Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani

[Barb]

yo does anyone know any good fan edits/videos of maia and alex? i would love to see them!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Hc0QzGCHQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcQJe8Uuaws
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSBmkwTU9as
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SIp_K3Y5pA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYDdMYxLuKk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT96SLHhwOs

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Article about that Maia´s lateral exercise https://www.self.com/story/olympic-ice-dancer-maia-shibutani-lateral-exercise-cardio-move

 

[Barb]

Maia Shibutani Details The Pride, Excitement, Honor Preparing For Her Second Olympics Has Brought Her: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/J...ement-Honor-Preparing-For-Her-Second-Olympics
New blog for Team USA by Maia

Some interesting text excerpts:

-The U.S. championships were held in San Jose, California at the beginning of this month. Now, when I reflect on that week of competition, the primary emotions I feel are pride, excitement and gratitude. However if I’m being honest, because I’m human, competitive, and have high expectations and standards for myself, I was initially frustrated

-With time, perspective, love and support from my amazing brother/teammate, parents, coaches, friends, fellow athletes and supporters, that frustration has been replaced with fire, confidence and resolve.

-I didn’t catch my edge because I was nervous or lost focus – what happened was a fluke. That mistake will never happen again and knowing that is definitely a little bittersweet and challenging.

-The outcome of the competition wasn’t what I know we’re capable of, but that’s okay. As an athlete, I prefer that feeling as opposed to knowing I gave it my best and wondering why my best wasn’t enough.

-Since returning from San Jose, Alex and I haven’t just been steadily improving and polishing. Instead, things have somehow shifted into another gear.

-Since we began this season, our goal was to be in our paradise at the Olympic Games.

 

[Celine]

Impressive that Maia and Alex were chosen by INTEL. Only 6 athletes worldwide including 2 from Asia and 4 from the US.

INTEL signed on as a "Worldwide Olympic Sponsor" alongside the likes of VISA, Coca-Cola and P&G that select athletes from a worldwide pool

https://newsroom.intel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2018/01/team-intel-fact-sheet.pdf

 

[Barb]

Lots of interviews, articles, pictures :cool2:

Sports Illustrated https://www.si.com/olympics/video/2018/01/25/meet-team-usa-alex-and-maia-shibutani

InStyle http://www.instyle.com/videos/olympics-alex-maia-shibutani-siblings-ice-dancing

AOI interview https://www.aol.com/article/news/20...gs-come-of-age-in-time-for-olympics/23342812/

UPROXX sports http://uproxx.com/sports/alex-maia-shibutani-olympics-milkbone-dogs/

Cosmopolitan http://www.cosmopolitan.com/enterta...utani-olympic-ice-dancing-siblings-interview/
¨ Our parents´ favorite ShibSib? Maia: the truth? Alex: (he looks at her surprised/intrigued) what is the truth?!!¨

Great article!! They did not say anything directly, but reading it gave me the impression that they are not thinking of retirement soon

Maia share bizarre dream with The Rock https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news...i-Share-Bizarre-Dream-The-Rock-468056823.html

 

[Kurisu]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Hc0QzGCHQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcQJe8Uuaws
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSBmkwTU9as
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SIp_K3Y5pA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYDdMYxLuKk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT96SLHhwOs

thanks a lot! now i have one more question if you will! there is a picture i remember of alex crying on the ice ring and maia holds his face in her hands. does anyone know where i can find that picture?

 

[FSLover17]

Do you mean this? If so, it was their free dance at the 2014 Nationals in Boston where they skated very well and wound up 3rd and on the Olympic team. This might be the photo you mean
http://cdn04.cdn.justjaredjr.com/wp...alex-shibutani-us-nationals-free-skate-05.jpg

Edit: Shibsibs are on Minute Maid juice cartons! https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DwMlGlnlNv8/hqdefault.jpg

 

[Kurisu]

Do you mean this? If so, it was their free dance at the 2014 Nationals in Boston where they skated very well and wound up 3rd and on the Olympic team. This might be the photo you mean
http://cdn04.cdn.justjaredjr.com/wp...alex-shibutani-us-nationals-free-skate-05.jpg

yes this is what i meant. thank you so much!

 

[Barb]

They made a video for their mom, soooo beautiful ( OUR MOM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eab9t8GMrsA ) :luv17:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwMlGlnlNv8 Shibs: WE'RE ON A JUICE CARTON?!?!

They are in the @Topps 2018 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic trading cards Alex https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/958911164066467840
Maia https://twitter.com/MaiaShibutani/status/958896729566392322

Maia as single skater https://www.instagram.com/p/Betv5RDhz6i/?taken-by=maiashibutani

Olympic media press conference: http://web.icenetwork.com/video/topic/265554398/v1873997583

some quotes from the Shibs' press call:
https://twitter.com/fsonline/status/959232952923316229

 

[skatingfan4ever]

They made a video for their mom, soooo beautiful ( OUR MOM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eab9t8GMrsA ) :luv17:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwMlGlnlNv8 Shibs: WE'RE ON A JUICE CARTON?!?!

They are in the @Topps 2018 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic trading cards Alex https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/958911164066467840
Maia https://twitter.com/MaiaShibutani/status/958896729566392322

Maia as single skater https://www.instagram.com/p/Betv5RDhz6i/?taken-by=maiashibutani

Olympic media press conference: http://web.icenetwork.com/video/topic/265554398/v1873997583

some quotes from the Shibs' press call:
https://twitter.com/fsonline/status/959232952923316229

it all!!!!! chapis! The Minute Maid carton video is hilarious, the mom video is so heartwarming and moving, and Maia as a singles skater is so cute!!! She definitely found her artistic voice on the ice with Alex though. They are so sweet and thoughtful to acknowledge their mom like this. At first I assumed it was a commercial they did, but actually they made this video on their own and because they chose to, which makes it even better! :luv17: All the clips of when they were little are too precious for words! :yes: Best wishes in Pyeongchang, ShibSibs!!!

 

[slider11]

Maia Shibutani Details The Pride, Excitement, Honor Preparing For Her Second Olympics Has Brought Her: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/J...ement-Honor-Preparing-For-Her-Second-Olympics
New blog for Team USA by Maia

Some interesting text excerpts:

-[

Since returning from San Jose, Alex and I haven’t just been steadily improving and polishing. Instead, things have somehow shifted into another gear.

-What do you think this means? Rather than improving and polishing, how can the Shibs be putting it into another gear? Will we see a new program? Will there be drastic changes to the program?

 

[dorispulaski]

My guess would be that they have increased their speed over the ice.

 

[Barb]

My guess would be that they have increased their speed over the ice.

Maybe, but they are enough fast, I hope they meant that they are skating clean, with the same speed but completely clean is the goal in my opinion. And about the program, at the teleconference, Alex said they've been working on their free dance since Nationals. "We've made a lot of really positive changes. The program has changed quite a bit."
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They leave today for Korea :hpull: https://www.instagram.com/p/Be0OdYqBgqu/?taken-by=maiashibutani
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And Maia finally made a ¨Get ready with me ¨ video :cool14: :hap57: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-9Ua9Ly23Q&t=334s, People had asked her for some time now.

Maia: This is the 1st ShibSibs video I filmed BY MYSELF!!! On January 22nd, Alex and I were in New York City to help Team USA and Ralph Lauren unveil the Opening Ceremony Uniform.
For ALL of our competitions and a majority of our other events, I do my own hair and makeup. I’m always looking for and learning new tips, but over the years I’ve figured out some things that work for me.
I’m definitely not a beauty guru, but that morning I was feeling ambitious. Considering it was my first time filming a video like this, maybe next time I shouldn’t do it when I have somewhere to be (like be on time for a TODAY Show appearance)
[SPOILER: I didn’t include putting on lipstick in this video]
Hope you guys enjoy seeing an overview of what I do. Maybe in the future, I can film shorter videos that go into more detail. Maybe I'll do a video completely dedicated to eyeliner!
*Alex helped me with the text and effects because he has “quality” standards for our videos.
*Hopefully after helping me with this edit, he won't be completely lost if we do a video where he does my makeup!
*I don’t mention any brand names because of Rule 40. Sorry! I will come back and add a product list in March.

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The Shibs started a new ShibShow page on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ShibShow/

 

[Celine]

New ShibSibs video: ONE YEAR AGO - SEOUL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BFsAkLteUk

"We just arrived in Korea!
Last February, we spent an extra two days in Korea after the Four Continents Championships. We served as Sports Envoys with the U.S. State Department and were ambassadors for Team USA. We learned about Korean culture, dance, food, and led a skating seminar and a youth forum at the U.S. Embassy Seoul. It was an amazing experience and we’re so happy to be back in Korea for the #WinterOlympics!"

Once again, the extra effort that Maia and Alex make, going above and beyond (any of their peers) to promote and positively represent the sport.

 

[Barb]

THE RINGER article: The Shib Sibs Are About to Skate Into Your Hearts
https://www.theringer.com/2018/2/8/...-team-usa-ice-dance-pyeongchang-olympics-2018

A great and long article, one of the few where it seems the writer knows what she is talking about. It details almost all their career, it could substitute their Wikipedia, lol.

It starts with they talking about the stressful moments during the warm-up in 4cc 2017 when they fell:

“We were both sliding on our backs, seeing the ceiling,” Maia, 23, says during a recent FaceTime conversation at the end of a long training day, tilting her face skyward and recalling what should have been a brief and breezy routine group warm-up period that preceded the free dance at the 2017 Four Continents event. As the Shibutanis and several other competing teams skated around the rink for a few minutes to loosen up, Alex suddenly totally bit it, pulling Maia down with him. “And that never happens,” Maia says.

