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Kana Muramoto

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Kana Muramoto
Muramoto at the 2016 Skate America
Born (1993-03-03) March 3, 1993 (age 31)
Akashi, Hyōgo
HometownKobe
Height1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)
Figure skating career
Country Japan
Discipline
Partner
Coach
Skating clubKansai Univ. Kaisers FSC
Highest WS
  • 13th (ice dance, 2023)
  • 79th (singles, 2012)
Event Gold medal – first place Silver medal – second place Bronze medal – third place
Four Continents Championships 0 1 1
Japan Championships 4 2 1
World Team Trophy 1 0 1
Medal list
Four Continents Championships
Silver medal – second place 2022 Tallinn Ice dance
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Taipei Ice dance
Japan Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015–16 Sapporo Ice dance
Gold medal – first place 2016–17 Osaka Ice dance
Gold medal – first place 2017–18 Tokyo Ice dance
Gold medal – first place 2022–23 Osaka Ice dance
Silver medal – second place 2020–21 Nagano Ice dance
Silver medal – second place 2021–22 Saitama Ice dance
Bronze medal – third place 2014–15 Nagano Ice dance
World Team Trophy
Gold medal – first place 2017 Tokyo Team
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Tokyo Team

Kana Muramoto (村元 哉中, Muramoto Kana, born March 3, 1993) is a retired Japanese figure skater (women's singles and ice dance). With her skating partner, Daisuke Takahashi, she is the 2022 Four Continents silver medalist, the 2022–23 Japanese national champion and the 2022 Denis Ten Memorial Challenge champion.

With her former skating partner, Chris Reed, she is the 2018 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 2017 Asian Winter Games silver medalist, and a three-time Japanese national champion (2016–2018). They competed in the final segment at five ISU Championships and the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Personal life

[edit]

Kana Muramoto was born on March 3, 1993, in Akashi, Hyōgo, Japan.[1] She is the younger sister of former figure skater Satsuki Muramoto.[2] In 2011, she graduated from Canadian Academy, an international school in Kobe, Japan.[3]

Career

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Early career

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Muramoto began learning to skate in 1998.[4] Through the 2013–2014 season, she competed in ladies' singles, coached by Mie Hamada and Yamato Tamura.[5] She won the silver medal at the 2011 Triglav Trophy and bronze at the 2011 Crystal Skate of Romania.

In the 2014–2015 season, Muramoto began appearing in ice dancing with Hiroichi Noguchi.[6] The two placed fourth at the 2014 Tallinn Trophy and took the bronze medal at the Japan Championships.

2015–2016 season: Debut of Muramoto/Reed

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On June 17, 2015, Muramoto and Chris Reed announced that they would compete together, coached by Marina Zueva, Oleg Epstein, and Massimo Scali in Canton, Michigan.[7]

Making their international debut, Muramoto/Reed placed 7th at the 2015 NHK Trophy in November. The following month, they won the Japanese national title. In January 2016, the duo took silver at the Toruń Cup in Poland. They placed 7th at the 2016 Four Continents Championships in February in Taipei, Taiwan. In March, they placed 16th in the short dance, 14th in the free dance, and 15th overall at the 2016 World Championships in Boston, Massachusetts.

2016–2017 season

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Muramoto/Reed won silver at the 2016 CS U.S. Classic in September and placed 8th at the 2016 Skate America in October. They withdrew from their November Grand Prix event, the 2016 NHK Trophy. After winning their second national title, the duo took bronze at the 2017 Toruń Cup.

In February, Muramoto/Reed placed 9th at the 2017 Four Continents Championships in Gangneung, South Korea, and won silver at the 2017 Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan. In March, they placed 23rd in the short dance at the 2017 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. As a result, they did not advance to the final segment and missed qualifying for the Olympics.

2017–2018 season: Pyeongchang Olympics

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Muramoto/Reed began their season in September, taking bronze at the 2017 CS U.S. Classic. At the end of the month, they competed at the 2017 Nebelhorn Trophy, the final qualifying opportunity for the Olympics. The two won the silver medal and secured one Olympic spot in the ice dance discipline for Japan. In November, they appeared at a pair of Grand Prix events, finishing 9th at the 2017 NHK Trophy and 7th at the 2017 Skate America. [8] They then won their third national title, outscoring the silver medalists by nearly 17 points.

