Here we are two weeks after Worlds, and I still can’t let go of those fabulous performances given by Sho. As I watched Sho’s performance of the SP, I realized that the commentary that was done during the six minute warm-up group and after his skate was just as interesting as during the performance. These are the remarks that were made by Terry, Johnny, and Tara during Gravity. It makes me so happy to hear that his incredible skating skills are so appreciated! After watching him for so long, I think I start to take his amazing skating skills for granted! Sho, you skated like the two-time World Champion that you are!
Terry: And out there is Shoma Uno, reigning World Champion, two-time Oly medalist, undefeated all season, no doubt the favorite coming in here.
Johnny: And father of dragons (LOL). That was so many accolades, Terry!
Terry: I can keep going if you want me to.
Johnny: Shoma is a wonderful combination of technical brilliance and artistic loveliness. That will be his advantage in this competition with Ilia Malinin. He has said all season that Ilia and his technical abilities are pushing him, but he knows who he is. He knows his blades are an extension of his body. He oozes into the ice. The jumps kind of come out of nowhere in his choreography.
Tara: I love the John Mayer SP. It is SO exciting to watch him jump and also be able to blend into his artistic, dynamic, exciting performance. There is no one quite like Shoma. He has such a unique style.
Terry: Interesting his comments about Ilia. We could talk about what motivates him. He has directly talked about it and said “The first time I went up against Ilia Malinin, he was far more skilled than me and that thrilled and motivated me. He is actually better than me. He is going to dominate.”
Tara: Athletes like to be pushed. It’s good to have someone who is so good that he’s pushing you to be your best – to try things you never thought you’d try before. It makes skating better!
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Terry: Suffice it to say, this is the man most came to see in Saitama.
Johnny: He deserves every accolade we throw at him Terrence. He’s wonderful…This SP is a thing of beauty, a wonderful combination of artistry and tech, opening with a 4F.
Tara: Look at that GOE, over 3 points. Well deserved. The landing, so “buttery”. Pillowy, deep edges. Watch how he skates into these jumps with so much speed. DEEP knee bend. 4T-2T. It’s these moments right here. His edge work but also the push and pull of his body like an ocean wave. That’s where he has it over Ilia, in the component score.
Johnny: Bravo times three million for that SP. Absolutely stunning. He was DEEP into the ice. Deep into his music. Deep into his knees. I mean, so impressive. The experience he has had helps him to be comfortable on the ice. Stephane has worked so hard on his polish and finish. Oh, that was gorgeous from start to finish. This could be a new Personal Best for him. It was that good.
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Tara: The way he handled the pressure – watch on the 4F, the deep knee bend, how he holds that edge, getting right back into the choreography. The position of his feet in the air. The nice bounce he gets into the air. The camera can’t even keep watch of his feet! So explosive and dynamic. I’m sure he didn’t watch Ilia’s performance, but he had to know Ilia was going to probably lay down something very technically difficult, and he matched it.
Johnny: What I love is how he engages every single muscle. You can see in the close ups of his hands – the passion that flows all the way through his fingertips. He pushes all the way through his toes when he takes off and lands. That comfort and that push into the ice is what makes him so exceptional. Yes, there’s musicality, the technical, precision, but it’s that one-ness he has with the ice that makes him so jaw dropping.