Shoma Uno: 2014-2024 | Page 278 | Golden Skate

Shoma Uno: 2014-2024

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P.S. Actually, you might come across one of my texts on twitter -- it's been posted there by one sports website, and then retweeted quite a lot, mostly by all sorts of Japanese accounts... Not sure why they are retweeting a post in Russian and what they are hoping to understand in the text, but apparently they are just interested in it, because it has this nice picture of Shoma in his golden Turandot costume. :luv17:
Anyway, just saying... This is my evidence for not being idle and working hard in the glory of our Shomajesty. :hap10:
 
demarinis5 said:
You can really see all of the nuances that the program has in this fancam. Gorgeous choreography and Shoma's timing to the music is spot on,
simply the best!
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Well, I like this version much better than the official stream :ohwell: Just realized that Shoma ditched the holding of his skate when he lowers the leg from the first spin :sad21:

Thanks for all the on-site reports and welcome nik183!! :hap10:
 
Hi, Verit, I just saw your profile picture on twitter and realized that I had seen you at the Lombardia trophy!!! On the last day, we even went back from the rink on the same bus, and I remember you talking with someone about GPFs -- sorry, I just overheard your conversation, because I was standing right behind you. Well, anyway. Just wanted to say 'hi'. :laugh: :otopic: :giveup: :hijacked:
 
Hronop said:
Anyway, just saying... This is my evidence for not being idle and working hard in the glory of our Shomajesty. :hap10:
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You've been anything but idle Hronop! Just want to thank you again for your sweet retelling of the events as you've seen them! It's so interesting to see especially how hard Fluffy works for all of her skaters, especially during the event, organizing everything. They are still children in some way, probably out of their element in a 'foreign' world and if you have a calming and all knowing presence like Fluffy you can entirely concentrate on skating which is the most important. Some coaches always have a...hmmm.. I don't want to say resting-*****-face but they look ready to murder at any second, or are so cold you get the shivers when looking into their disapproving eyes - I'm glad that she is not like that. I don't presume to know what it's like at the training, or what she tells Shoma behind closed doors, but I have a feeling he trusts his coaches completely. And they feel with him, the joy and the sadness. It's better for Shoma to not go to another country. It's also not necessary to have a north-american or russian coach to get better. I've always felt like the japanese coaches should get more recognition and even 'foreign' skaters that go there for training. This is a wish for far in the future, I guess, but maybe during our lifetime we will see it happen.

I understand about the not-queueing for a picture/quietly observing from afar. It's probably something we have in common, and depends on your character. I'm also not the type to do that. Can't deny I'm happy that there are people more outgoing than me out there who cheer loudly and tell Shoma how loved he is, though. :yay:
 
MaiKatze said:
I understand about the not-queueing for a picture/quietly observing from afar. It's probably something we have in common, and depends on your character. I'm also not the type to do that. Can't deny I'm happy that there are people more outgoing than me out there who cheer loudly and tell Shoma how loved he is, though. :yay:
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Yes, Shoma definitely deserves all kinds of fans and supporters, the quite and the loud! :cheer2: I must say, I was pretty loud at the arena though, shouting 'go, Shoma!' and 'bravo!' before and after his performance. :hap10:
 
Hronop said:
Yes, Shoma definitely deserves all kinds of fans and supporters, the quite and the loud! :cheer2: I must say, I was pretty loud at the arena though, shouting 'go, Shoma!' and 'bravo!' before and after his performance. :hap10:
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Haha, good to know. :hap10:
 
reading some excerpts about coach Mihoko 'Fluffy' Higuchi, I thought that her approach actually makes lots of sense for me, for what we've seen from Shoma. Her organizing everything from official/formal side, caring over Shoma's schedule, directing him about specifics allows him to concentrate fully with full force on performance and execution of it. I think that her open, smiling, 'glamorous' demeanor/exterior we often have in minds is really deceiving - she's one hell of a businesswoman in charge, but with very encouraging, caring approach towards her students. And I totally get this 'cuteness', bond between her and Shoma - his successes, progress and overall presence are giving her the power, this enthusiasm and vice versa - Shoma seeing this positivity, strength and devotion from Mihoko's side, is probably as energized and motivated as she's proud. Shoma and coach Higuchi along with Jason with Kori/Rohene are probably my fave duos in K'n'C:laugh:
 
