Daisuke Takahashi | Page 199 | Golden Skate

Daisuke Takahashi

synesthesia

Final Flight
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Country
Germany
A new ice rink named Kanku Ice Arena opened on Christmas Day near Kansai International Airport (a.k.a. Kanku), and some top skaters in Osaka Area including Dai performed in an exhibition.

[...]

Thanks for gathering the pics and clips of the opening ceremony. Makes me smile to see Dai with his two "lil' sisters", Ayaka and Moa and of course with Sena, who is now half a head taller than him. :eek:



Considering such bad physical conditions hitting him series of injuries starting shoulder, knee, ankle and so on the whole season, very very well done at the J-Nats, Daisuke! :thumbsup:

[...]

Very belated happy birthday and thank you for your beautiful post, dear deedee! What a perfect birthday surprise awaited you at Nationals! :party:


Here's the moment after Dai's FS when he presented Nagamitsu-sensei with the flower-bouquet to thank her for their journey of almost 20 years :luv17::

https://twitter.com/mirieeen/status/1213041855513808896





The way the audience clapped and yelled his name in unison was really moving. Thank you, Yoyogi!

I'm glad his fans gave him that moment that his injuries denied him the first time around. I hope he found the closure he needed on this chapter of his life.





Saw this on Twitter and couldn't resist sharing here: At today's Medallists on Ice (JNats gala), Daisuke and Yuzuru went around the ice holding hands!
https://twitter.com/MOMENTbygendai/status/1209072262550212608?s=19

What a nice moment!

:agree:

Dai posted a series of IG stories on new year's day, one of which had him reveal it was him, who asked for the commemorative picture of Japan's "3 musketeers" at the JNats gala, because it's such a rare occasion they're all in the same spot together:

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1777704865700404&id=317966388340933


Love how Dai reached out to Yuzu (first at the SP draw when he started a conversation and then backstage at MOI). I think this was important to him. He mentioned how he hoped he would get to speak with Yuzu in one of the interviews leading up to this year's Nats and last season after Western Sectionals he said he was looking forward to "compete with" Yuzu, Shoma, Keiji and everyone else. Here's the clip of their farewell lap at the MOI gala:

https://youtu.be/F7CVp5QQ8QQ

Such a great message from these two.
 

synesthesia

Final Flight
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Country
Germany
Speaking of IG stories. Dai is on a spree right now!


Here's one from yesterday with Kanako, Hirokazu and Keiji backstage at Ice Explosion :biggrin::

https://twitter.com/FSIgstories/status/1215951926082375680


And from today almost replicating the previous one (without the funny faces though ;)):

https://twitter.com/mie3_299/status/1216199810090274816




Audience reports from the show are very enthusiastic!


  • The opening number is set to "The time is now" by Atreyu and described as "high-energy" and "cool".

  • There's a group number to "The Phoenix" feat. Misha, Elladj, Hirokazu, Yuta Onuma and of course Dai. :rock:

    IG story by Misha (love how Ben and Andrew are freestyling the choreo while watching from the side):

    https://twitter.com/mie3_299/status/1216221447447703552


  • Dai also has a solo number to "9000 days" and briefly joins Kana at the end of her solo skate to "Feeling good".

  • During the finale him and Keiji skate parts of the Cyberswan stsq and jump a 4T side-by-side! :cool:

  • The lucky attendees also get an exclusive first glimpse of KanaDai! Charlie White choreographed a number to Beauty and the Beast for them. Of course it'll take some time for Dai to adjust to his new discipline (he's still wearing his singles skate boots and blades here) and for the new team to gel, but charisma-wise they already look like a good match. Dai will move to Florida and start training seriously with Kana next month.


Ice Explosion will be broadcasted on TV Tokyo on the 19th!

https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/broad_tvtokyo/program/detail/202001/25729_202001191600.html



_______________________________

Clips:





Photos from the show:



Short recaps in English (thank you DTrtS and nobu!):

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1789630714507819&id=317966388340933

https://twitter.com/nobumamiya/status/1215791823634878465



Backstage pics:

 

mikeko666

Final Flight
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Parts (not all) of Ice Explosion will be aired this Sunday. I hope someone will upload on YouTube. I got to see two shows last Sunday. It was a very good show although some programs did not glue to next smoothly.

The opening was very cool :cool:, they should make an ice show in that theme and the Phoenix. The audience went totally wild during the Phoenix with Misha, Elage, Hirokazu and Yuta, I thought that the ceiling of the ice rink might fall. :laugh: Dai let the other boys to skate some parts of the program and jumped only 3Lz, which was very smooth. I again realized how physically demanding the program was, and what a crazy idea to skate the entire program by himself! But he WAS the phoenix.

