Shoma Uno: 2014-2024

[Arriba627]

I’ve given up trying to catch up on reading the last couple dozens of pages here so I’ll just congratulate him now on his bronze plastic medal at GPF (and wow at his last spin in the FS with Level 4 and+3 GOE from all the judges), wish him a happy birthday from last week, wish him luck at nationals this weekend as well as report that I updated his OP with results from GPF.

Here’s Shoma’s schedule for the rest of the season, as of now/that I know of. Actually, I was trying to work out when he’ll go to Chicago to train, but it’ll have to be between after Nats and before SOI. I hope he takes care of his injuries even if they are not serious now.

Dec.23-25 Nationals
Dec.26 Medalists on Ice (if he medals)

Jan.13-15 Stars on Ice Japan
Jan.14 THE LEGENDS (Medal Winners' Gala)
Jan.21-22 Prince Ice World Kumamoto

The rest are TBD, depending on which competitions he’ll be sent to, if not all of them.
Feb.14-19 4CC
Feb.23-26 Asian Winter Games
Mar.29-Apr.2 World Championships
Apr.20-23 WTT

They are all in Asia so no jetlag issues there. It'll be interesting to see how he'll deal with it in Finland. Maybe they'll start looking for an ice rink where he can practice at so he can arrive there early.

Thank you Mikaboo! Hope you are well. I have a hard time believing he will squeeze Chicago in somewhere in that busy schedule! But I do keep hoping! Oh well, it's only a 13 hour(?) flight away!

ETA Yes, that last spin of his at GPF was FABULOUS! Sometimes he loses his concentration, but that was gorgeous!

 

[hamaguri]

Thank you Mikaboo! Hope you are well. I have a hard time believing he will squeeze Chicago in somewhere in that busy schedule! But I do keep hoping! Oh well, it's only a 13 hour(?) flight away!

ETA Yes, that last spin of his at GPF was FABULOUS! Sometimes he loses his concentration, but that was gorgeous!

Agree! His spin was marvelous at gpf! He was suffered from his condition, but what he'd practiced after Russia could be seen here and there. I was satisfied with that.

Welcome back, mikaboo! :yay:

Poor shoma... I didn't imagine he would be a honorable national champion in such a way...

 

[MaiKatze]

I am pretty much convinced he has this in the bag, the only one who I think could remotely challenge him is Mura. Tanaka is very unlikely. It sucks that people are probably going to be like "Yeah, he's japanese Champion, but only because Hanyu wasn't there." It's certainly not a satisfying situation. I'm pretty sure he has it in him to beat Yuzuru, but we'll have to wait to see this and then we can enjoy the backlash, and say told you so.

 

[Winnie_20]

Since I adore both Shoma and Yuzuru, I'm just as happy to see Shoma take the title this year.
Heck, I'd be happy if Mura won, too, although I think Shoma just deserves it more based on what he's shown so far this season.
Go Shoma!

 

[MaiKatze]

Realistically speaking, getting that japanese Champion title with Yuzuru still in the picture would've been mighty hard, almost impossible. For Shoma's career, though, becoming japanese Champion at such an early stage will be very good. He's building reputation points with the judges, building and building, until the Olympics when he should be a top contender for the podium - and even Gold. I know a lot of fans of Yuzuru (those who don't adore Shoma) don't want to hear this, but if GPF is any indication then Shoma proved he can stand up to the challenge. Of course he skated first. Who knows what he would've done if he skated last. But I think his not so stellar performances in practice and warm up, leading up to an almost cleanish LP show that Shoma can deliver when it counts. And that's something admirable and needed for someone who wants that Gold Medal. I don't doubt he wants it very, very much.

 

[TerpsichoreFS]

I'm new to the Shoma Fandom and I was wondering, Shoma trains at Chukyo because he studies there? Where was he training before ? And what are his studies about?

Honestly for Nats I just want him to let go and have fun. He has it in the bag, so he can get a little crazy (I dream of a lay back spin...)

 

[Arriba627]

I'm new to the Shoma Fandom and I was wondering, Shoma trains at Chukyo because he studies there? Where was he training before ? And what are his studies about?

Honestly for Nats I just want him to let go and have fun. He has it in the bag, so he can get a little crazy (I dream of a lay back spin...)

I have only seen that it says he trains in Nagoya. So I'm not 100% sure what that means. I know we've been seeing him train at the same facility for quite awhile now. His study program is a mystery program. )). I think it has to do with sports...A lay back spin would be nice, although that last spin he did at the GPF in his long program was SO awesome! His SP final spin was great too...I see that you have a French flag. Did you happen to see him in Marseilles? He's so amazing live, and his speed is so much greater than it appears on TV or on the computer.