NoNameFace said:
reading some excerpts about coach Mihoko 'Fluffy' Higuchi, I thought that her approach actually makes lots of sense for me, for what we've seen from Shoma. Her organizing everything from official/formal side, caring over Shoma's schedule, directing him about specifics allows him to concentrate fully with full force on performance and execution of it. I think that her open, smiling, 'glamorous' demeanor/exterior we often have in minds is really deceiving - she's one hell of a businesswoman in charge, but with very encouraging, caring approach towards her students. And I totally get this 'cuteness', bond between her and Shoma - his successes, progress and overall presence are giving her the power, this enthusiasm and vice versa - Shoma seeing this positivity, strength and devotion from Mihoko's side, is probably as energized and motivated as she's proud. Shoma and coach Higuchi along with Jason with Kori/Rohene are probably my fave duos in K'n'C:laugh:
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Exactly my thoughts... And I am glad Shoma has Mihoko as a coach. She's a great woman who cares a lot about our sleepy baby Sho. :yawn: But Sho is not a passive puppet as well. His recent interviews are very thoughtful and show him as a fierce competitor who has clearly defined goals this season and clear plans as to how to accomplish these goals. To say nothing of his professional qualities, of his expressiveness on ice, and his skating etc etc. What an amazing duo!
 
demarinis5, I’m happy to deliver. Thank you!!

MaiKatze, HE IS SOFT. Sometimes there are just no other words to describe it. He is soft and he is nice. As is Mihoko. Just… very nice. :)

NoNameFace, I was glad to share!

(Oh, and Deniss was lovely, both him and Steph, yes.)

Arriba627 said:
:jaw: Verit, thank you so much for your report. I felt like I was right there in the midst of the action with you. Your photos are jaw-dropping. Makes my fuzzy, blurry photos look pretty awful! He is really nice to his fans! So happy to hear that you are favorably impressed with both the programs and the amazing costumes.

Two questions for you -- When you spoke to Coach Fluffy, did you speak to her in English? I have heard that she speaks really good English and am just curious. Would you say the crowd was from many different countries or mostly Italian fans?
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Thank you so much, I'm glad you liked my report!

I talked to her in English, but she didn't really say anything back, she mostly nodded and laughed, haha.

The crowd consisted of fans from different countries, for sure! There were quite a lot of Italians, many people who worked at IceLab, too, but also many Japanese fans, some (I think) Koreans. I heard people speak Hungarian near me (they were fans of Shoma, among others, and got pics with him), saw a Russian Grandma :D and several other Russian people and talked with a woman from Germany. Must have been people from other countries, too, but I don't know the specifics.

Hronop, haha, I thought you might (I didn't really realise how unusual bright blue hair would be in Italy, as it's quite common in Russia nowadays... especially at a small figure skating competition; although I figured I would be memorable it is all part of a plan to make them remember me). Yeah, I was there with a friend who's not on GS, but also a fan. :D Hiii!

Also, yeah, your photo captures the moment Shoma was standing there while Mihoko and his manager talked about the Risport skates! I was standing on the side from them. He also held the boots himself in some moments, so they kinda consulted him, but mostly he just stood there, rocking on his heels and stretching his sweater, heh.
 
MaiKatze said:
I could never have that kind of willpower. Impressive, Winnie! But if I think about it, this year is the first time I've watched an early competition. Guess I'm just nervous this season, and need Shoma to reassure me! :scowl:
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I've been doing this for I think four, five years now? Ever since I closely started following the Juniors, anyway (the Men this year are a disaster, but the Ladies a dream. :luv17:). There's enough figure skating during the JGP period to keep me entertained, so that way I don't feel the desperate urge to also watch the Senior competitions before the GPs. And of course there was no JGP this past weekend, go figure, but there was enough real life stuff to distract me, thankfully, so... :laugh:

I understand feeling nervous, though. It's nice and comforting to know Shoma is already doing so well! Now just don't get injured, pretty plz thank you! It's bad enough being a fan of one skater, but two at the same time is double the nerves.
I used to be this same way back when Mao and Yuna were the top contenders, and I adored them both and it broke my heart every time someone lost to the other. :palmf:
 
All I can say is at this point, we are all SO spoiled with these amazing photos, fan cams, and first-hand reports. Talk about setting the bar high! This competition will be a tough act to follow! :clap: Thank you so much to everyone for the work you did so we could all enjoy the competition even more!

