Ikura Kushida & Koshiro Shimada

[aerosuffly]

Me too. And has anyone mentioned that Ikura speaking voice is so adorable

 

[synesthesia]

A kind fan shared part of IkuKo's FD practice runthrough :

_________________​

They are scheduled to skate last in the RD: https://www.croskate.hr/cscro2025/FSKXICEDANCE----------QUAL000100--_StartListwithTimes.pdf

 

[synesthesia]

Ikura and Koshiro earned 59.19 points in the RD at Golden Spin. (Hopefully a kind soul recorded their performance. )

Team Champery posted their protocol on twitter :




They'll need a TES of at least 51,49 in the FD to achieve the 4CC minimum, which they exceeded at Western Sectionals and the Tokyo Citizens' Sports Festival where they left several points on the table, so this could be doable.

 

[cocteautwin]

I found video with their RD: https://youtu.be/Fr5Y_6_P6IA?si=5KYskh24Xxu577mc

 

[cocteautwin]

I found video with their RD: https://youtu.be/Fr5Y_6_P6IA?si=5KYskh24Xxu577mc

Better quality one: https://youtu.be/EC3KvWmbvq0?si=jUPIzw1cqf2IS7QQ

 

[synesthesia]

Better quality one: https://youtu.be/EC3KvWmbvq0?si=jUPIzw1cqf2IS7QQ

Thank you so much! That was a very good performance!

 

[cocteautwin]

Ikura and Koshiro earned 59.19 points in the RD at Golden Spin. (Hopefully a kind soul recorded their performance. )

Team Champery posted their protocol on twitter :




They'll need a TES of at least 51,49 in the FD to achieve the 4CC minimum, which they exceeded at Western Sectionals and the Tokyo Citizens' Sports Festival where they left several points on the table, so this could be doable.

They got 49.93, so close
Still, a great debut for them.

 

[Jeanie19]

They got 49.93, so close
Still, a great debut for them.

I hope they get another assignment to get the TES minimums for 4CC

 

[cocteautwin]

I hope they get another assignment to get the TES minimums for 4CC

With JSF I don't think so. But I hope I'm wrong.

 

[cocteautwin]

Free dance already posted: https://youtu.be/bw8lo8FqLqE?si=N3pdrJR4cbznMikB

 

[synesthesia]

They got 49.93, so close
Still, a great debut for them.

It's such a bummer, especially because this was the best they've skated their FD so far and they were still scored lower than at Sectionals and the Sports Festival.

I hope they get another assignment to get the TES minimums for 4CC

With JSF I don't think so. But I hope I'm wrong.

Unfortunately there is no more competition before the 4CC entry deadline (December 24) they could be sent to (ETA: or before 4CC at all, actually).

I don't have much hope, but honestly, it should be in the federation's best interest to send them to the Challenge Cup at the end of January (which is the only option) to try again, as there is currently no alternate for the Olympic team event in case UtaMasa won't be able to go (hopefully that won't happen, but still).

 

[rabidline]

I enjoy reading their comments after the FD so much, especially from Koshiro:



I find it fascinating and also realistic that Koshiro is less comfortable than Ikura when it comes to skating on ice together: he has the longer singles career and competed internationally more than Ikura did. I hope with more training and more proficiency in dance tech he can feel more confident and comfortable, but at the same time it's good that he isn't taking lightly the responsibility to skate together with Ikura.

One of the things I think about is whether they can consult with other coaches especially for dance tech. Different disciplines, but in pairs Sumitada and Yuna made really concrete progress in their pairs tech after switching to Russian coaches.

 

[rabidline]

Congratulations Ikura and Koshiro for the silver medals at Nationals! And for Ikura to completing both her singles and ice dance competition safely and in good health as well.

Their Free Dance is truly magical. I'm so glad they and Cathy choose this theme because not only is it beautiful to luxuriate in, it also really establish their team's distinct identity from their first season together, and I think that's pretty important in ice dance.

Not only their FD but I also have not been able to stop watching the slow-mo replays.... Koshiro's expression at the end is just SOOOOO good.



Also I really want them to go to dance tech specialists before more international assignments, especially since this is still pretty early in their partnership. Thinking of how solid Yunasumi has grown to be after going to Savin and Fedor Klimov. I hope Kinoshita can support them and get them there, especially since packaging-wise they are already in great hands with Cathy Reed.

 

[Arriba627]

Congratulations to Ikura and Koshiro. They are such awesome performers. Hard to believe they've been together such a short time. They have a great future together.

 

[demarinis5]

I am very impressed with this new team. I/K have picked up this discipline so quick. Having great single skills help. This is a team to watch. Congrats on winning the Silver medal!

 

[synesthesia]

Congrats to IkuKo on an impressive Nationals debut! It is no small feat to finish so close behind UtaMasa in their first head to head and to score over 100 points in the FD so soon after starting to compete. Now let's bring on the international assignments and NHK host spot next season!


Here is IkuKo's Medalists on Ice "Faith" performance - they already looked sharper and so much more confident compared to Friends on Ice here :

https://x.com/moozuru/status/2002997401842581613

Many thanks to moozuru, as always!

 

[synesthesia]

Ikura will be part of the Kassouya cast again :

 

[synesthesia]

And now Koshiro has been confirmed too:

 

[synesthesia]

IkuKo will perform at Fantasy on Ice!

 

[synesthesia]

IkuKo's program at Kassouya :