“It was a lot of fun. There were plenty of mistakes, but this made me want to work harder toward better performances.” Ikura Kushida and Koshiro Shimada on their debut performance
Newly formed ice dance duo Ikura Kushida and Koshiro Shimada delighted fans during their debut performance at the Friends on Ice show rehearsal
original source: Nikkansports, August 29th, 2025 by Daisuke Fujizuka
The public rehearsal for the figure skating show Friends on Ice was held on August 29 at KOSE Shin-Yokohama Skating Center. Ikura Kushida (17) and Koshiro Shimada (23), who teamed up as an ice dance pair this season, performed together in front of fans for the first time. Dancing to Ariana Grande’s “Faith,” the pair executed twizzles and lifts that energized the audience. Here’s a translation of their comments posted on Nikkansports.
Reflecting on the experience, Kushida said with a laugh, “I was a little nervous. Honestly, I was far more worried about whether I’d be able to perform properly.” Shimada added, “Though there were many things I felt unsure about, it was a lot of fun. There were plenty of mistakes, but this made me want to work harder toward better performances.”
Both skaters bring notable accomplishments as singles competitors. Shimada, who placed second at the 2022 Japanese National Championships, has fully transitioned to ice dance this season. Meanwhile, Kushida, the 2023 Japan Junior Championship runner-up, is continuing to compete in singles while pursuing ice dance, managing her practice schedule between disciplines—training ice dance in the mornings and singles in the afternoons.
The duo received warm support from the audience and praise from seasoned skaters, including Stephane Lambiel, Shimada’s former coach, who performed at the exhibition alongside them. Lambiel told him after the performance, “It was thrilling and exciting – a performance that made my heart race.” This encouragement marked an emotional moment for Shimada. Kushida also shared her joy at receiving positive feedback from ice dance veterans Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi, noting that both were surprised by how quickly the pair has progressed. Smiling, she said, “I hope we’ll continue to create even more beautiful programs together.”
Looking ahead, Kushida and Shimada will compete in their first-ever ice dance competition at the Chris Reed Trophy in Nagano (Kazakoshi Park Ice Arena) on September 23.
Related topics: Ikura Kushida, Koshiro Shimada
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