 

[Arriba627]

So sorry that Yuzu has the flu! With the insane technical difficulty the guys do now, it would be really unwise for him to compete unless he's 100%. So it's good that he will not participate. It's probably not so good for Shoma, because I know he always really wants to know how he compares to Yuzu. This isn't how he wants to win a championship. In people's minds, there will always be an asterisk (*), and that will be that Yuzu wasn't there! But the show will go on, and I'm sure he will still come out and do his best. Hopefully Shoma will not get sick now too! But there is still good news because........

:clapper: :hpull: :eekn: I made a phone call and found out that Shoma will be in Chicago training starting Dec. 28 and will be here for 10 days. Not too much info other than that, but that's good enough! Hooray! :hap93:

 

[demarinis5]

Wow he will be leaving right after Nationals. Not much time to relax. Thanks for the info Arriba!

I don't feel that a National title for Shoma will be lesser than because Yuzu is not there. A competition consist of
the participants and whoever delivers the highest score will win and will deserve the title of National Champion.
I am sure Shoma will be thrilled if he wins. I know I will.

 

[DiamondDust]

...It's probably not so good for Shoma, because I know he always really wants to know how he compares to Yuzu. This isn't how he wants to win a championship. In people's minds, there will always be an asterisk (*), and that will be that Yuzu wasn't there! But the show will go on, and I'm sure he will still come out and do his best.

I am actually thinking the same (and it's sad if many people will think this way ). However, Japan have other strong competitors (like Mura) and there's still the chance of Shoma being in second (though I'm sure he's got this in the bag ) Good luck to him!

 

[Violet Bliss]

Nothing bad about grabbing a National title which keeps forever. Nam Nguyan and Michael Slipchuk of Canada are both former Canadian Champions and always will be. Nam still has his chances of more though.

 

[Arriba627]

I am actually thinking the same (and it's sad if many people will think this way ). However, Japan have other strong competitors (like Mura) and there's still the chance of Shoma being in second (though I'm sure he's got this in the bag ) Good luck to him!

Another way to look at it is that illness, injuries, and luck are also part of competing. Sometimes you're on the winning side of that, sometimes not. I would hope he'll be super happy if he wins!

 

[TerpsichoreFS]

I have only seen that it says he trains in Nagoya. So I'm not 100% sure what that means. I know we've been seeing him train at the same facility for quite awhile now. His study program is a mystery program. )). I think it has to do with sports...A lay back spin would be nice, although that last spin he did at the GPF in his long program was SO awesome! His SP final spin was great too...I see that you have a French flag. Did you happen to see him in Paris or Marseilles? He's so amazing live, and his speed is so much greater than it appears on TV or on the computer.

Thank you for your answer! So he does study there? Yeah that last fs spin is killer and I love how he finished the spin and then for good measure added a little twizzle before the ending pose. He's really good at using his legs to center himself and would probably be great at fouettés.

I saw him in Marseille. I could only be there for the first day actually, and it was my first competition live! I did a whole report on the facility, gaillaguet's terrible speech and all the competitors performances but was too shy to put it somewhere. Now the topic is past its due date and I'm not sure what the forums rules are for replying to threads that are over. For shoma, I wrote :

Inward skater. Such beautiful lines, upper body. Fantastic back. Looks hurt (when he fell on the quad). More mesmerizing than Patrick. Hate that plié spin. Great twizzle (it was double footed, during his step sequence, not sure what its called) with arms above head, pretty effect. The one-second cantilever doesn't look like it belongs. Good finish. What is that score! 5 points behind javier?? Better speed, spins...

The one thing I add is that watching Nathan after him, shomas smoothness and flexibility may sometimes looked a little sloppy.

To be honest concerning his speed, I mostly noticed that 4 guys were so fast on the ice while 2 (javier and Adam) really slow compared to the others. It was a little disturbing honestly, took me out of their programs.

 

[Arriba627]

Finally the audio of the CBC broadcast was posted. I really missed hearing Kurt Browning's take on the Grand Prix final. Here are just a few snippets of their broadcast of Shoma's FS. It's Kurt along with Carol Lane (I think!)

K: He is like a nuclear blast – small but powerful. So much energy in this pocket rocket of a skater…A little over rotated in the upper body on the 4F but that’s a consistent thing with him. Some day his right knee will hate him.

K: Clever 3 turn series into 4T, finding any way to make your stance out on the ice, to make your jumps stand out.

K: Daisuke Takahasi really led the Japanese skaters – all the young talent in Japan was looking at him and realizing that every beat of the music can be addressed. Shoma picking up the reins there.

