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Chris Reed
クリス・リード
Photos – Olympics 2018 – Dance (MURAMOTO Kana REED Chris JPN – 15th Place) (10).jpg
Reed with Muramoto at the 2018 Winter Olympics
Personal information
Country represented  Japan
Born (1989-07-07)July 7, 1989
Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
Died March 14, 2020(2020-03-14) (aged 30)
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Home town Warren Township, New Jersey
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Former partner Kana Muramoto, Cathy Reed
Coach Marina Zueva, Oleg Eipstein, Massimo Scali, Johnny Johns
Former coach Galit Chait Moracci, Alexei Gorshkov, Tyler Myles, John Kerr, Inese Bucevica, Shae-Lynn Bourne, Nikolai Morozov, Mathew Gates, Valter Rizzo, Andrew Stroukoff, Susan Kelley
Choreographer Marina Zueva, Massimo Scali
Former choreographer Igor Shpilband, Patti Wilcox, Galit Chait, Inese Bucevica, Nikolai Morozov
Skating club Arctic Edge FSC
Kinoshita Club Tokyo
Former skating club Kawagoe Figure Skating Club
Training locations Canton, Michigan
Former training locations Hackensack, New Jersey
Began skating 1994
Retired 31 December 2019
ISU personal best scores
Combined total 164.38
2018 Worlds
Short dance: 65.65
2018 Worlds
Free dance 98.73
2018 Worlds
Medal record
Figure skating: Ice dancing
Representing  Japan
Four Continents Championships
Bronze 2018 Taipei Ice dancing
World Team Trophy
Gold 2017 Tokyo Team
Gold 2012 Tokyo Team
Bronze 2015 Tokyo Team
Bronze 2013 Tokyo Team
Bronze 2009 Tokyo Team
Asian Winter Games
Silver 2017 Sapporo Ice dancing
Silver 2011 Astana-Almaty Ice dancing
Japanese name
Kana クリス・リード

Chris Reed (July 7, 1989 – March 14, 2020) was an American-born Japanese ice dancer. With his sister Cathy Reed, he became a seven-time Japanese national champion (2008–2011, 2013–2015) and the 2011 Asian Winter Games silver medalist. They competed at two Winter Olympics (2010, 2014) and reached the final segment at nine ISU Championships.

With Kana Muramoto, Reed was 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.

Early life

Chris Reed was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His mother was Japanese and his father was American. Reed had two skating siblings: his elder sister, Cathy, with whom he competed in ice dancing; and his younger sister Allison Reed, who is also an ice dancer. The siblings grew up in Warren Township, New Jersey. Reed acquired Japanese and American dual citizenship at birth until the age of 21, when he chose to retain Japanese citizenship, since Japanese nationality law only recognizes dual nationality until the age of 21.

Career

Partnership with Cathy Reed

Chris and Cathy Reed initially began with singles skating, before deciding to skate together when Cathy was 12. They approached Shae-Lynn Bourne and she became their coach, along with Nikolai Morozov, who choreographed their first program. They trained in Hackensack, New Jersey. The Reeds won the novice ice dancing title at the 2006 U.S. Championships. They decided to represent Japan beginning in the 2006–07 season. While novice national champions are usually given a chance to compete on the Junior Grand Prix, Cathy Reed was too old at the time of their win to compete as a junior internationally. The Reeds accepted an offer to compete for Japan, advancing immediately to the senior level.

After advancing to the senior level, they placed fourth at the 2006 Golden Spin of Zagreb, and second at the 2007 Japan Championships behind Nozomi Watanabe and Akiyuki Kido. At the 2007 Four Continents, they placed 7th, ahead of several teams who had been competing as seniors much longer.

Reed underwent knee surgery twice after tearing the meniscus in his knee, and later tearing the medial collateral ligament. He was off the ice for five months.

Making their Grand Prix debut, the Reeds placed 9th at the 2007 Skate America and 8th at the 2007 NHK Trophy. They won the Japanese national championships. They repeated their 7th-place finish at the Four Continents, and then placed 16th at the 2008 Worlds. They represented Japan at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, finishing in 17th place. They won the silver medal at the 2011 Asian Winter Games.

The Reeds finished 5th at both the NHK Trophy and Skate America during the 2012–13 season. They were named in the Japanese team to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, and 2015 Worlds, where they finished outside the top 20.

After the 2014–15 figure skating season, Cathy Reed retired from competitive figure skating.

2015–2016 season: Beginning of partnership with Muramoto

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

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

Muramoto/Reed won silver at the 2016 CS U.S. Classic in September with personal best scores, and placed 8th at the 2016 Skate America in October. They withdrew from the 2016 NHK Trophy due to a knee injury Reed suffered two weeks prior. 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

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 an Olympic spot for Japan. In November, they appeared at a pair of Grand Prix events, finishing 9th at the 2018 NHK Trophy and 7th at the 2017 Skate America. 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. 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, which was the best result of any Japanese ice team.

2018–2019 season

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. The Japanese federation confirmed the split, which Muramoto attributed to "differences in direction". Both Muramoto and Reed planned to seek new partners and continue competing. Reed posted a statement on his social media: "I am hugely disappointed with how this partnership has ended, but regardless I am in great physical condition now, I'm not done yet, I do plan on continuing the pursuit of achieving greater heights for Japan in ice dance. I would like to thank everyone involved, your support will never be forgotten and I will work even harder. And for Kana I wish her all the best in her future endeavors." On December 31, 2019, Reed announced his retirement.

