Shoma Uno

I am happy and sad about the news. I have been saying for last two years that he needed someone to help him with his jump technique everyday. Then he came out and said he was working on his jumps all by himself and I felt like now that is a no no. I was hoping that they could add a jump specialist to his team or he could spend most of off season in jump camp. And the thing is that I love Shoma Uno. He is the only reason I started watching skating again after Mao Asada. And believe it was scary because he has some of the same jump issues Mao had and it was so hard with her trying to correct. I knew Shoma would have to address those jumps sometime. I am hoping for the best. I hope the new coach is Rafe but it is definitely a nerve racking and exciting time.

Where are you, Arriba?
Are you OK?
I’m shocked.
I really like Shoma and Mihoko’s Kiss & Cry.
I hope this season would be successful season for him.
No matter what happens, no matter where he is, I’ll cheer for him as always.

I just think that Shoma went to see Mao because he’d like to tell her his graduation!?
He has a strong sense of duty, and he respects Mao so much.
I love both of them.

Is not it too late? And he had not said where he is moving... well, in all likelihood he did not take this decision yesterday, so the groundwork was laid, particular since he was giving hints aboyt the camp. It would be crazy if he goes to one of the Russian coaches.

Well, to stick to the form,

3. Favourite jump

That 3A4T... just mind blowing, but I also love the 4T on its own. Or at least I think it is 4T, the quad that he lands gently.

jerrymouse333 said:

Where are you, Arriba?
Are you OK?
I’m shocked.��
I really like Shoma and Mihoko’s Kiss & Cry.
I hope this season would be successful season for him.
No matter what happens, no matter where he is, I’ll cheer for him as always.

I just think that Shoma went to see Mao because he’d like to tell her his graduation!?
He has a strong sense of duty, and he respects Mao so much.
I love both of them.��

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Thank you jerrymouse, and I have only had a small, minor heart attack! I checked his shoma-uno.com at 1 am for the last time last night, and then I see at 1:36 am you posted the news! Remember, I'm a 14 hour time difference from you. Woke up super early and had to check quickly if there was any news! :eeking: Oh my, definitely, fully awake now! :dance2: So all along, there was a reason he hasn't been posting news about his programs. In many ways, this is the news we have all been both dreading and longing for! Above all, Shoma stayed true to himself (and his team) and didn't let anyone push him into anything he was not yet ready for. I have always thought he would be unhappy abroad, but he has done a lot of growing up over the past year or so, so he is making his move when HE is ready -- not when other people tell him to. I'm sure this was done after a big "pow wow" with coaches, family, possibly the Fed?

Repeating what I said recently "Jason Brown's comment always stands out in my mind where he said 'Kori Ade was my first coach and will be my last.' Yes, and we know where Jason is now. So never say never in terms of anything -- new training environment, new coach, new choreographers." I am so thankful Team Yamada loves him enough to let him go and to encourage him to spread his wings even more. With his potential, the sky is the limit.

Still thinking the most likely place for him is with Team Raf, although I'm sure there are other possibilities. I had said before I thought Tom Z possibly, but I believe I read recently that Tom is possibly joining Team Raf. I have to check that out. But that is just one of many questions -- First and above all, where will he end up? I still say Team Raf. Who will do his choreo? Will he use multiple choreographers? Will his manager continue to work with him (I hope so!)? Will (gasp) Demi-san still be with him? What would a Nathan-Shoma situation be like? Will Mama Jolie die of a broken heart (just kidding!)? Will his mother or another family member go with him?

SO excited for this new chapter. So grateful to Team Yamada for lovingly raising him as a skater (and a son!) and encouraging him to grow. Whatever he and his family decide, I support them !00%. Life is sweet! We love you Shoma!!!!! <3

https://twitter.com/Cr8O0/status/1135539036590764033?s=20 (smile)

Google translate: According to the RT participants, UNO will practice at various places such as overseas training camps starting this month and grasp the atmosphere, and then decide on a new coach and training base.
https://twitter.com/hitsuji_one/status/1135452724818898944

I sort of remember someone posted that at PIW, when asked about the camp, Shoma said he will go to three camps. So he probably will decide which coach to go to after trying out the three different places.

Aaaah I saw this on twitter and had to run over here aaaaaaaah. So scary but exciting, I'm hoping this change will bring him even greater things to come. I had the thought that this might happen soon earlier in the season. So curious what will happen!!

:eeking::eeking::eeking::eeking:
Scary but exciting!! Sometimes you have to make big changes to grow.

I wonder to whom will Shoma go to?
I wish him the best at whatever he, his family and team takes. I know they all the want the best for him. Though we all feel like crying.

Wow! Surprised and not surprised at the same time. It will be so interesting to see where he ends up, and what his new coach does with him. Good luck Shoma!

skatefan22 said:

Google translate: According to the RT participants, UNO will practice at various places such as overseas training camps starting this month and grasp the atmosphere, and then decide on a new coach and training base.
https://twitter.com/hitsuji_one/status/1135452724818898944

I sort of remember someone posted that at PIW, when asked about the camp, Shoma said he will go to three camps. So he probably will decide which coach to go to after trying out the three different places.