In January, Muramoto/Reed won the bronze medal at the 2018 Four Continents Championships in Taipei, Taiwan. In February, they competed at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.[9] They placed 15th in the short dance, 13th in the free dance, and 15th overall. The following month, they finished 11th at the 2018 World Championships in Milan, Italy.

2018–2019 season: End of Muramoto/Reed

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Muramoto/Reed were assigned to the 2018 NHK Trophy and 2018 Rostelecom Cup. However, on August 9, 2018, Japanese news media reported that they had ended their partnership and that Muramoto planned to search for a new partner.[10]

2020–2021 season: Debut of Muramoto/Takahashi

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In September 2019, Muramoto formed a new partnership with former Japanese singles skater Daisuke Takahashi, with plans to debut in the fall of 2020.[11] The decision of Takahashi, a former Olympic bronze medalist and World champion in men's singles, to switch to ice dance attracted considerable media attention both in Japan and abroad. The two began training in Florida under Marina Zoueva, the coach of Olympic champions Virtue/Moir and Davis/White.[12]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Grand Prix was assigned based primarily on geographic location. Muramoto/Takahashi nevertheless traveled from Florida to Japan to make their debut at the 2020 NHK Trophy, in a field consisting of only three Japanese dance teams. They were second in the rhythm dance, narrowly ahead of reigning national silver medalists Fukase/Zhang but some six points behind the reigning national champions, Komatsubara/Koleto.[13] In the free dance, Takahashi fell out of his second set of twizzles, which combined with missed levels of some lift elements to drop them to third place. Winning the bronze medal, he called his mistakes unusual, even in practice sessions, but a part of actually competing. Muramoto said she felt they could do better at their next competition.[14]

Making their Japan Championships debut, Muramoto/Takahashi placed second in the rhythm dance, less than four points behind Komatsubara/Koleto.[15] They were third in the free dance after Takahashi fell out of a lift and made several other errors, but won the silver medal overall due to Fukase/Cho also making errors.[16] They were named as first alternates to the World team.[17] In February, they were forced to withdraw as alternates due to a knee injury to Muramoto and were replaced by bronze medalists Fukase/Cho.[18]

2021–2022 season: Four Continents silver

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Muramoto/Takahashi were again assigned to begin the season at the 2021 NHK Trophy, their lone assignment on the Grand Prix for the year. Sixth in both segments, they were sixth overall, defeating domestic rivals Komatsubara/Koleto by 7.30 points. Both expressed satisfaction with the results, but Takahashi said, "there is still a large gap we want to close to the top teams."[19] They went on to win a silver medal at the 2021 CS Warsaw Cup.[20]

The 2021–22 Japan Championships, the final national qualification event for the 2022 Winter Olympics, pitted Muramoto/Takahashi against Komatsubara/Koleto for the second time that season. Muramoto and Takahashi both fell in the rhythm dance, as a result placing second in that segment, five points back of their rivals. They won the free dance but took the silver medal overall for the second consecutive year and were subsequently named as alternates for the Japanese Olympic team. They were instead assigned to make their World Championship debut later in the season and were named to compete at the Four Continents Championships as well.[21]

Muramoto/Takahashi won the silver medal at Four Continents, placing second in both segments. Muramoto, reflecting on her prior medal at the event, said, "I share precious memories with Chris regarding ice dancing, and we were also aiming for a victory. But I am also very happy that I was able to reach the podium with Dai and compete with the world."[22]

The team concluded the season at the 2022 World Championships, held in Montpellier with Russian dance teams absent due to the International Skating Union banning all Russian athletes due to their country's invasion of Ukraine. Qualifying to the free dance, Muramoto/Takahashi finished sixteenth.[23]

2022–2023 season: First international gold

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At the end of May, Muramoto/Takahashi confirmed that they would continue through the 2022–2023 season.[24]

After a sixth-place finish at the 2022 Skate America, they went on to compete at the 2022 CS Denis Ten Memorial Challenge, where they earned their first gold medal as a team.[25] They then finished sixth at the 2022 NHK Trophy, their second Grand Prix.[26]

