1979 Emi Watanabee (or Reiko Kobayashi) - Japan/Colorado Exhibition

Emi came to America to work with Carlo Fassi, and she became the first Japanese girl to medal at Worlds. Here she is skating in an exhibition a few years before that achievement. (See comments section....although this girl was introduced on the TV as Emi Watanabee, credible sources say it is Reiko Kobayashi). Perhaps some of my Colorado Skating Club friends who were in the show, can give us a final word!!??????

Carlo used to drag his students all over the country for a variety of events and performances; and I, myself, actually skated in an exhibition with her in Newnan, Georgia about this same time period. If you know anything about Newnan, Georgia....that's a mindboggling fact!! Skating can make for a small world some times. The printed program for that event is hilarious. My friends get such a kick out of reading my name with the phrase "United States" listed after it!!!!!!

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• figure
• skating
• 1979
• Emi
• Watanabee
• exhibition
• Reiko
• Kobayashi
• Japan
• Newnan
• Georgia
• Carlo
• Fassi
• colorado
• club
• show

[marinakamura]

This is definitely Reiko Kobayashi, I taught both of the for years so I should know!

[k9henrydog]

@marinakamura Thanks for letting us know...........did she ever become Japanese champion??? best wishes

[nondescriptnyc]

This is definitely NOT Emi Watanabe. This is Reiko Kobayashi, another Japanese skater from that era. Reiko was also Fassi's student, so there might have been a confusion there.

[k9henrydog]

@nondescriptnyc Perhaps you are right......but the program introduced her as Emi Watanabee? It doesn't really look like 1979 Emi, but I think this program was filmed the year earlier in 1978. Perhaps someone who was there will know for sure. thanks for the correction though, best wishes

[nondescriptnyc]

@k9henrydog I know for sure this isn't Emi Watanabe and it is in fact Reiko Kobayashi. If you look at the jumping technique, you will know this isn't Emi Watanabe. Watanabe's 2A was gigantic and textbook quality. On a side note, all the guys were DYING to get to know her there because she is just unbelievably beautiful.