2019-20 Retirements, Splits & Partner Changes

deedee1 said:

@Ic3Rabbit:
Assuming you are/were a skater at elite level both in ice dance and singles (wow AMAZING! ), may I ask you something? How would you see/measure Daisuke Takahashi as an ice dancer?

As a casual fan of the sport, I thought Daisuke has good skating skills for a singles skater, pretty good edge work, very musical, lyrical, versatile, a great performer and I did enjoy his skating for many years. :yes: But I am no expert, I don't know how he'll fit in Ice dance category. It was Meryl Davis, I heard, who first mentioned his name as a candidate for Kana Muramoto when she was having a little trouble finding a new partner.

Dai admits dance spin and lifts will be his biggest challenge. Especially spin that he worries; bacause in singles skating my understanding is the center of an axis stays the same as skater's body, but in ice dance it needs to be in between of two skaters, meaning outside of her/his own body which is of course Dai never did before (Is my wording correct? Sorry in advance if not, since English isn't my nature language .

This is the performance they skated together in ice shows in January, with Tanith/Ben love and Meryl/Charlieluv17: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZlRVMpu-NU Here he didn't wear ice dance boots yet, very basic steps/turns with easy choreography. No expert as I said but unison already, Kana and Dai match each other skating-wise I thought.

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happycamper2554 said:

Retirement post has been deleted

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Kateryna and Ivan are in great shape and feel confident that other countries will appreciate their talents and hard work. Obviously, COVID-19 pandemics affected the chances to find another federation to skate for, but that’s temporary. Couple hopes to continue to skate together, but they are also open to the options where both of them will be skating with different partners and different countries.

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Ic3Rabbit said:

I was actually thrilled when Dai made the announcement, as I always felt like he was one of few that could switch to ice dance and do very well. His biggest issue may be lifts as Kana is one inch shorter than he, and also that he's not used to them(lifts).

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mikeko666 said:

A physical training/therapy company called Realine posted pics and video of Dai and Kana training on their Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/ReaLineforEveryone/posts/3020467951324516

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deedee1 said:

Thank you so much for your view on Daisuke.

I am so glad and relieved you see the same quality in his skating which numerous ice dance coaches in Japan saw when 16yo Dai won the junior title back in 2002 (ah, time flies! ) and excitedly told his team that he was welcome to ice dance anytime if wouldn't work in the singles on the senior circuit.

Re dance lifts, Dai says momentum and its timing are the keys. I just wish his right knee will be able to bear the G(gravity)-force during lifts and spins.

In the meantime he is trying to bulk up his muscle strength.

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deedee1 said:

Does he need that much of muscle like Zach Donohue's?! :shocked: Then he may look like The Hulk on ice, I'd fear!

Off topic. I've just learned a new English word, vouch. I used to work in the hotel business more than 20 years and I did use the word 'voucher' A LOT; like how to handle differently 'hotel voucher' vs 'hotel order'. But never thought of checking up what 'vouch' means as a verb with my dictionary. : Thanks!

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thorag said:

Did I miss somethig or has something been cut off this thread?

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thorag said:

Did I miss somethig or has something been cut off this thread?

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GoneWithTheWind said:

It seems the last few comments from this thread have been transferred to the new thread for the 2020/21 season, as they are to do with next season rather than the last season: https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/s...020-21-Retirements-Splits-amp-Partner-Changes

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