News and Topics 2019

Sheryl Murakami Instagram ! A clip from practice with Dai on JO rink, and a wonderful comment by Sheryl
Plus a (very short) Instastory.

What the heck is this?? "1/10-1/12 Ice Show in ShinYokohama!!!"
And "Phoenix Dai" as large pic on the poster.
An additional Ice Show in January?
 

---Yesss! Really! Probably flyers in Saitama Arena.

Thanks for updates, sonabilis!

Sheryl's comment is really amazing and so true: meeting Dai changes your life (as a co-worker and also as a fan    ) as Dai is an endless source of inspiration, courage and love in many forms.          

Pity for the loud music covering Dai's voice.

sonabilis wrote:

What the heck is this?? "1/10-1/12 Ice Show in ShinYokohama!!!" An additional Ice Show in January?

Yes, it seems Dai's brand new show  

Dai and Nanana

Dai and Nanana

According to tweets from fans attending CaOI (automatic translation)

Dai skated The Phoenix with full layout but seems he has something changed in choreo (no more specific info)

Dai has a brand new costume for The Phoenix Black pants as FOI but the top is different (seems with a V neckline) and he was wearing red gloves and/or red wrist laces.

As encore he skated the stsq from PGG

After The Phoenix ended, Dai-chan was very tired and had to wait before being ready for the encore

Dai put the audience on fire!!! (oh, well.... that's no news )

33 yo Uncle Dai or 13 yo Baby Dai?? Hope this will be broadcasted tomorrow!

During Rika's performance, Dai-chan and Shoma were standing together in the skater's entrance laughing and whirling their arms around being silly

Source https://twitter.com/yawning_shoma/status/1180455001589764096

Thanks for all the updates sonabilis and Pattina, much appreciated.

Shoma's FS "Dancing on My Own" choreographed by David Wilson.
He came in 2nd in the FS. He said in an interview that he has had not much
time to practice his FS so it was watered down he also fell on his 4T.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=eQeBbN94XuQ

Congrats to Team Europe for winning the Gold, Team Japan Silver and Team USA Bronze

Shyla, thank you for posting link to Shoma's FS.  Clearly it was not one of his best performances, 20 points behind Nathan. And many people commented the program is void, full of crossover and nothing else. Hope Shoma can work on it in order to present a more polished performance at Finlandia Trophy. And later in GP competitions.

Tv news!!! New outfit, eyeliner and fire gaze      Camera shooting is not enough to have an idea of the new outfit. Seems Dai has some "feathers" on shoulders and hints of red here and there. A Phoenix, indeed!!    

25 seconds of The Phoenix


High kick in slowmotion

Title is not mine!  

Raise your hand if you've got shivers down your spine...


Screenshots

Screenshot


Back to yesterday's practice

Charlie White's instastory

Pattina said:

Shyla, thank you for posting link to Shoma's FS.  Clearly it was not one of his best performances, 20 points behind Nathan. And many people commented the program is void, full of crossover and nothing else. Hope Shoma can work on it in order to present a more polished performance at Finlandia Trophy. And later in GP competitions.

Yes he just got the program at the end of August so really no time to practice. As for the comments that people
are making about his void, full of crossover and nothing else programs his naysayers
have been saying that for years about Sho's programs and it is not true and he has the medals
to prove it.

Shyla wrote:

As for the comments that people
are making about his void, full of crossover and nothing else programs his naysayers
have been saying that for years about Sho's programs and it is not true

You are completely right!!! In addition to technique, Shoma has the additional touch that involves audience.

Today TyTokyo will broadcast Carnival On Ice at 16:00 JT


Streaming 1

Alternate streaming

CaOI has just ended. As usual, tv hasn't broadcasted the full show, but only some skaters.

Dai did not skate the full layout, because he didn't do the combo. And popped the 3A      

Indeed he was very tired in the end. The Phoenix in a large rink is something even more rocking and shoking!!!