"Welcome to the Ice Dance World" was a lovely program choreographed by Charlie to Beauty and Beast, in which Meryl, Charlie, Tanith an Ben introduced Dai to ice dance. The part Dai and Kana skated was rather short, but I look forward to seeing how they will develop from here as an ice dance team.

It has been 25 years since Dai began skating at age 8, which is about 9000 days. That's why he chose the song. It was a personal program, about his skating life. 3S and 3Lz came out of nowhere, so airy. His skating alone was so beautiful. His edges were so quiet, and I could barely hear noise.

Backstage footage of Ice Explosion https://youtu.be/qOZhOg9vEww
At 1:30, he said he had lost those red ribbons of the Phoenix costume! :palmf:

Meryl Davis' Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Z56BpAmZX/
Sounds like Dai and Kana trained together with Meryl and Charlie in Kansai Ice Arena after Ice Explosion. I wonder if they will perform a new ice dance program at Prince Ice World Hiroshima this weekend. Here, Dai was in ice dance boots while he wore freestyle boots in Ice Explosion.
 

synesthesia

Final Flight
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Country
Germany

Complete video of today's Ice Explosion highlights broadcast (please do not repost the link anywhere else):


https://drive.google.com/open?id=1uruXqTCQecXrmMAEQlQDA5csfPefivmG



Intro
Opening/Entire cast - The time is now
Kana (with Dai cameo) - Feeling good
Kanako - Bolero
Akiko - Ladies in lavender
Shizuka - Tango jalousie
Elladj/Hiro/Yuta - My songs know what you did in the dark
Dai/Misha/Elladj/Hiro/Yuta - The Phoenix

Meryl & Charlie/Tanith & Ben/Kana & Dai - Beauty & the Beast
Interview with Kana & Dai
Keiji - Hip hip chin chin
Kanako/Kiki/Akane - Group number
Kaytlin & Andrew (with Elladj cameo) - Crazy little thing called love
Akiko/Misha/Kiki/Hiro/Akane/Yuta - Roundtable rival
Pang & Tong - Amo soltanto te
Dai - 9000 Days
Finale/Entire cast - Ever again
Interview with Dai



Individual programs on youtube (thank you izayukam and uni!):

 

deedee1

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 14, 2007
Perfect 3000th post, deedee.

Here in Dai's FanFest, and up there I'm sure Olympia enjoyed this as well. And not all is over, yet. A new Dai chapter is about to start, and we are truly blessed to be a part of it.

Wow deedee how lucky for you that you got to see Dai practice when you were not expecting to see him at all.
It seems that a fate angel intervened on your behalf (Olympia) . I would have fainted straight away.:luv17:

Wishing all a Happy New Year! :hap10:

Very belated happy birthday and thank you for your beautiful post, dear deedee! What a perfect birthday surprise awaited you at Nationals! :party:

I'm glad his fans gave him that moment that his injuries denied him the first time around. I hope he found the closure he needed on this chapter of his life.

Sorry, very very belated big 'Thank-You' for your sweet words to me. :thank:
Such unexpected blissful moments for me. :)

Two of 'Utako's Room' posted recently, one is right before Nats and the other after. You'll see some interesting views by Utako sensei re Dai's decision to switch to Ice dance:
https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/utako/utako_42_1.html 2pages
https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/utako/utako_43_1.html 4pages

実は、かなちゃんがクリス・リード選手とカップルを解消した後、パートナーが見つからないと心配した濱田(美栄)先生が、いつのショーだったか、出演者や私たちコーチと会場で軽食を頂きながら談笑していた時に、「かなちゃんのパートナーにいいスケーターはいない?」と皆に聞いたんです。そうしたら、その場にいたメリル・デービスさんが「大輔がいるじゃない!?」と答えたんです。その事を濱田先生がかなちゃんに伝えたのが始まりなんです。その時は冗談半分で笑っていたのですが、少しずつ現実になって行きました。

I didn't know it was Meryl who referred to Daisuke as a new partner for Kana when coach Hamada (Kana's ex main coach pre ice dance career) anxiously asked people around her 'Is there ANY akster you'd think of a good match for Kana, please?'.
 

deedee1

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 14, 2007
Parts (not all) of Ice Explosion will be aired this Sunday. I hope someone will upload on YouTube. I got to see two shows last Sunday. It was a very good show although some programs did not glue to next smoothly.