“And it’s the worst thought,” Alex, 26, continues. When the Shib Sibs tell a story, it’s almost always a joint effort. “You’re at the Olympic venue, and you’re staring up at the ceiling, and you’re doing the backstroke, and the judges are watching, and they’re human beings, so they’ll remember that.”

“It’s about us pushing boundaries,” Maia says, “not just to fulfill the technical requirement, but to really take into consideration where it goes into the program and what it does for our energy.”

“There’s that: ‘Oh, are they vulnerable?’” says Maia, voicing the skeptical, tsk-tsk inner workings of the mind of the median figure skating judge.

“‘Are they vulnerable all of a sudden?’” Alex repeats.

Which is why Alex’s outright wipeout, which took Maia down with him, was so nerve-racking, even if it was only in warm-ups. What happened next was worse: When he stood up, instead of feeling the familiar catch of the edge of his skate on the rink—that literal thin line between being one of the best and most precise performers in the world and being a Stooge slipping on a banana peel—he felt only an icy void. “My blade just kept sliding out,” he says.

He left the ice, examined his blade, and saw that it was badly nicked, maybe by some errant piece of debris that had wound up on the gleaming new rink and caused his fall, although there was no time for a forensic investigation. He and Maia were in second place after the previous day’s short dance and set to perform again in about 10 minutes. Their careful pre-skate routine had been completely disrupted. It was the stuff anxiety dreams are made of.

Digging through his equipment bag, Alex located a skate-sharpening stone similar to what a professional chef would use on his best knives and began working over the damaged blade while “my coaches are standing over me, which isn’t helping,” he says, recalling their well-meaning but stressful presence. “That’s not something every skater knows how to do,” says Maia, who was also reduced to looming and lurking, not knowing whether her older brother would be able to fix things in time for them to compete.

Somehow he was able, and they did compete, and their free dance was “really strong,” says Maia—strong enough for them to win silver in the same building where, a year later, they now hope to stand on the medal podium again during the 2018 Winter Olympics.
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And Alex says that they do 19 twizzles in their SP

 

[Barb]

FD practice http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/shi...-practice-rink

For geo-blocked https://streamable.com/cwwmx

 

[demarinis5]

Shibs are looking fabulous! Thanks for sharing! So excited to see their wonderful dances again!

 

[FSLover17]

Saw some really nice changes to their free dance! Seems like the Shibs are doing both programs: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2018/02/08/266103376

"The Shibutanis are doing the short dance, and there might be a decision on the free dance, but so far I think it was (decided) the Shibutanis would do both," Dubreuil said.

 

[Kurisu]

just read the ringer article and is has to be the most beautiful and insightful one i have ever read so far. it didn't drone on about them being siblings and how that would "hurt" their careers, it only touched on it slightly. it focused a lot on their effort to be different and their iron hard bond with each other. i also learned that so many romantic couples used the same old songs to the point when the judges are tired them, i must say i had a smug smile and felt like i had achieved a victory when i read that.

i would also like to applaude alex on using the difference of he and his sister compared to other dancers, when he said it's like comparing a war movie to a love story. it really is so different and i saw how the judges could have a bit on their hands with their choices. but as i said before their love for each other as siblings is what makes their dance much more special than the others. for the few times siblings are spotlighted, i'm glad the attention they are getting (as in shibsibs and les twins) is the right amount and done to justice.

 

[Barb]

Maia and Alex Shibutani searching for podium 'Paradise' at Winter Olympics Detroit Free press
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...butani-winter-olympics-ice-dancing/305156002/

Interesting article, their parents talk about the sacrifices they had to do for Alex and Maia´s career. They had already decided to settle permanently in Connecticut and they built a house that they had to sell shortly after to move to Colorado Springs where Maia and Alex had more opportunities for sport. And how her dad traveled from NY to Colorado Springs each week and how her mom become in kind of a single parent. Lately, their dad took a new job and he commutes back and forth from Boston every week.

I do not wonder why Maia and Alex are so proud of their parents and are so grateful to them.
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Interview with Meryl for Click on Detroit https://www.clickondetroit.com/spor...n-arbor-siblings-competing-in-second-olympics

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Sweet message from Massimo: I still remember how excited we were four years ago when we started our first lesson together. Tomorrow @maiashibutani and @alexshibutani will officially start competing here #pyeongchang2018 . I’m so proud to have been a part of the journey that brought us here sharing this Olympic experience together. Thank you for all the love and appreciation that made me feel like a part of your own family. It’s going to be AWESOME!! Love you guys.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfA1i9JDKDv/?taken-by=massyscali

Maia: Love this and love you! Very happy we have been on this journey together!

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Good luck ShibSibs, you can do it!!!

 

[demarinis5]

Good Luck to the Shibs!!!!!