Sad news today as talented ice dance team Kana Muramoto / Daisuke Takahashi announce their retirement. Hochi.news reported on a video uploaded by the team:
“The pair uploaded a video, with Takahashi saying: ‘I have something to report to you all. I have been asked many questions by many people, but I was looking for the right time to make an announcement, so I thought I would make an announcement at this time. I have decided to retire from competitive life after this season”. A press conference will be held on the 2nd.
An insta-live for fans is also planned from 8pm on the 2nd.”
This news was also confirmed by World Figure Skating Japan on Twitter:
The Hochi.news article goes on to say:
“After retiring from singles skating, Takahashi formed an ice dance couple with Muramoto in 2020 and switched to ice dance. They started a new challenge together as “Kana Dai”.
In the 2022-2023 season, their third season together, they won their first victory at the 2023 All-Japan Championships, and in March, at the World Championships, they finished 11th, the highest ever for Japanese skaters, and in April, at the national competitions, they closed the season on a high note, setting a new personal best in the free dance “Phantom of the Opera”.
After the final competition of the season, Takahashi said of his future, “I have ice shows and events coming up, so I’ll think about it in the meantime”. Also, at the end of the day, he revealed an episode in which he was praised by a judge: “(The judge) said, ‘You finally became an ice dancer. You’ll continue, right?” He said, “The judge said to me, ‘You finally became an ice dancer. I was really happy to hear that they saw me as an ice dancer, not as singles skater Daisuke Takahashi, and I think it showed their appreciation for what we have done.”
It’s a pity to see such a wonderful ice dance team decide to retire, and so far, no reason has been made public. But hopefully we’ll learn more at the press conference.
We’ll post updates as more details become available!