At the 2022–23 Japan Championships, Muramoto/Takahashi became national champions for the first time and were subsequently named to compete at the 2023 World Championships and at the 2023 Four Continents Championships.[27]

The team encountered difficulties at the Four Continents Championships, beginning in the rhythm dance, where Muramoto fell in the midst of their midline step element.[28] Takahashi fell twice in the second half of their free dance. They finished ninth at the event, behind domestic rivals Komatsubara/Koleto.[29] At the 2023 World Championships, held on home ice in Saitama, Muramoto/Takahashi finished in eleventh place. Muramoto opined afterward that "this season has been really tough, but I am very happy."[30]

Muramoto/Takahashi were Team Japan's dance entry at the 2023 World Team Trophy, coming fourth in the rhythm dance.[31] They were fifth in the free dance, setting a new personal best in the segment and in total score. Muramoto said that they were undecided about continuing for another year and would discuss it while touring.[32] Team Japan won the bronze medal.[33] They announced their decision to retire in May 2023.[34]

Post-competitive career

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Since retiring from competitive figure skating, Muramoto has choreographed programs for several skaters.[35] Her clients have included:

Programs

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With Takahashi

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Season Rhythm dance Free dance Exhibition
2022–2023
[44]
2021–2022
[45]
2020–2021
[46]

With Reed

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Season Short dance Free dance Exhibition
2017–2018
[4] 		Ryuichi Sakamoto medley[47]
2016–2017
[48] 		Ray Charles medley Poeta medley
  • Poeta en el Puerto
  • Amor Dulce Muerte
  • Nada Puede Dormir
  • Poeta en el Viento
    by Vicente Amigo
2015–2016
[1] 		Robert Stolz medley
  • Waltz: Wiener Café
  • March: Olympiamarsch
  • March: UNO-Marsch
    by Robert Stolz

With Noguchi

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Season Short dance Free dance
2014–2015

Ladies' singles

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Season Short program Free skating
2011–2012
2010–2011
[5]

Competitive highlights

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GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

With Takahashi

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International[20]
Event 20–21 21–22 22–23
Worlds 16th 11th
Four Continents 2nd 9th
GP NHK Trophy 3rd 6th 6th
GP Skate America 6th
CS Denis Ten MC 1st
CS Warsaw Cup 2nd
National[20]
Japan Champ. 2nd 2nd 1st
Team events
World Team Trophy 3rd T
4th P
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew;
T: Team result; P: Personal result.
Medals are awarded for team result only.

With Reed

[edit]
International[49]
Event 15–16 16–17 17–18 18–19
Olympics 15th
Worlds 15th 23rd 11th
Four Continents 7th 9th 3rd
GP NHK Trophy 7th WD 9th WD
GP Skate America 8th 7th
CS Nebelhorn 2nd
CS U.S. Classic 2nd 3rd
Asian Games 2nd
Toruń Cup 2nd 3rd
National[50]
Japan Champ. 1st 1st 1st
Team events
Olympics 5th T
5th P
World Team
Trophy		 1st T
5th P
WD = Withdrew
T = Team result; P = Personal result.
Medals awarded for team result only.

With Noguchi

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International[51]
Event 2014–15
Tallinn Trophy 4th
National[51]
Japan Championships 3rd

Ladies' singles

[edit]
International[52]
Event 02–03 03–04 04–05 05–06 06–07 07–08 08–09 09–10 10–11 11–12 12–13 13–14
Challenge Cup 7th
Crystal Skate 3rd
Cup of Nice 4th
Merano Cup 7th
Triglav Trophy 2nd
International: Junior[52]
JGP Belarus 3rd
JGP France 17th
National[53][54]
Japan 17th 10th 10th 16th 17th
Japan Junior 8th 12th
Japan Novice 6th B 2nd B 4th A
Levels: A = Novice A; B = Novice B; N = Novice; J = Junior