Check here for Dai and Meryl dancing during CaOI practice      

Dai and Meryl


Meryl's instastory    

EDIT


Screenshot from Opening, at the end of Dai's presentation

Friends On Ice

Dai skated the presentation with the original FOI outfit. Just a few moves as usual, then his friends arrived on the ice and Lambiel grabbed his hair and pulled his head back


Interview in the backstage after The Phoenix

And here he is Thanks to kind uploader!!!


Daisuke Takahashi - The Phoenix - CaOI 2019

Thanks for link to the live stream, that was very helpful !!

Maammmmmamiiia
I'm still digesting this mentally.
Viewers of the show tweeted: “He has a suction power like a »black hole« " They are right  

PS Oh, already uploaded! Many thanks!

OMG! Loving the new costume. Good lord I was as exhausted as Dai-chan after that performance.
It sure takes a lot out of him. Love the clip with Meryl and Dai, so cute.

Thanks Pattina for the updates!

PATTINA wrote:

And here he is  Thanks to kind uploader!!!


Daisuke Takahashi - The Phoenix - CaOI 2019

Thank you!!!

I'm probably only one, but I hate the new costume   except for the red ribbons on his hands, which are genius! And I don't like to much the choreo changes, I mean, I liked the previous start more. But it's Dai, he can wear whatever he wants, he's rocking in everything, and after a few more rewatches I'll be in love with those sparkling feathers  
His sparkling black hair is another matter though, just gorgeous         And that high kick at the end was deadly

Sports news with Charlie giving Dai dancing lessons, I died seeing Shoma's expression at 1:34      
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXZur2J_jPE&feature=youtu.be

Thanks ilica for the clip. Dai has Charlie and Meryl first class ice-dancers giving and showing him some ID tips and Shoma's expression is hilarious.

Hot new outfit, Dai!       Some flair of "visual kei" instead of punk rocker.  A dark, seductive creature of the night. Gorgeous!!        
Just one thing I don't like so much: the high collar hampering Dai's neck caressing...
Dai-chan .... got some idea to fix this? Pleeeeaase!

The choreographic changes seem to make sense, a bit smoothing before the jumps, and the static steps are gone. I can imagine why: they are "stage steps", looking good within a frame (of stage or camera). But the rink is virtually a frameless place.

Someone tweeted, maybe "The Phoenix" will go through such a strong transformation as once "VAS"? (Now I'm curious about early versions of VAS ....)

Some more Twitter (no sources, sorry)
Yesterday the international judges present were watching The Phoenix with big eyes.    

The live viewers were shocked by the explosive speed of PGG ChSq. Dai must have flashed through the rink.
---- In the recording, the camera follows him, so it's hard to see the speed. But his body moves are incredibly quick    

Hi everyone and thanks for new links and comments!!

I left home soon after posting the link to The Phoenix and was back late at night.  Luckily the YT video of Dai, Charlie and Meryl is still available and now I have watched/downloaded it.      

ilica wrote:

I died seeing Shoma's expression at 1:34

Shoma's expression is priceless!!!    

But I died watching this from 2:16 to 2:20.  My screenshot - hope you like it


Today's article by Number Web. It's nothing really new, the report from press conference, anyway I'm always happy to read that Dai's commitment to figure skating is "for life"    

The core of Daisuke Takahashi as skater: "I want go on for a lifetime"

Some points (Google translation)

"I want to skate as long as possible" he says        

It might have been Muramoto's offer that led directly to the world of ice dancing.
However, it was only Takahashi's core that opened up a new world and opened the way to the unknown.


Slowmotion moments from The Phoenix

Fan art by Deracinated Flower


StSq sketch of The Phoenix by Meowmix


CaOI practice video - left click with mouse and move it round while video is running. You can have a 360° view

360° video at CaOI practice

Hello everyone,

thank you for all the links and infos! Meryl&Charlie teaching Dai, so adorable!