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So, he will sort of shop around? It is still so close to the new season... then again, I felt like June 22 is not going to come forever only, like, yesterday. But it’s everything new. Omg. Hang in there, Uno.

It was quite shocking to read the news, I thought Shoma was the skater least likely to leave his coaches. I can only hope he’ll find a place where he can grow (plz choose well) while not loosing his artistry in the process, but enhance it.

Tavi... said:

Wow! Surprised and not surprised at the same time. It will be so interesting to see where he ends up, and what his new coach does with him. Good luck Shoma!

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Kind of reminiscent of Jason, isn't it Tavi? In both cases, we probably would have said "Who would have 'thunk'** it?!"


**oops sorry - American slang for "thought"

Does anyone else come out of the astounded and confused state with the crazy covet hope that now, now, we’ll see Gold Uno? Because it’s moving into my head and reality is just not cutting it as a viable alternative.

just saw the news and I'm quite surprised! I guess in retrospect it shouldn't be that shocking, it did occur to me that Shoma may switch coaches after he mentioned overseas training camps + the lack of news about his programs, but I never thought it would really happen. It must have taken Shoma a lot of courage to come to this decision, knowing what an important and ever-present part of his life Mihoko and Machiko have been.

Thinking about such a big change...it's kinda stressful, but also exciting. I hope that wherever, and with whomever, Shoma will end up training, it will be a good fit for him and a place where he can feel comfortable.

Raf seems like the most logical move ... not a lot of coaches have experience with successful quads/technique - especially 4F and also 4Lz.

Nathan isn’t at the rink most of the time, and it’s unknown when he will be taking leave from school. Stephen Gogolev is supposedly switching to Raf, though I don’t think this has actually been confirmed yet.

I was thinking Tom Z could be moving to the same rink, when I heard he might be moving to California. But I’m not sure.

Other positives are that Shoma already has friends there, the flight from Japan is direct and not too far. Also there is a Japanese supermarket in Irvine, and lots of Japanese restaurants in the area, including his favorite yakiniku

Arriba627 said:

Kind of reminiscent of Jason, isn't it Tavi? In both cases, we probably would have said "Who would have 'thunk'** it?!"


**oops sorry - American slang for "thought"

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I’m very impressed with Shoma for saying that he wants to go elsewhere before committing to a particular coach. With Jason, Jason watchers knew he was looking, there was the camp a week photo from fans having their pics taken (“guess who was at my rink”) but Jason didn’t say he was leaving Kori until TCC was confirmed.

For obvious reasons, I’d like to see Shoma at TCC, top training, great atmosphere, rinkside shoulder massages for Shoma
But mostly I want him to be where he is happy, and I hope that he can make the selection process without too much of a sideshow

oatmella said:

Raf seems like the most logical move ... not a lot of coaches have experience with successful quads/technique - especially 4F and also 4Lz.

I was thinking Tom Z could be moving to the same rink, when I heard he might be moving to California. But I’m not sure.

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Totally agree - people say "add a jump coach to the staff". My question is always, "And WHO, pray tell, is this magical / mythical person?" Once you get beyond the sal and the toe, these quads are a weird animal. The other aspects might not be Raf's field, but Nadia Kanaeva and Vera A. work with the skaters on other things. Their students use a lot of outside choreographers too...Well, only time will tell. Shoma is up to the challenge. I have 100% faith in that! And his personality is such that he would be able to get along with other skaters at any rink.

Quite the news. Didn't see this coming! Wherever he goes I hope he gets what he does this for and still has fun. I will support him no matter what!

I'm a little sad for myself too because we won't get to see Fluffy so much anymore. She's an amazing coach and amazing woman

I was surprised to see so many new posts today, after seeing why, I am also shooketh!

moonstruck said:

Thinking about such a big change...it's kinda stressful, but also exciting. I hope that wherever, and with whomever, Shoma will end up training, it will be a good fit for him and a place where he can feel comfortable.

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I hope Shoma will be happy too! This just shows how dedicated he / his team are to his career!

I still can't see him leaving Japan. I had Nanami Abe or Nakako Tsuzuki in mind!

There is bound to be quite an adjustment period for Shoma. Will he even take part in the grand prix season this year?

Dreamer57 said:

There is bound to be quite an adjustment period for Shoma. Will he even take part in the grand prix season this year?

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I'm kind of wondering when the heck he's going to have time to get his choreography! I see him doing the GPs, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he doesn't do Shombardia. That's a very early Challenger, and I wonder if he can be ready by then. Questions, questions! All we can do is support him.

el henry said:

For obvious reasons, I’d like to see Shoma at TCC, top training, great atmosphere, rinkside shoulder massages for Shoma
But mostly I want him to be where he is happy, and I hope that he can make the selection process without too much of a sideshow

Click to expand...

I don't see Shoma going to TCC, but if he did, I would see it as a real positive that Jason is there. He definitely has a comfort level with him after knowing him for so long, participating with him at many ice shows and comps, and we all know how Jason LOVES to practice his Japanese. :luv17: