An enthusiastic commentary. As I'm not English native speaking, I cannot say I understand all he says, but for sure I understand this guy loves Dai's skating so much, like all of us
(DeepL translation) »After participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony prior to the opening of the facility (on 13th), they showed their practice to the press for the first time outside of the competition period. Dressed in black training wear, they carefully checked detailed movements of lifts, twizzles, and fin steps. During the song practice, they skated the RD song "Mask" and the FD song "La Bayadere" together."« .... »There were times when Takahashi alone performed, and Muramoto watched and instructed him like a teacher. With smiles and serious expressions on their faces, the practice got intense and lasted more than an hour.«
Takahashi: Figure skating used to be a women's sport. But the number of people who want to skate has been increasing, but the number of rinks has been decreasing. But recently, more rinks are being built, and I'm really grateful for the environment. The rink meets international standards, so it's possible for professional skaters to use it. If more and more facilities like this are built, I think there will be more good skaters.
--Does your coach plan to visit Japan before the All-Japan Championships (24-27, Nagano)?
Muramoto: We are expecting Coach Oleg to visit us. But it's not certain.
Takahashi: We have no choice but to do it (even without a coach). We can do it remotely now.
Muramoto: We take videos and watch them together. If we don't watch it, we won't know what we need to correct. Then, as much as possible, we send them to the other side (the coaches in Florida) every day. Then they call me and give me a lot of guidance.
Takahashi: After skating for an hour or so, they would say, "No! (laughs)«
Number of posts : 2462 Registration date : 2011-12-10
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Thu Dec 10, 2020 7:03 pm
Thank you sonabilis, such a nice treat to wake up to! Gorgeous photos!
Fingers crossed that their coach can come to Nationals.
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sonabilis 1A
Number of posts : 491 Registration date : 2019-03-16
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Fri Dec 11, 2020 11:19 am
There is a flood of articles and many more photos about the ice rink opening in Chiba. And look, Shyla, who else was there at Kanadai's open practice session You guessed right, he's helping them.
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PATTINA 4T
Number of posts : 3551 Registration date : 2013-03-30
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Fri Dec 11, 2020 11:54 am
Thank you sonabilis for the updates. Yesterday was a very busy working day at the pc so when I stopped a strong headache prevented me from usual evening web-surfing. Therefore now I'm in Dai-Heaven
Yes, there is a flood of articles and pics. We can finally fill our eyes and hearts
And to you all, have a nice Daiday and stay safe and healthy
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sonabilis 1A
Number of posts : 491 Registration date : 2019-03-16
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Thu Dec 17, 2020 5:01 am
Long article in NumberWeb about KanaDai's open practice on Dec. 10. The author is Yoshie Noguchi, a sports journalist, and according to his profile he has experience with figure skating himself, so he really has insight into the subject. He goes into details a lot, and also quotes larger parts of Kana's & Dai's statements from the subsequent interview.
Utako Nagamitsu sensei about Dai's first steps as an ice dancer. She is really a wonderful person. It makes smile and is touching as well how sometimes motherly feelings come over her
Number of posts : 3551 Registration date : 2013-03-30
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Fri Dec 18, 2020 11:52 am
Thank you sonabilis for providing links and translations.
Noguchi san's article is rich in details; I bet noone among media people expected a real 90 minutes practice session I love how Kana/Dai reacted to some critics with more and more efforts aiming to "audience involving" performances at Nats, thus expressing their sport ethic and love for figure skating.
Utako sensei's words moved me with her tender love for Dai-chan. The "family things" about the food and her anxiety at the rink during the NHK Trophy are like precious gems
From Kujita Kori san, the gym trainer, posted few days ago
Number of posts : 2462 Registration date : 2011-12-10
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Fri Dec 18, 2020 8:47 pm
We are getting so much content that I am in Kana/Dai-Heaven. Utako's words are so sweet, she truly loves Dai you can hear it in her words and see it in her eyes. Dai's fans and Aunties understand her worry I know I was concerned at first when he switched to ID, not anymore after seeing him at NHK. Dai really is one of kind.
Thanks Pattina and sonabilis for all of the updated goodies!
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sonabilis 1A
Number of posts : 491 Registration date : 2019-03-16
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Mon Dec 21, 2020 7:14 am
The ISU guidelines for RD in season 2021/22, published on 3.Sept - don't know if it has been posted here yet? Street Dance Rhythms!! Nice - So they don't revive the waltz theme first intended for current season. I didn't find the related tweet anymore, but it commented something like: this puts the ISU pretty at odds with their maxim that ice dance is nothing but ballroom dance on skates
"SkyCourt presents Kana Muramoto/Daisuke Takahashi's 2021 First Skating Special!" Sadly only available on pay TV channel Eplus They have an exciting idea: Kana gets a bodycam, and the audience is promised an "ice dance experience from Kana's perspective." Also "talk corner" (of course), and announcement of a new K/D logo. Supposed to be a long show, 90 min at least. Hopefully, we'll at least get to see some bits and pieces of it.
JNats are really round the corner Official training will start in a couple of days so I hope we'll have tv news and press releases about official practice.
I'm not sure, but I remember reading that FujiTV will not air Ice Dance live on terrestrial channel, but only on their pay-channel. I hope we'll have some videos somehow.
Stay safe and healthy. And send good vibration to Kana/Dai
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sonabilis 1A
Number of posts : 491 Registration date : 2019-03-16
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Tue Dec 22, 2020 3:12 pm
Oh yes Pattina, the puppy pose Just Dai, once again. Fans did some pic juxtapositions --- "championships of style switching", someone commented: ----1 --- 2 ---
Pattina wrote:
I remember reading that FujiTV will not air Ice Dance live on terrestrial channel, but only on their pay-channel.
So it is. Current FujiTV schedule -
screenshot of translated page :
(click on the text to open/close) On Sunday 27th the schedule is similar.
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Something nice and instructive: Finnstep with Anna and Luca I discovered this channel only yesterday, highly recommended for all skating lovers! This guy was an active skater himself, he films on skates with a specially adapted steadicam, and of course an expert eye. The results are spectacular. I wish one day also K/D's performances would be filmed like this.
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PATTINA 4T
Number of posts : 3551 Registration date : 2013-03-30
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Wed Dec 23, 2020 11:42 am
Really interesting video by Oneiceperspectives. And of course I'm happy he choose Italian dancers Anna & Luca (I miss them so much). Video is in super slow motion, nevertheless it's hard to keep eyes on blades and catch all the small details. Really hard dance pattern for the debut of our lovely boy.
Number of posts : 491 Registration date : 2019-03-16
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Thu Dec 24, 2020 3:14 pm
Wow these pics! They both seem to be in great spirits
(Btw pleased to see Shoma in the pic series. He seems composed and confident. Suits him very well!)
Tokyo Sports article with some excerpts from press conference after official practice. Dai explains why he changed the costume.
Translation:
On 24th, the official practice for the Figure Skating All-Japan Championships (opening on 25th, at Big Hat, Nagano) was held, and the hottest ice dance couple, "Kanadai" Kana Muramoto (27) and Daisuke Takahashi (34), both of KFSC, practiced on the rink.
During the rhythm dance, they carefully checked the steps which were slightly changed from the NHK Cup. After the practice, Takahashi said: "In the last competition, I was so nervous because it was the first time, and I couldn't practice calmly, but this time, I was able to practice composed and aggressively, and I think I'm off to a great start. He smiled with satisfaction.
On the other hand, Muramoto, whose ice dance debut was held at the same venue, said, "It feels so nostalgic. This is my All-Japan debut with Dai-chan. It's a rink where I have many good memories, the atmosphere is great, and the ice is very smooth.
As for the rhythm dance this time, "We changed many steps and choreography from NHK Cup. Can't wait to see how it looks." At the NHK Cup, Takahashi wore a white shirt, tie and yellow pants, inspired by Jim Carrey, the lead actor in the 90's comedy film "Mask", which is also the theme of the rhythm dance, but this time he wore a yellow shirt and black pants. The reason for this change was revealed by Takahashi who said, "Hahahaha, yes! The last time I wore it, it had a great impact, but I thought I'd change it to make it more coherent with Kana-chan's outfit."
He seemed to have thought about the harmony with Muramoto's silver and bronze skirt. And there was one more major reason: "I wanted to make my style a little better... (laughs). The body lines (last time) looked shapeless in white, yellow, and black, and didn't look very big. This time, I changed the costume so that it looks a little bigger. I'm looking forward to seeing the video later to see what it looks like. "
Wearing the new costume, "Kanadai" will make her All-Japan debut in rhythm dance at 3:30 p.m. on the 26th.
Btw good that all competitors are tested C-negative! The Russian Championships, by contrast, will have to take place without many of the top skaters bc there's a shocking COVID wave circulating among them
*
A few clips and gifs I found yesterday, before they get buried under the news avalanche. Footage must be some weeks old and partially were aired then, esp. the workout. The snack break clip was new to me.
Number of posts : 515 Registration date : 2014-03-01
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Thu Dec 24, 2020 11:15 pm
Hi Pattina, Shyla, Sonabilis and everyone that's reading but not posting. Just stopping by to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and to thank you for continuing to post all the latest news. Sending you extra big holiday hugs!
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Shyla 4F
Number of posts : 2462 Registration date : 2011-12-10
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Fri Dec 25, 2020 7:11 am
Merry Christmas to Everyone!!!!
Merry Christmas to KanaDai and Best of Luck in the RD!!!!!
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sonabilis 1A
Number of posts : 491 Registration date : 2019-03-16
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Fri Dec 25, 2020 1:12 pm
Hello everyone,
Kana & Dai seem to have used their morning off for a little trip with their coach Oleg Epstein: k.a.n.a.m.u.r.a IGStory
From the Fuji TV special a few short clips, thanks to the fans for posting!
Statement from Dai, possibly some kind of closing words. And smiling He said he's now making his debut as an ice dancer at the Nats at age 34 and wants to enjoy it. Not many people get to experience that, so he's confident in a sense. --- What he said after that I can't get translated in a way that makes sense. Something about a natural monument.... Hopefully there are some helpful fans.
EDT One more clip, in advanced stage, they are already practicing on both programs. The comments of the coaches!
PATTINA 4T
Number of posts : 3551 Registration date : 2013-03-30
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Sat Dec 26, 2020 12:48 pm
Kana/Dai are in second place after RD, with a total score of 67.83 (TES 38.51 PCS 29.32)
Still no keypoints for Dai in the Finn Step, but level 4 in twizzels. Pity only level 2 in Dai's partial step sequence
A bit of drama this morning during practice: they fell backward and Dai had all his weigh on Kana's knee, which was iced. But luckily it seems this has not affected their skating. I could watch in streaming and they were brilliant and sparkling.
EDIT - This is the Chinese channel broadcasting the event from FujiTV - the pay-channel not the terrestrial. Apologize because I did not post it earlier, but I discovered the news just when the competition started. So I think you can use it to watch the FD tomorrow
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sonabilis 1A
Number of posts : 491 Registration date : 2019-03-16
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Sat Dec 26, 2020 5:15 pm
Bravi!!! Congratulations to an impressive and pleasant Nats debut!!
As announced, they performed with "bite" and delivered a great show. What a treat! Luckily I overslept the drama at practice, I would have died. Brave, Kana, and admirable how they both handled it! Very satisfactory rating as well
Have a great day everyone, and fingers crossed that Kana's knee allows them to skate tomorrow
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Shyla 4F
Number of posts : 2462 Registration date : 2011-12-10
Subject: Re: News and Topics 2020 Sat Dec 26, 2020 10:07 pm
I am so happy this morning. I did watch it live last night but I was so exhausted when it was over I had to sleep. What a greatly improved performance, loved it! I knew about the injury to Kana and she was limping a little coming off the ice, Bravo to her for her determination to skate.
Congrats to Shoma for winning the Silver medal, a couple of little mistakes but over all well done for his first competition of the season.
Wonderful photos, wonderful smiles 
I love how Kana/Dai reacted to some critics with more and more efforts aiming to "audience involving" performances at Nats, thus expressing their sport ethic and love for figure skating.
- So they don't revive the waltz theme first intended for current season.