K: Oh gosh - This is the 6 best skaters of the year. Beautiful 4T+2T there--I have to wonder if he has had dance training or if he has just always been this intense and this musical… 3A 1/2Lo 3F Come on!!! So late in the program! SO physically strong.

C: And he is so unhurried. He’s got patience, he inhabits the music, and does great moves like that (cantilever). Talk about having the total package, he is well on the way to having it! Shoma Uno looking even better in year 2 on the senior circuit.

(After he finishes) K: Right now he’s doing a check list (in his head--as if to say "did I do all my elements?") –Wow-- Knees and that focus! He really gets down in his knees. When something is wrong in the air, he can save it. He is able to take the difficult jumps and weave them into the choreography.

C: The choreography was really spectacular.

K:Now can he take this intensity and take this to where the audience likes not only his skating but really likes him. (My note: Judging by the applause and the standing ovation? / partial standing ovation? I think the audience already really likes him )

 

[Arriba627]

I saw him in Marseille. I could only be there for the first day actually, and it was my first competition live! I did a whole report on the facility, gaillaguet's terrible speech and all the competitors performances but was too shy to put it somewhere. Now the topic is past its due date and I'm not sure what the forums rules are for replying to threads that are over. The one thing I add is that watching Nathan after him, shomas smoothness and flexibility may sometimes looked a little sloppy.

I think at this point, people are probably not reading the Grand Prix Final thread, so I wouldn't post your comments there. But I would definitely go to individual Fan Fest threads and post some comments, if you feel comfortable doing that. Even if it's after the competition, most people in the Fan Fests really enjoy reading an in-person report about their favorites - no matter how short or long the remarks are...Did you mean that Shoma looked sloppy in comparison to Nathan? Nathan is quite an interesting character, and I'm looking forward to seeing him at U.S. Nationals in January. He has studied ballet since he was a little boy, so I think he has great potential.

 

[TerpsichoreFS]

I think at this point, people are probably not reading the Grand Prix Final thread, so I wouldn't post your comments there. But I would definitely go to individual Fan Fest threads and post some comments, if you feel comfortable doing that. Even if it's after the competition, most people in the Fan Fests really enjoy reading an in-person report about their favorites - no matter how short or long the remarks are...Did you mean that Shoma looked sloppy in comparison to Nathan? Nathan is quite an interesting character, and I'm looking forward to seeing him at U.S. Nationals in January. He has studied ballet since he was a little boy, so I think he has great potential.

To be honest, I really didn't expect to like Nathan so much. It's all a matter of personal taste. I love ballet and have been doing it since I was 5, so Nathan body movement and choreography speaks to me on an emotional level. Shoma is more smooth, more earthy. They both have fire in them, but shoma is more like water and Nathan like air. For the sloppy part, Shoma looks very relaxed and less controlled compared to nathan, so the impression is that he is a little less precise, even if it is not true.

 

[mikaboo]

Who is Shoma's coach in Chicago?

If nothing has changed since the last time he was there, Shoma’s coach in Chicago is Alexander Ouriashev (Gracie’s former coach). There are probably other coaches there to help him too.

I'm new to the Shoma Fandom and I was wondering, Shoma trains at Chukyo because he studies there? Where was he training before ? And what are his studies about?

Honestly for Nats I just want him to let go and have fun. He has it in the bag, so he can get a little crazy (I dream of a lay back spin...)

I think he used to train at Nagoya Sports Center, the home rink for the “Grand Prix Tokai Club” which he belonged to before he was able to use Chukyo Univ. ice rink. Mako Yamashita still belongs to the club so I guess she, and Yamada/Higuchi’s other students besides the Chukyo Univ. skaters still train there. Everything about these skating clubs, school skating clubs, coaches, home rinks are a mystery to me though.

Thanks for your report from GPF. That’s very interesting that he looked sloppy in comparison to Nathan. Maybe it was a good thing that Shoma skated before him. Nathan has very good posture and I love his arms! I hope both boys and Boyang stay healthy and competitive until 2022.

And thanks to Arriba for making a phone call. Will you be going to watch him train?

 

[skatefan22]

I'm new to the Shoma Fandom and I was wondering, Shoma trains at Chukyo because he studies there? Where was he training before ? And what are his studies about?

Honestly for Nats I just want him to let go and have fun. He has it in the bag, so he can get a little crazy (I dream of a lay back spin...)

He trains at Chukyo and studies sports. His coaches have always been Yamada and Higuchi.

 

[demarinis5]

Shoma will skate third in the second last group! I think that is a good draw for him.

 

[0smile0]

Shoma Changed SP layout to 4F+3T, 4T, 3A
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20161222-00000181-sph-spo

Shoma's 4F+3T
https://twitter.com/hitsuji_one/status/811888248863657984