Robert Christopher 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

With Kana Muramoto Season Short dance Free dance Exhibition 2017–2018 I Like It Like That Mondo Bongo Batucada de Sambrasil The Last Emperor Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence Ryuichi Sakamoto medley The Last Emperor Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

Unsteady 2016–2017 Ray Charles medley The Sun's Gonna Shine Again I Got a Woman Mess Around Poeta medley Poeta en el Puerto Amor Dulce Muerte Nada Puede Dormir Poeta en el Viento All I Need is the Girl 2015–2016 Robert Stolz medley Wiener Café Olympiamarsch UNO-Marsch Pennies from Heaven Jubilee Stomp The Reel Chaplin: A Symphonic Adventure Limelight Everything Has Changed

With Cathy Reed Season Short dance Free dance Exhibition 2014–2015 El Cid: Farruca Gato Montes Moon River Mr. Lucky The Big Blow Out River Flows in You 2013–2014 Puttin' On the Ritz Harlem Nocturne Puttin' On the Ritz Ona Hei Bitter Sweet Water Good Death Ona Hei The Prayer

Onmyoji 2012–2013 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers June Bride Barn Dance The Beatles Golden Slumbers Carry that Weight The End The Prayer 2011–2012 La Llama Whatever Happens Drums Chale Chalo Mon Amour Chale Chalo 2010–2011 The Addams Family Party ... For Me? The Tango Just for a Little While Ain't No Sunshine Think Original dance 2009–2010 Japanese: Sakura Kodo Angels & Demons 2008–2009 Money, Money Il Mirto E La Rosa 2007–2008 Zorba the Greek Prayer in the Night 2006–2007 Tango Jalousie Libertango 2005–2006 Concierto de Aranjuez 2003–2005 Libertango 2001–2002 Chicago

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 Rostelecom WD NHK Trophy 7th WD 9th WD Skate America 8th 7th Nebelhorn 2nd U.S. Classic 2nd 3rd Asian Games 2nd Toruń Cup 2nd 3rd NationalJapanese 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 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 NHK Trophy 8th 8th 7th 7th 7th 5th 6th 6th 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 TeamTrophy 3rd T 5th P 1st T 6th P 3rd T 4th P 3rd T 6th P WD = Withdrew T = Team result; P = Personal result. Medals awarded for team result only.

References

External links

Cathy & Chris Reed official blog