スケート連盟 on Instagram: "#かなだい フリーダンスを終えて👍 #WTTfigure #フィギュアスケート #村元哉中 #高橋大輔"

2,076 Likes, 23 Comments - 日本スケート連盟 (@skatingjapan) on Instagram: "#かなだい フリーダンスを終えて👍 #WTTfigure #フィギュアスケート #村元..."
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com





"I think it was a great performance for us. I'm very happy! It was a happy four minutes.
Our performance is over, but we will use all the energy we have left to support the team!"
Click to expand...



Cheering for their teammates in the K&C :hap10: :laugh: :

www.instagram.com

日本スケート連盟 on Instagram: "🇯🇵#坂本花織 チームキャプテンの応援📣 #WTTfigure #フィギュアスケート"

1,768 Likes, 7 Comments - 日本スケート連盟 (@skatingjapan) on Instagram: "🇯🇵#坂本花織 チームキャプテンの応援📣 #WTTfigure #フィギュアスケー..."
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com

www.instagram.com

日本スケート連盟 on Instagram: "🇯🇵#三原舞依 選手の応援📣 #WTTfigure #フィギュアスケート"

1,590 Likes, 14 Comments - 日本スケート連盟 (@skatingjapan) on Instagram: "🇯🇵#三原舞依 選手の応援📣 #WTTfigure #フィギュアスケート"
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com

www.instagram.com

日本スケート連盟 on Instagram: "女子シングル ショートプログラム #坂本花織 選手 #三原舞依 選手 日本チーム🇯🇵の応援席 #WTTfigure #フィギュアスケート"

2,681 Likes, 8 Comments - 日本スケート連盟 (@skatingjapan) on Instagram: "女子シングル ショートプログラム #坂本花織 選手 #三原舞依 選手 日本�..."
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
 
So much is happening lately, it’s hard to keep up!



Kirsten: I wanna mention Kana and Daisuke. Their free especially I thought…we’ve seen them be amazing and have lots of potential, but we’ve also seen them make a lot of mistakes and I don’t know how much of that comes from changing disciplines, especially such a huge change. Like singles to pairs is one thing…very difficult, but singles to ice dance is a totally different realm and of course Daisuke was pretty much a solo ice dancer when he did free skate anyway, but I don’t know if it comes from that or from still learning each other or dealing with the pressure of competition. But it was really nice to see, especially after their Four Continents free dance, to have this moment at home and for sure he’s had many moments at home, but maybe the first or the biggest in ice dance and achieving a huge personal best score…that was fun to watch for me.

[…]

Anna: As in the preview I wanted them to get in whatever spot would convince them to keep going. I was like, yes, I want them to have this wonderful moment and also wanted them to fuel to…I hope that they decide…in the past they’ve said that it’s kind of just how ever long he wants to keep going and I really hope he wants to keep pushing, because he keeps getting better.

Kirsten: He really is improving so much.
Click to expand...



  • The hosts of “This week in skating” were also taken with Kana and Dai at Worlds and expressed their hope that they two would continue (episode from March 27, 2023 / timestamp: 01:05:30):

    https://www.thisweekinskating.com/episodes/

Daphne: “We have to talk about how incredible he is now as a dancer, like going from singles to compete in ice dance. I wish he had started it sooner, because I think…I’m not sure how long he’s going to stay in it, because he’s 37, but they have accomplished a lot. I mean 11th…I was hoping for them to maybe break into the top 10, so they could get two spots for Japan. But it was fantastic to see that result for them and also to see the crowd’s reaction at home. I mean Takahashi is used to that from his singles days, so this had to be a little bit different.”

[...]

Gina: “I think his personality has come more alive as an ice dancer…Daisuke…I don’t remember him just being so…I mean he was happy as a singles skater, I’m not saying he wasn’t, but he just seems to really enjoy ice dance and it’s so contagious. Cause watching him you just get so excited and happy for them, so I was glad they had a moment. Yeah, I wish they had made it into the top 10, so that Japan could have gotten two spots, because we know there are two teams in Japan, but hopefully we’ll continue to see Kana and Daisuke. If Deanna can keep going at 39 in pairs, Daisuke can keep going in dance at 37. I think they can push each other to see who can go the furthest and the longest. But yeah, I really enjoyed that.”
Click to expand...





  • And then there’s these exciting news: The Hyoen twitter account as well as the Hyoen website were updated yesterday with “See you next year” – I hope (and think it’s very likely) that this is about a new production scheduled for 2024! I had a feeling that Hyoen would be back as soon as the covid restrictions are lifted in Japan.

    https://twitter.com/luxe_hyoen/status/1651073939899318272

    https://hyoen.jp/






 
Last edited:
Kana and Dai have announced their retirement from competitive skating 😭💔





Transcript of their message:

www.nikkansports.com

【報告全文】フィギュア「かなだい」引退　高橋大輔「このタイミング」村元哉中「２人で話した」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

フィギュアスケートのアイスダンスで、今季の全日本選手権優勝や世界選手権11位の成績を残した「かなだい」こと村元哉中（30）高橋大輔（37）組（関大KFSC）が… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）
www.nikkansports.com www.nikkansports.com

Dai: "Good evening, everyone."

Kana: "I am Kana Muramoto."

Dai: "This is Daisuke Takahashi. This time, we have something to report to you all. We've been asked by many people about our future career, but we were looking for the right time to make an announcement."

Dai: "We have decided to retire from competition at the end of this season."

Kana: "We decided on this after talking about it a lot, and we will hold a press conference for the press tomorrow."

Dai: "And for the fans, after the press conference, at 20:00, we hope to tell you all. If you have time, we would be happy if you could watch it."
Click to expand...


Thank you Kana-chan, Dai-chan, your fans will miss you terribly on competitive ice, but will keep supporting you in whatever comes next! ❤️


___________________________________
 
Last edited:
Sad to hear they will not be in the competitions but I'm glad to have had the experience of witnessing their beautiful programs.
They will be missed and I hope they will continue to amaze audiences and assist the Japanese ID program going forward.

Thanks to them both for the joy they had in skating.
 
Sad about the news;;; But like demarinis said above, we all knew and were always prepared this would be coming since their partnership in ice dance. Had it happened one year ago when they lost the opportunity to go to the Beijing Games, I would have been surprised personally probably, since it was announced as 2-year project. I should be so grateful, rather than feeling sad, to Kana and Daisuke they did decide to continue one more season. Competitive figure skating is just so much hard on skaters' bodies and mental health, it requires them to sacrifice really so much of their lives.
:thank::thank::thank: & :ghug::ghug::ghug:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

GoneWithTheWind
Dania Mouaden & Theo Bigot
Replies
4
Views
785
peepsquick
P
GoneWithTheWind
Layla Veillon & Alexander Brandys
Replies
1
Views
760
dorispulaski
dorispulaski
R
What are your 5 favorites programs of the season so far?
2 3
Replies
45
Views
5K
cocteautwin
cocteautwin
GoneWithTheWind
Hana Maria Aboian & Daniil Veselukhin
Replies
1
Views
748
dorispulaski
dorispulaski
synesthesia
Ikura Kushida & Koshiro Shimada
2 3 4
Replies
74
Views
8K
dorispulaski
dorispulaski
Back
Top