Detailed results

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With Takahashi

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2022–23 season
Date Event RD FD Total
April 13–16, 2023 2023 World Team Trophy 4
78.38 		5
116.63 		3T/4P
195.01
March 20–26, 2023 2023 World Championships 11
72.92 		10
115.95 		11
188.87
February 7–12, 2023 2023 Four Continents Championships 7
64.59 		9
95.65 		9
160.24
December 21–25, 2022 2022–23 Japan Championships 1
77.70 		1
108.91 		1
186.61
November 18–20, 2022 2022 NHK Trophy 5
75.10 		7
103.68 		6
178.78
October 26-29, 2022 2022 Denis Ten Memorial 1
79.56 		1
108.74 		1
188.30
October 21-23, 2022 2022 Skate America 5
69.67 		6
100.01 		6
169.68
2021–22 season
Date Event RD FD Total
March 21–27, 2022 2022 World Championships 16
67.77 		15
96.48 		16
164.25
January 18–23, 2022 2022 Four Continents Championships 2
72.43 		2
109.48 		2
181.91
December 22–26, 2021 2021–22 Japan Championships 2
63.35 		1
112.96 		2
176.31
November 17–20, 2021 2021 CS Warsaw Cup 2
75.87 		2
114.29 		2
190.16
November 12–14, 2021 2021 NHK Trophy 6
70.74 		6
108.76 		6
179.50
2020–21 season
Date Event RD FD Total
December 24–27, 2020 2020–21 Japan Championships 2
67.83 		3
84.03 		2
151.86
November 27–29, 2020 2020 NHK Trophy 2
64.15 		3
93.10 		3
157.25

