I really hope he finds a suitable partner. I love watching him - he's so expressive! I know it's all about the elements, but it's great to see a pair team where the guy is also strutting his stuff, not just lifting, carrying and supporting.By the looks of it Sumitada would also focus on pairs next season. Another twitter used alluded that the pairs tryout bruno did was for sumitada to find a new partner.
https://twitter.com/skatejapanews/status/1651137015180673024
Calling Shingo Nishyama...we need a few people to step up here!And another loss for the Japanese Ice Dance landscape:
Japanese Ice Dance pair Nicole Takahashi/Shiloh Judd, current National bronze medalists, also seemingly have split, as Shiloh is on Ice Partner Search.
Kana was going to retire in 2019 if Dai had not agreed to skater with her, and I don't think there is a male Japanese ice dancer who can match her.Honestly I wish Kana can continue with another partner but let's be real, the financial opportunities and fan support she gets because she's the ice dance partner of Daisuke Takahashi that made him win Nationals and 4CC medal in a different discipline will go away if she ever does that. They had their run and had great programs, I'm glad they retired on a high with memories of clean programs and not the falls and struggles.
Honestly I wish Kana can continue with another partner but let's be real, the financial opportunities and fan support she gets because she's the ice dance partner of Daisuke Takahashi that made him win Nationals and 4CC medal in a different discipline will go away if she ever does that. They had their run and had great programs, I'm glad they retired on a high with memories of clean programs and not the falls and struggles.
KoKo intend to continue until Milan, but they haven't improved much for the last few years. I was excited when they teamed up and represented Japan 7 years ago, but I'm no longer expect much from them.Ice dance in Japan is looking bleak. Will team KoKo power through until 2026? If JSF keeps giving them dust I don't think they will. Maybe Japan needs whomever the "Bruno Marcotte of ice dance" is that will help them steer that discipline in the right direction. Especially if they're gunning for a team medal in 2026. Japan is competitive in 3 of 4 disciplines right now but South Korea and Italy might be to by 2026.
I mean, it's been like this for a while. Kana and Dai teaming up is just a temporary band-aid that distracted from the issues.Ice dance in Japan is looking bleak.
In my defense I only got into figure skating this season and I have a lot of catching up to do with behind the scenes stuff. Also, ice dance as a discipline just confuses me lol.I mean, it's been like this for a while. Kana and Dai teaming up is just a temporary band-aid that distracted from the issues.
KoKo intend to continue until Milan, but they haven't improved much for the last few years. I was excited when they teamed up and represented Japan 7 years ago, but I'm no longer expect much from them.
There are some young talented ice dancers who are still looking for a partner, Shingo Nishiyama, Utana Yoshida, Nao Kida, Masaya Morita. Azusa Tanaka also looked promising at BOI. If I was a JSF official, I would rather invest on those young ones than on KoKo.
I agree with you on KoKo lacking chemistry despite of being married. I feel much more chemistry from KanaDai and RikuRyu. I wonder if that is because of their different background (nationalities, languages, cultures, etc.), but I feel more chemistry from Yuka Orihara / Juho Pirinen.This, I agree with that assessment. I hope JSF can make taller young male skaters interested in ID, too. Correct me if I'm wrong, but apart from age, I think the only thing holding KanaDai back was the small height difference. That might also hold back the similarly talented Shingo. Although, there are elite couples where the male's height is not a problem at all, like Guignard/Fabbri.
But apart from the improvement possibility (IMO to all that follows), what's really hurting KoKo is the lack of star power, and surprisingly for a married couple, a lack of chemistry on the ice. They're very good, but a bit vanilla and not special. They've had a couple of programs that stood out in the field, like the Geisha FD, but again, nothing that makes the audience go wow. OTOH, both KanaDai and Shingo have charisma aplenty, and they're natural dancers that catch one's eye instantly.
Me too!Besides doing shows, I could see them, especially Kana, contribute to bringing up the next generation.