I had a look on the JO competitors. Liked Nathan and Shoma very well, and Satoko too!
Despite of Shoma's "watery performance"... I don't know, it's just me... but recently there is something new about him, something exciting.
Btw, Trusova is a little gymnast  

PATTINA wrote:

But I died watching this from 2:16 to 2:20.  My screenshot - hope you like it

Glamorous and sexy!!!   
Dai was dying as well at that moment
Here's what he said (subtitles scanned&autotranslated)

(1) "It is impossible!"
(2) [approximately] "I should rather have kept the SP from last year!"

In the interview after his performance, Dai said approximately this:
( scanned&autotranslated)

(1) He refuses a praise, says something like "that was not masterful" / "I'm not a master"
(2) He talks about a spin and that he left something out
(3) He says he was so nervous that his legs did not want to move. But he still managed to enjoy it.
(4) The make up was Sheryl's work. He asked her / let her do the make up for him.
(5) He don't know if he's going to do that in competition too (it's still about make up I guess)
(6) He hasn't much time left until competitions. He wants to take the maximum of it and practice as much as possible.

Quote :

Slowmotion moments from The Phoenix

Smoking hot!
I complained about his high collar, but the subsequent arm movement compensates for that. He has changed it from pushing to stroking, and this is.... heyyy Dai-chan what are you doing !! ?? Do you want to kill us all?

Sonabilis, thanks for translation!! It's so helpful!!

I can understand why Dai was so worried. More than one month has passed since FOI and again he was not able to skate a complete (combo was still missing) and flawless The Phoenix. And in some moments he was visibly tired during the performance, while he must arrive at the StSq with enough stamina.

I'm worried for his health. A new path opens in front of him and it'd be terrible if he suffers injury now, because he is pushing harder and harder.

both versions and both outfits. I cannot choose. Maybe Dai has reduced some transitions before jumps, for a smoother and more affordable entrance.

sonabilis wrote:

Smoking hot! I complained about his high collar, but the subsequent arm movement compensates for that. He has changed it from pushing to stroking, and this is.... heyyy Dai-chan what are you doing !! ?? Do you want to kill us all?

Probably his real intention think about the ladies-judges trying to keep professional and not faint. As for myself, falling out of the chair is now a habit

Love his make-up. That touch of black mid-eyebrows... enhances his deep eyes but maybe Dai will avoid it in competition.

Meowmix has revised the sketch of StSq

The Phoenix StSq revised

Thanks for the translation sonabilis. I figured he said something along those lines.
That program is exhausting. Maybe he is right he should have kept last year SP LOL
maybe he will go back to it. We know Dai likes challengers but I believe Dai is a realist
and he knows his body well. I read somewhere that Dai was under the weather during
CaOI which would effect his stamina.

When is his next competition. Is he doing Regionals?

Shyla wrote:

Is he doing Regionals?

As far as I know, Kinki and Kanto Regionals took place last weekend. Don't know if others are scheduled and if he can compete outside his area.  Seems the last National choice  is Western Sectional in November.

2 articles by Asahi - 2 pages each - with usual info from press conference about Dai switching to ice-dance.

Asahi 1

Asahi 2

One more article. As introductio, a brief interview to Shin Amano san, ISU technical specialist and coach who in his youth switched from single to Pair

Wedge

Misha has posted the start of The Phoenix "mishage8  Art on the Ice”  #Choreo

Misha Ge on IG


New twitter trend for fans of Dai-chan  Enjoy a wonderful journey among

Rough Hair Festival  


This pic dates back to August 2017 and it was taken by Taka's wife. Dai had stayed the night at Taka's home.

Twins - just awaken    


Cuteeeeeeeeees


Open very carefully - too much beauty

Dark cloud

Does Dai really need to do Regionals to qualify for Nationals? I know it was a requirement last
season but he was on the podium at Nationals so he should have a bye to Nationals.

Not sure what JSF rules are. Well we will wait and see.

Thanks for all the updates Pattina! Love the photo of the Twins.

Shyla wrote:

Does Dai really need to do Regionals to qualify for Nationals?