References

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  1. ^ a b "Kana MURAMOTO / Chris REED: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ "Reunited". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  3. ^ "CA Review Fall 2011". Issuu. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
  4. ^ a b "Kana MURAMOTO / Chris REED: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ a b "Kana MURAMOTO: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011.
  6. ^ "Kana MURAMOTO / Hiroichi NOGUCHI: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015.
  7. ^ "木原龍一は須崎海羽、クリス・リードは村元哉中とペア". Sponichi (in Japanese). June 18, 2015. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ a b Flade, Tatjana (2 December 2017). "'Cherry blossom' time for Japan's Muramoto and Reed". Golden Skate.
  9. ^ "Athlete Profile - Kana MURAMOTO". pyeongchang2018.com. 2018-06-19. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. ^ "アイスダンス平昌五輪代表 村元哉中とクリス・リードがペア解消「方向性の違い」". sponichi.co.jp (in Japanese). August 9, 2018. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018.
  11. ^ Binner, Andrew (September 26, 2019). "Daisuke Takahashi forms new figure skating team with Kana Muramoto". Olympic Channel.
  12. ^ Zaccardi, Nick (November 24, 2020). "Daisuke Takahashi starts anew, eyeing unprecedented Olympic figure skating feat". NBC Sports.
  13. ^ Slater, Paula (November 27, 2020). "Komatsubara and Koleto in front at NHK Trophy". Golden Skate.
  14. ^ Slater, Paula (November 28, 2020). "Komatsubara and Koleto dance to first Grand Prix title at 2020 NHK Trophy". Golden Skate.
  15. ^ Slater, Paula (December 26, 2020). "Defending champions Komatsubara and Koleto lead in ice dance at Japanese Nationals". Golden Skate.
  16. ^ Slater, Paula (December 27, 2020). "Komatsubara and Komatsubara win third consecutive title at Japanese Nationals". Golden Skate.
  17. ^ "ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2021" (PDF) (in Japanese). Japan Skating Federation. December 28, 2020.
  18. ^ "2020/21 フィギュアスケート国際競技会派遣選手" [2020/21 Figure Skating International Competition Dispatched Player] (in Japanese). Japan Skating Federation. February 24, 2021.
  19. ^ Slater, Paula (November 13, 2021). "Sinitsina and Katsalapov take fourth Grand Prix medal at NHK Trophy". Golden Skate.
  20. ^ a b c "Competition Results: Kana MURAMOTO / Daisuke TAKAHASHI". International Skating Union.
  21. ^ Slater, Paula (December 25, 2021). "Komatsubara and Komatsubara defend Japanese National title". Golden Skate.
  22. ^ Slater, Paula (January 21, 2022). "Green and Parsons feel 'incredible' after Four Continents win". Golden Skate.
  23. ^ Campigotto, Jesse (March 22, 2022). "Get ready for a bizarre figure skating world championships". CBC Sports.
  24. ^ @kanadaiteamofficial (May 27, 2022). "かなだいチームオフィシャルアカウント初投稿です！" [This is the first post from the Kanadai Official Team Account!] – via Instagram.
  25. ^ "村元哉中、高橋大輔組が国際大会初制覇 合計１８８・３０点マーク デニステン・メモリアル・チャレンジ" [Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi win their first international tournament with a total of 188.30 points at Denis Ten Memorial Challenge]. スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  26. ^ "Ice Dance favorites floored as Fournier Beaudry/Soerensen (CAN) grab maiden Grand Prix gold at NHK Trophy". International Skating Union. November 19, 2022.
  27. ^ Mitsuoka, Maria-Laura (December 24, 2022). "Muramoto and Takahashi claim first national title". Golden Skate.
  28. ^ Dombrowski, Judith (February 10, 2023). "Chock and Bates dance to personal best". Golden Skate.
  29. ^ Dombrowski, Judith (February 12, 2023). "Chock and Bates win third Four Continents title". Golden Skate.
  30. ^ Gallagher, Jack (March 26, 2023). "Shoma Uno Wins Second Straight World Title Despite Free Skate Struggles". Japan Forward.
  31. ^ Mitsuoka, Maria-Lauria (April 13, 2023). "Team USA takes lead at World Team Trophy". Golden Skate.
  32. ^ Mitsuoka, Maria-Lauria (April 14, 2023). "Team USA maintains lead in Tokyo; Korea and Japan follow". Golden Skate.
  33. ^ Mitsuoka, Maria-Lauria (April 16, 2023). "Team USA takes fifth World Team Trophy". Golden Skate.
  34. ^ "Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi to promote ice dance after retiring". The Japan Times. The Japan Times. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  35. ^ "2024年6月号　連載 フィギュアスケートと音楽～華麗なる舞台の裏側～Vol.3 村元哉中さん・高橋大輔さんインタビュー(後編)". Chopin. Chopin. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  36. ^ "Riria KONO: 2024/2025". International Skating Union. International Skating Union. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  37. ^ a b "フィギュア 2024-2025女子新プログラム一覧【坂本花織・千葉百音・三原舞依 等】". Figure Skating Japan. Figure Skating Japan. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  38. ^ "Shunsuke NAKAMURA: 2024/2025". International Skating Union. International Skating Union. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  39. ^ Muramoto, Kana. "Freya RidingsのPoison". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  40. ^ "4/10(水)木下アカデミー🍵公開合宿⛸ 『今回合宿に参加できて光栄です❗️』". X. Online on Ice. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  41. ^ "https://figureskatejapan.com/data/new-program-women2023-2024.html#google_vignette". Figure Skate Japan. Figure Skate Japan. Retrieved 5 October 2024. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  42. ^ "Sena TAKAHASHI: 2024/2025". International Skating Union. International Skating Union. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  43. ^ "友野一希連載「2024-25シーズン開幕インタビュー＆練習レポート」【 #トモノのモノ語り。】vol.40". Nonno. Nonno. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  44. ^ "Kana MURAMOTO / Daisuke TAKAHASHI: 2022/2023". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 12, 2022.
  45. ^ "Kana MURAMOTO / Daisuke TAKAHASHI: 2021/2022". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021.
  46. ^ "Kana MURAMOTO / Daisuke TAKAHASHI: 2020/2021". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020.
  47. ^ a b "木下グループ presents スターズ・オン・アイス 2018 (Special)". TBS 2. 21 April 2018.
  48. ^ "Kana MURAMOTO / Chris REED: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 30, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  49. ^ "Competition Results: Kana MURAMOTO / Chris REED". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018.
  50. ^ "村元 哉中 クリス リード" [MURAMOTO Kana / Chris REED] (in Japanese). Japan Skating Federation. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  51. ^ a b "Competition Results: Kana MURAMOTO / Hiroichi NOGUCHI". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016.
  52. ^ a b "Competition Results: Kana MURAMOTO". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014.
  53. ^ "Muramoto Kana". Japan Skating Federation. Archived from the original on May 29, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  54. ^ "Japan Skating Federation Official Results & Data Site". Japan Skating Federation. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
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