Cathy Reed (born June 5, 1987) is a retired American-born Japanese ice dancer. With her brother Chris Reed, she is a seven-time Japanese national champion (2008–2011, 2013-2015).
Personal life
Reed was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her mother is Japanese and her father is American.[1] She was a dual citizen of Japan and the United States until she turned 22. Japanese law required those who are dual citizens at birth to relinquish their dual citizenship, so Cathy Reed chose Japanese citizenship at the age of 22 in order to continue to represent Japan in ice dancing.[2] She competed in ice dancing with her younger brother Chris Reed until her retirement in April 2015. Her younger sister Allison Reed is also an ice dancer, who represented Georgia with Otar Japaridze,[1] Israel with Vasili Rogov and currently represents Lithuania with Saulius Ambrulevičius.
On March 17, 2020, Reed's sister, Allison announced on her social media that their brother, Chris, had suddenly died in Detroit, Michigan, on March 14, 2020, due to cardiac arrest.[4][5] 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."[5]
A memorial service was held at a Michigan funeral home on March 21, 2020, and was publicly live-streamed on numerous platforms. Reed 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."[6]
At the 2022 NHK Trophy, Reed got to see her sister, Allison, whom she hadn't previously been able to see in over two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
Career
The Reeds are the 2006 U.S. Novice Dance Champions, but chose to represent Japan beginning in the 2006–2007 season.[8] 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 were offered a chance to compete for Japan and they took it. They advanced immediately to the senior level, skipping Juniors entirely.
After the 2014–15 figure skating season, Cathy retired from competitive figure skating and now works as a coach and choreographer.[10] She is currently based at the Kinoshita Academy in Uji, Kyoto.[11]
^Nemcek, Brenda A. "Raising Olympians: Warren's Three Reed Siblings Competing In Sochi Olympics", TAP into Warren, February 6, 2014. Accessed November 30, 2017. "Cathy Reed (born June 5, 1987) and Chris Reed (born July 7, 1989) are the 5-time Japanese national champions (2008 - 2011, 2013). Younger sister Allison Reed (born June 8, 1994) attended Warren Middle School and Watchung Hills Regional High School.... All three of the siblings are from Warren Township and now train in Hackensack."
^"Mana KAWABE: 2019/2020". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"Ryoga MORIMOTO: 2022/2023". International Skating Union. International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"Haruya SASAKI: 2022/2023". International Skating Union. International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)