AFAIK as a medal winner he would be seeded at Nationals this year, but decided to go to Sectionals anyway.

Shyla wrote:

... last year SP LOL maybe he will go back to it.

Maybe, but only as a last resort, I assume. Rather, he might try to revise Phoenix a bit.

Thanks for your thoughts Shyla and Pattina!    Just as much goes through my head...

Dai is currently being confronted with a skyrocketing iconic status.
After his amazing recent successes, the ambitious "Phoenix," plus the announcement of finishing his single skater career, he faces high expectations - from his audience, from the public, also from himself of course.
In the past, that has sometimes proven to be a trap for him. When success was greatest and expectations highest, Dai-chan became nervous and lost his confidence.

I suppose he had some good practice runthroughs of Phoenix. Of course it is different at the show, not to mention the competition. But he performed it five times in a row at FOI, two times a day! So, basically it should be possible for him.

Dai seems to have extremely sensitive "antennas". Maybe his ability to include the energy of the audience is part of it. But such high ability to perceive can also turn against him. Possibly that's part of the problem.

Just my thoughts, of course...

Anyway, I really hope he can keep his attitude "just for myself" and his desire to be incomparable in his way.  Not to keep up with a larger-than-life iconic image, but just being himself, this very special, crazy, lovely Dai-chan!      
If he succeeds in following his inner genius, as he did in Hyoen, everything else will be solved.

Sonabilis, thanks for sharing here your thoughts.

Dai-chan loosing his confidence is so typical. It's a story we have read/lived many times.

Hope, too, that he keeps the "just for myself" attitude, not pushing too much in order to meet expectations.

sonabilis wrote:

Dai seems to have extremely sensitive "antennas". Maybe his ability to include the energy of the audience is part of it.

It is so!! He can "sense the air" around him and absorbe the energy, coming from audience, but also from working partners and transforms it in high-class performance.  And it is valid also off ice: think about Love On The Floor, for instance.

Brand new!!! Posted 11 hours ago.

Benoit Richaud's instastory (saved by Daisuke Takahashi Road to Sochi)  
Dai at Kansai Uni

Dai is a rockstar, he is sexy, hot and superexciting in The Phoenix. He is illegally handsome. Anyway, this is the Dai-chan I love the most: Dai's gentle, slightly shy smile and his sincere and warm eyes that enter your heart          

Daisuke will take part at West Japan Championships (West Sectional)  November 01/04 in Otsu - Shiga Prefectural.

JSF - Entries/Result page for West Sectional

To see the Entries, click on エントリー    Dai is n. 4

JSF - Time schedule

Men Short Sat 02nd 10:55 JT   Men Free Sun 03rd 11:55 JT

Last year the drawing and opening ceremony were streamed (via instastories). Let's hope for more info soon.


Screenshots of The Phoenix        

Rock the guitar

Watch out: dangerous butt

Moving like a rockstar!

I'm too sexy and I know it!!

Head-roll gif



CaOI group

Source  https://twitter.com/Kinoshita_Sport/status/1181746851139076096



Off topic: a competition dedicated to Denis Ten  "ISU Dennis Ten Memorial Challenge" is going to take place this weekend. Aera's article about Denis Ten and the commemoration of last July. Daisuke is reported with red eyes during the ceremony at Denis Memorial.      

Asahi - Denis Ten

Instagram Kazumi Mj - new practice footage: PGG      
Supple as a cat    

Instastory Bernoit Richaud, same footage plus some pics. Unfortunately, Mr Richaud was injured while showing a step sequence, and is professionally acupunctured now
Get well soon, Mr Richaud!

Article on yahoo, including a short interview with Kenji Miyamoto, and a pic  (Be careful!)  

Some days old, but Serious gaze

Screenshot from a well-known scene  

Just jumping here to say: Sonabilis, thanks for links and thanks to Benoit for wonderful video!! (let's not forget the fan who saved it!!)

Wonderful to see Dai gliding weightless on the ice


No news, so let's fill our eyes with this  2012 amazing beauty