The opening was very cool :cool:, they should make an ice show in that theme and the Phoenix. The audience went totally wild during the Phoenix with Misha, Elage, Hirokazu and Yuta, I thought that the ceiling of the ice rink might fall. :laugh: Dai let the other boys to skate some parts of the program and jumped only 3Lz, which was very smooth. I again realized how physically demanding the program was, and what a crazy idea to skate the entire program by himself! But he WAS the phoenix.

With no commentary
The Phoenix

Thanks a lot for your fabulous reports on Ice Exlosion :love: and the YT link, mikeko-san! :thank:
Agreed. Still I can't believe he tried to put 3 spins and 3 jumping passes into this crazily packed program, then THAT step sq at the end! :drama:
Look how exhausted Misha was at the end who only did the step sq part.

Utako-sensei said in the interview above that Dai didn't do a run-thru of The Phoenix at all before the Nats due to bad physical conditions (the program was so hard, thus she feared if he ever did, he just couldn't skate at all the next day).

I don't remember what words he exactly said, but Dai talked about his short program in an interview right before Nats:
"It is most likely to be last competitive program for me, so I just want it as I wish. No placement matters. No points matters any more. I want something challenging to me. I want something no one ever did before. Some would say, 'Up your tech contents first', though. I want something fun, crowd-pleasing and memorable. I want it as the crowds can enjoy during my perofrmance and will remember it. 'Then you can do it in a show', some other'd say. But I want it the best I can within the rules and limitation of competitions."

And it's the reason I love Daisuke all these years. He always tried and did show the world how far he could stretch the boundary of competitive figure skating the best he could. :luv17:

@ FOI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugm_OvSXjYs
@ CaOI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM0avaqQe8E
@ Nats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1v-wgxQVNY
@ MOI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw5n0wajkLQ

The one at Medalists on Ice looks better probably, but despite jump misatkes I'd prefer his SP at the Nationals, deep in consentration and tension of a competition. Such a shame he only had one competition to skate this masterpiece. I'd wish he had jumped 2A instead and had a clean program. Anyway I do love his moves between 3F(+3T) and 3A, the speed and THAT headroll! :cool:

Daisuke wanted one more piece that only he can pull off before he retire from singles skating; like Cyber Swan (pre-injury) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-UxKhsJdZs and Eye (post Morozov) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTeEkONht9M, more precisely, no one dare to pick up and skate to. :cool:
 

mikeko666

Final Flight
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
This Marina Zueva interview by Maxim Trankov is mostly about Tarasova/Morozov, but also shows Hertz Arena in which Dai and Kana starts training.

EDIT:
Kana and Dai are already in Florida. A student of Alper Uchar, who now works in Team Zueva, has been tweeting in Japanese. She is very surprised because she suddenly got so many followers! :laugh: She may post pics with Kana an Dai taken by Alper later.

EDIT 2:
She posted a pic with Kana and Dai in her blog entry. She is an adult skater who began skating five years ago, and has been leaning ice dance for four years and free style for a year. Kana and Dai were talking to three Japanese and Ilia Tkachenko when she saw them, so Ilia may be directly involved in their training. She asked Alper to take the picture. Because she was so excited even in her lesson later, Alper said to her "I'm also famous in my county as I'm the first figure skater representing Turkey in Olympics". :laugh:
 

synesthesia

Final Flight
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Country
Germany
The person, who posted the pic of herself with Kana and Dai at the Hertz Arena shared another picture with Kana's permission. Apparently Kana, Dai, Evgenia Tarasova, Vladimir Morozov, the group's ballet instructor Yelena, Marina's mother and two ladies I am not familiar with went to a Beethoven recital at a local church:

https://twitter.com/pensgalko/status/1227783528164810757



Oh, and before Dai left Japan he attended a performance of West Side Story season 2, which seems to have inspired him quite deeply. He posted a few pictures with the cast members he's friends with and with Kensho Ono, who played one of the leads and who people say looks like Dai (I don't see it tbh / click through to the 4th picture):

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Duct2nkZ7/

I found Dai's accompanying words insightful and touching :)thank: izayukam, for the translation!):

https://twitter.com/SachikoHR/status/1224324694720958465

I went to see the show. This was, as always, a thought-provoking work. In any age the root problems of a conflict don’t seem to change.

Forgiving is not simple, and it would be too naive to speak only fine words… But knowing it must be better than not knowing to begin with, or trying to accept than simply rejecting.

The past is surely very important, but I want to be free from it, yet to keep it close to my heart. And I wish to look at the future. However, to do that, all in all we need some sort of what is called love. I hope I can find lots of small pieces of love, here and there.