About Fluffy and Shoma -- One of my favorite American skaters comes to mind, because he says he is so glad that he never has to worry about going to the Kiss and Cry and being scolded, reprimanded, etc. for whatever took place in his program. I think the same can be said for Shoma. What's done is done, and they seem to try to make everything a learning experience. Positivity always prevails! :luv17: Even the way he skates out on to the ice (and the same can be said for Yura Matsuda and Mako Yamashita) says that he is happy to be there!

I think at one point, Coach Fluffy said he is in his own little Shoma world. Although I know sometimes we have joked about him being "clueless" -- like at P.I.W. when he has no idea if the costumes are done, no idea when he leaves for Chicago, etc. This is actually a GOOD thing, because he has no need to worry about this stuff. He has a top team with a good manager and Coach Yamada and Fluffy. His job is to come and skate, and we know he always gives 120%. Keeping himself out of logistics and other details actually works in his favor and IMHO helps to keep him calm. And just in general, he has a calm manner, even if he does get the jitters as everyone else does. I think as he matures he will have a little more input on costumes and such, but he doesn't need to be burdened by these things.

I did a quick tally the other day, just out of curiosity, to see in how many countries he has competed. I came up with 19 countries! :jaw: I'm pretty sure other skaters would be able to say the same, but nevertheless, that is mind boggling for someone who is 19! Thank goodness he doesn't have to worry about transportation and hotel logistics :laugh:...Taking photos? Autographs? :dumb: I am SO glad to hear that I am not the only one who has a really hard time with this. He's super nice about it, but -- gaaahhhhh! When I had him sign my flag, I almost felt like I was going to be sick to my stomach. There's no reason for that, because he's so nice, but I still feel like I'm bothering him!

Finally, did you see where we now have a new expression? Can't remember where I saw it, but someone wrote "Shomygod". Honestly, that name of his lends itself to all kinds of interesting words. I think we are inventing a whole new vocabulary! :laugh2:...Next up, Skate Canada in 36 days!!!! Practice hard Shoma kun!
 
For what it's worth, I have gone back and forth re: Shoma over the past few years. Loved his first year as a senior, but then I felt last year he really sacrificed what made him so special for some not-so-well-executed quads with sketchy technique in programs with not-so-great choreo and musicality.

On top of that, Yuzuru already has such a huge and crazy fan base that I already felt like my fan feelings were better directed towards a non-Japanese skater who would not have such strong fans (like Javier, for example).

But holy crap.

His programs this year have 100% converted me. His jumps look the best they ever have, and the musicality of the programs surpasses anything any other men are doing. Like, by far. His musicality feels so innate and authentic. Winter is a brilliant SP. I've always been a fan of the music Turandot because of Shen/Zhao, and I really liked his program a few years ago to the music. I wish that he AND Marin Honda were NOT both skating to it, but he does it way more justice.

Like, could you imagine Marin, Shoma, and S/H all winning Olympic medals all having LPs skated to Turandot in a single Olympic year? WEIRD.

Anyway, I guess I am now a convert!
 
Did not expect to see you in this thread, andromache, welcome, welcome!

Funny how there are so many different feelings towards Shoma's programs, and that you did see not-so-great choreo and musicality in LOCO and Lavender. *_* And then that you like his programs so much this season. The more often I rewatch Turandot 2.0 as we call it, I see more and more what a great program it can become and how much better he can skate it - and it was, on the technical side, almost perfect already. But I think there can be so much more. And I totally agree with you on Winter. So far it's my favourite SP of the men, although I also like Patrick Chan's.

Concerning Turandot, I can see S/H and Shoma winning medals, gold even. I doubt that Marin will make it to the Olympics and if she does she probably won't get a medal of any color. I think it's too early for her, she needs a bit more time to grow and doesn't have the tech score of fellow debutante Alina Zagitova. I agree though, it's a bit meh that Turandot is her debut LP as well.
 
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