28.03.2022
Kana Muramoto & Daisuke Takahashi make no statements about next season. When told "We want to see more", Takahashi said: "I accept the words."
Text by Komiya Yoshiyuki
[Competing against the world's best: 'We know where we stand']
During the post-competition mixed-zone interview, a foreign journalist asked Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi a question and then passed on a message: "(Choreographer) David Wilson told me: “I'm really sorry I can't meet you, but please do your best!”
The unexpected message caused Takahashi, whose expression had been slightly stiff, to lose his composure [loosen up?]. He responded to the journalist in frank English: “Say hi to him.” Muramoto, who was standing next to him, smiled as if she was entwined [?], and the atmosphere softened on the spot.
The ice dancers Muramoto and Takahashi, known affectionately as "Kanadai", had just finished their first World Championships as a team.
25 March, Montpellier, France. At the World Championships in ice dance, Kanadai met the world's top athletes. It's been two years since the couple formed, and for Takahashi, it's been two years since he switched from single skating, so standing there was an accomplishment in itself.
“It's strange sometimes to be skating with [Dai Takahashi], and I feel so happy." Muramoto says sincerely. "When they call his name 'Daisuke Takahashi' in the five-minute practice, everyone knows Dai-chan as a singles skater. I think it's amazing to be able to skate with him. I'm really happy to have skated with Dai-chan at the World Championships in ice dance."
In the Rhythm Dance (RD), Kanadai fascinated the world with 'Soranbushi & Koto'. The exotic rhythms of hip-hop overlapped with the vitality of the fishermen and the grandeur of the sea. “The programme is not only flashy, but also profound", explained Takahashi, while Muramoto spoke of the "hidden thoughts of the Japanese people that they do not reveal", which were embodied beautifully. In terms of programme components alone, they were 12th, showing their superb skating.
However, they had some omissions compared to their best ever Japanese scores at the NHK Trophy and the Warsaw Cup, and their score itself did not improve.
“I was too motivated to score [well] because the performance in the first half was so good," Takahashi said. He pursed his lips as he said this, “but the second twizzle came undone.”
“The second twizzle was a big part of my mentality: I kept getting into and out of it (in practice), and it became an anxiety factor without me knowing it. I wasn't able to do it the same way every day. When I got to the venue, I wasn't in bad shape (but) I thought, this is the World Championships."
They came 15th in the RD with 67.77 points. Not a score to look down on. Making it to the Free Dance (FD) is a definite gain compared to previous results of Japanese athletes.
And on 26 March, Kanadai once again expressed their world view in La Bayadere, [which they used for the] second year in the FD. As a ballet piece alone, everything was graceful from the hand movements to the free leg, and there was an euphoric harmony.
The reason why their performances have been particularly well received/highly evaluated abroad is the deep edges, angled body tilt, and the harmony of their nerves down to the fingertips. It is easy to see when it comes to photography, it is beautiful as a picture. It has a vibrancy that sounds and seems to start moving.
However, there was a difference in experience between the couple's second year and their first, and they struggled to reproduce the technical aspects. For example, the rotational lift couldn't get the level. It was not easy to earn GOEs (Grade of Execution points) and the score was only 96.48 points.
[Being able to compete with the best in the world gave us a real sense of where we are in the world.]
As Muramoto says, the two have moved into a new phase. “We had a good rhythm and free dance in practice, so I felt confident going into the competition," she said. “But in reality, we missed a lot and made mistakes in the competition that we don't usually make. As a team, the World Championships made us realise how inexperienced we are in competitions."
Kanadai's continuation in the competition is currently a blank sheet of paper.
They finished with a total of 164.25 points in 16th place. Scores and rankings are important only in competition, and mistakes need to be improved. But again, in their case, they have only been together for two years and deserve a medal for standing on that stage.
Takahashi: “The World Championships have just finished, now I don't want to think ahead, I want to enjoy the competition, I've been rushing around for two years, so I’m going to give my feelings a holiday (laughs). I'm going to think it over there."
When asked if he would continue ice dancing next season, Takahashi declined to say, but he has put in two years of his best.
“I started from zero and had nothing but growth. Last season I didn't really feel like an ice dancer, but this season I think I've become one. Throughout the season, I had swings where I felt confident and where I didn’t. I don't know what the future holds, but I think I still have a lot of potential, and I'm not at 100% yet."
His departure is currently a blank sheet of paper.
One thing is certain: they have created a sensation in the sport. The benefits they have brought to figure skating as a whole, by increasing the popularity of ice dancing, are immeasurable. In just two years, they have opened the door to the world.
“Many people want to see the/your continuation of ice dance. It would be a shame for this to be the end!” I said to Takahashi, when I was in the venue where the heat of the World Championships still lingered.
“Thank you. I'll accept your words and listen to them (laughs),” he replied in his usual cheerful voice.
“(The same thing) is being said by everyone around us, isn't it?” next to him, Muramoto laughed at Takahashi.
The two are expected to make a decision after their triumphant appearance at the ice show from 8 April.
:
, so so successful on so many levels… want so much for them to continue
(it’s weird that none of the commentators I listened to seemed to have noticed though).
:
(I hope she finds a new partner soon):
):
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I see Dai finally got a haircut. I miss the clips we used to get of him at the hair salon.
to the kind uploader!):
). Yesterday it was their Osaka performance of YATR.
in the upper right corner)):