With my poor vocabulary I can’t express it well, but anyway, I had a fantastic time. I am happy to find such a great production before I leave for the US. The way they use the Stage Around Theater was great and I hope I can do something myself on a stage like this.




ETA:

Dai payed the Wynwood walls & art district in Miami a visit :cool: :

https://twitter.com/FSIgstories/status/1226543713524109312


Kiss & Cry's special edition on Dai-chan's last nationals performances in the singles category, his switch to ice dance and Ice explosion will be available from Friday 14th:

https://twitter.com/TeamKISSandCry/...VXtCf4EyhK4-WEE7rAP1SKb65VmsqjoijJe7me-ZeysXo


Another nice Ice Explosion backstage pic:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Js9Gi...pt5V_S17pRkb34wwcwbpARWoESxGcjLoBXjgD6FQUDARU


A broadcast of the show's full uncut version in 4K with Tatsuki Machida's commentary is scheduled for the 8th of March on BS TV Tokyo:

https://twitter.com/tvtokyo_figure/...2yEyAj31dqO_BoX0QfVbp45i4tXZ6TQagAU7qCN8wEag8



EDIT 2:
She posted a pic with Kana and Dai in her blog entry. She is an adult skater who began skating five years ago, and has been leaning ice dance for four years and free style for a year. Kana and Dai were talking to three Japanese and Ilia Tkachenko when she saw them, so Ilia may be directly involved in their training. She asked Alper to take the picture. Because she was so excited even in her lesson later, Alper said to her "I'm also famous in my county as I'm the first figure skater representing Turkey in Olympics". :laugh:


Translation of the entire blog entry:

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1816578911812999&id=317966388340933
 

synesthesia

Final Flight
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Country
Germany
A couple of updates:







_______________________________

Last but not least - complete video of today's uncut version of Ice Explosion, with Tatsuki's commentary and peak dorky uncle Dai moments during the finale and encore :biggrin: (yes, I'm saying this with utter fondness :luv17:):

https://drive.google.com/open?id=10x48QBT4lh1AND4btUf8fNMKhTeK1nvI



Youtube links (thank you so much to the kind uploader!):

Introduction (Machida & Itagaki)

Opening

Feeling good + Kana interview

My songs know what you did in the dark/The Phoenix + Dai interview

Beauty and the Beast Medley + Kana & Dai interview

Dai's message as introduction to "9000 days" ♥

9000 days

Finale/Ever again

Encore + Dai interview




On the 1st of March Kiss & Cry published a preview interview with Tatsuki about his thoughts on Ice Explosion, Dai's new role as ice show producer (for Ice Explosion he acted as a chairman for the first time) and his switch to ice dance:

https://www.tvguide.or.jp/feature/kissandcry/20200301/01.html


Google translation:

Exclusive interview with Mr. Machida "I hope the "Ice Dance Renaissance Era" will be visited by Daisuke Takahashi as a detonator"


The new ice show “Ice Explosion 2020” was held at KOSÉ Shin-Yokohama Skate Center on January 10-12. Top skaters from around the world, including chairman Daisuke Takahashi, created an energetic and unique show as the name of "explosion", and thrived the crowd.

"Figure skating ICE EXPLOSION 2020 [Uncut Complete Edition]", which will be aired on March 8 (2:00 pm) at BS TV Tokyo / BS TV Tokyo 4K, will all be broadcast with a special commentary by Tatsuki Machida.


We interviewed Machida, who finished recording the commentary, about the highlights of "Ice Explosion 2020"!



── What are the highlights of the new ice show “Ice Explosion 2020”?

"This time, I was impressed by Takahashi's concept of "retirement in single competition" and "starting into an ice dance competition", a celebration of the two. One of the highlights is how the ice show will be developed, and couple skaters (teams) account for more than 50% of the performers in this show. Single skaters have been used in ice shows in Japan until now. Although the show was formed on the basis of this, this time, in a sense, the couple is the main show, so that is also a unique part unique to “Ice Explosion 2020”. If you focus on the differences between the couple competitions, I think you can enjoy the show more. ''


── The first section, "The Phoenix'', which was the last program of Takahashi's single competition, was revived as a collaboration number by Takahashi, Eladj Balde, Hirokazu Kobayashi, Yuta Onuma, Misha Ge.

"The performers want to dance "The Phoenix" and have a tingling sensation. In that sense, it's been a celebration party. I think it's a very cozy and hearty/cordial ice show. "

── What are the highlights of the collaboration number?