Death

On March 17, 2020, Reed's sister Allison announced on social media that he had died. The Japan Skating Federation confirmed Reed died in Detroit, Michigan, on March 14, 2020, due to sudden cardiac arrest. President of the JSF, Akihisa Nagashima paid tribute to him: "I am absolutely stunned by the sad news. I would like to offer my deepest appreciation to Chris Reed for his contribution to Japanese ice dancing over the years and extend condolences to his family. May Mr. Reed rest in peace."

A memorial service was held at a Michigan funeral home on March 21, 2020, and was publicly live-streamed on numerous platforms. Reed's sister Cathy paid tribute to him in both Japanese and English: "I miss your voice. I miss your big smile. I miss holding your hand. But I'll be strong for you, Chris."

Programs

2010 World Figure Skating Championships Dance - Cathy REED - Chris REED - 2455A
Chris and Cathy Reed at the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships

With Kana Muramoto

Season Short dance Free dance Exhibition
2017–2018
  • Cha Cha: I Like It Like That
    by Tony Pabon, Manny Rodriguez
    performed by Pete Rodriguez
  • Rhumba: Mondo Bongo
    by Joe Strummer
  • Samba: Batucada de Sambrasil
    by Estudios Talkback
  • The Last Emperor
    by Ryuichi Sakamoto
  • Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
    by Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto medley
  • The Last Emperor
  • Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

2016–2017
Ray Charles medley
  • Blues: The Sun's Gonna Shine Again
  • Jive: I Got a Woman
  • Swing: Mess Around
    performed by Ray Charles
Poeta medley
  • Poeta en el Puerto
  • Amor Dulce Muerte
  • Nada Puede Dormir
  • Poeta en el Viento
    by Vicente Amigo
2015–2016
Robert Stolz medley
  • Waltz: Wiener Café
  • March: Olympiamarsch
  • March: UNO-Marsch
    by Robert Stolz

With Cathy Reed

Season Short dance Free dance Exhibition
2014–2015
  • Flamenco: El Cid: Farruca
    by Thomas Hickstein, Elva La Guardia
  • Paso Doble: Gato Montes
    by Hugo Montenegro
  • River Flows in You
    by Yiruma
2013–2014
  • Quickstep: Puttin' On the Ritz
    by Irving Berlin
  • Foxtrot: Harlem Nocturne
    by Earle Hagen
  • Quickstep: Puttin' On the Ritz
    by Irving Berlin
  • Ona Hei
    (from Total War: Shogun 2)
    by Jeff van Dyck
  • Bitter Sweet Water
    (from Hell Girl Mitsuganae)
    by Hiromi Mizutani
  • Good Death
    (from Total War: Shogun 2)
    by Jeff van Dyck
  • Ona Hei
    (from Total War: Shogun 2)
    by Jeff van Dyck

  • Onmyoji
    by Shigeru Umebayashi
2012–2013
  • Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
    • June Bride
    • Barn Dance
  • The Beatles
    • Golden Slumbers
    • Carry that Weight
    • The End
  • The Prayer
    by Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli
2011–2012
  • La Llama
    by Chris Ice
  • Whatever Happens
    by Michael Jackson
  • Drums
    by Basic J
  • Chale Chalo
    (from Lagaan)
    by A. R. Rahman
  • Mon Amour
    by David Visan
  • Chale Chalo
    (from Lagaan)
    by A. R. Rahman
2010–2011
  • The Addams Family
    by Marc Shaiman
    • Party ... For Me?
    • The Tango
  • Just for a Little While
    by Smokin' Joe Kubek Band
  • Ain't No Sunshine
    by Al Jarreau
  • Think
    by Aretha Franklin
    (from The Blues Brothers)
Original dance
2009–2010
Japanese:
  • Sakura
  • Kodo
2008–2009
  • Charleston: Money, Money
    (from Cabaret soundtrack)
  • Il Mirto E La Rosa
    by Alessandro Safina
2007–2008
  • Prayer in the Night
    (modern arrangement of
    Handel's Suite No. 4)
2006–2007
  • Prayer in the Night
2005–2006
2003–2005
  • Libertango
    by Bond
2001–2002

Competitive highlights

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

With Kana Muramoto for Japan

International
Event 15–16 16–17 17–18 18–19
Olympics 15th
Worlds 15th 23rd 11th
Four Continents 7th 9th 3rd
GP Rostelecom WD
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
Japanese 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 Cathy Reed for Japan

International
Event 06–07 07–08 08–09 09–10 10–11 11–12 12–13 13–14 14–15
Olympics 17th 21st
Worlds 16th 16th 15th 13th 24th 20th 18th 22nd
Four Continents 7th 7th WD 7th
GP NHK Trophy 8th 8th 7th 7th 7th 5th 6th 6th
GP Skate America 9th 7th 5th
Golden Spin 4th 5th
Nebelhorn Trophy 4th
NRW Trophy 2nd
Toruń Cup 2nd
Asian Games 2nd
National
Japanese Champ. 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st WD 1st 1st 1st
Team events
Olympics 5th T
World Team
Trophy
3rd T
4th P
3rd T
6th P
WD = Withdrew
T = Team result; P = Personal result. Medals awarded for team result only.

With Cathy Reed for the United States

National
Event 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06
U.S. Championships 1st N
Eastern Sectionals 10th N 5th N 1st N
North Atlantic Regionals 1st N
N = Novice level
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