"First of all, there is a collaboration between Takahashi and Misha who adapted Sheryl Murakami's on-land choreography on ice, and it seems that it was very meaningful that the choreographer and the skater performed together. In addition, Balde, Kobayashi, and Onuma dance together.They are really the dancers and lively “The Showman,” so we're going to work with these skaters. I think that it was a blissful moment for Takahashi to be able to dance The Phoenix, and the audience is also excited. ''


── In the second part, three ice-dancing couples from the performance “Beauty and the Beast Medley” include Meryl Davis & Charlie White, Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto, and Kana Muramoto & Takahashi co-starred.

“If the last part of the first part was “The Last Moment of a Single” in “The Phoenix”, the second part would have been “Takahashi who came to the world of ice dancing.” In the performance of “Beauty and the Beast Medley,” it was impressive that Meryl, Charlie, Tanith and Ben warmly welcomed the couple of Muramoto and Takahashi. I think Muramoto and Takahashi are a fun team from the perspective of those who have fought/competed in the world of ice dancing (themselves). Not only the Muramoto-Takahashi team, but also in Japan, enthusiastic and young people are gaining abilities. Now that the ice dance culture is booming, I'm really looking forward to seeing how Muramoto and Takahashi go into it. ''



── What are the highlights of "Movie" Beauty and the Beast "Medley?

"Meryl and Tanith dressed up Takahashi, Charlie and Ben escorted Muramoto, and they said they were going to do their best. The scene. It was very impressive. "


── Takahashi displayed birds in the new program “9000 Days”.

"Takahashi's 25-year career as a skater is about 9000 days, but I felt that he was skating and that various memories were coming back. We also recall the various achievements of Takahashi. In the finale's commentary, I and Mr. Itagaki (actual commentary: Ryusuke Itagaki announcer) said, "I'm talking about what you like the most,'' and reminiscing, "I've had something like that, there's something like that, ''so I hope you'll enjoy it.


── Please tell us other recommended performances of Machida-san.

"Everything was great, but the strongest one is my recommendation," Crazy Little Thing Called Love "by Caitlin Weaver & Andrew Poget. Watch a narrative, fresh American youth romantic comedy First of all, the choreography of Kurt Browning, who is making the most of their goodness, is really skillful, and the performance of the two artists who express that choreography is tremendous. I think it's a wonderful performance. ''


── The group numbers were also substantial, such as “Request for Tears-Dancing Hero” and “Roundtable Rival”.

"I think the fact that the members of the Prince Ice World team (Mr. Kobayashi, Mr. Onuma, Ms. Akane Seo, Ms. Kiki Nakanishi) appeared in the group number was very large. I think they did an exquisite job like a lubricant that creates a sense of unity when skating.The strength is that they instantly switch between the leading role and the supporting role, and the behavior and expression appropriate to the time and place I think that it can be done, but this time the technology as a professional skater was shimmering. ''


── This was also Takahashi's first chair performance. How was Takahashi as chairman?

"I think Chairman Daisuke Takahashi's greatest strength is probably his "humanity that is loved by everyone." I think even if the skaters in the same set have different ideas, what makes them feel like "I can make one big thing with this person" is still Takahashi's personality. "


── What do you expect from Takahashi as an ice dancer?

"It is certain that the media value of ice dance in Japan has been increasing as Takahashi turned to ice dance. Young ice dancers are now growing up, and it will be even more interesting from now on. Ice dance has a long history in Japan, and ancestors have pioneered the ice dance culture in Japan. There's nothing more wonderful, I really hope that something like the "Ice Dance Renaissance Age" will happen, which will help the ancestors bloom their seeds. "


── The last question. This time it was a commentary on a new ice show, but did the combination with the famous Itagaki announcer evolve?

"I think the combination of the two is more natural and stronger. There are many couple skaters this time, so this program will be a" beginner of a couple competition "for viewers. I want to do it, and I am taking on the challenge of commentary, which is an introduction to pair and ice dance competitions. I want you to pay attention too. ''


“Figure Skating ICE EXPLOSION 2020 [Uncut Complete Edition]”, which allows you to enjoy the charm of “Ice Explosion 2020” with Machida's commentary, will be broadcast from 2:00 pm on March 8th. Please take a look!
 

synesthesia

Final Flight
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Country
Germany
Since it is the 11th of March, a lookback onto the annual Kobe charity shows, that Dai and Kenji organised between 2011 and 2015 to support those affected by the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake ("All hearts as one"):

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgGkiDsg9q9/?igshid=jix1x7pmrp4g


The Japan society still accepts donations for the cause under the following link (select "Tohoku earthquake relief" from the drop down list):

https://jscommunity.japansociety.or...79.292552059.1583956500-1479752508.1583956500


________________

A few Dai goodies to lighten the mood now that Worlds had to be canceled:


 
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