Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani

[ice coverage]

deleted

 

[Mrs. P]

Hey I stumbled upon this fun video from Patrick Commentates Skating on the Shibs FD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfoMIQtC3Wk

It's really cute how he tears up at the end (something many can relate too! )

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Shibs are featured in the Bruins' video "Behind the B":

https://www.nhl.com/bruins/video/behind-the-b-season-3-episode-9/t-277437088/c-41194503

They're around the 6 min. 15 sec. mark.

They also wrote a motivational letter to the Youth Olympians:

http://www.teamusa.org/News/2016/Fe...ns-Write-Inspiring-Letters-To-Youth-Olympians

 

[naz]

Disclaimer: this post is a pretty long one, it contains no news and I just want to see if anyone here loves the Shibs for similar reasons.

Maia and Alex inspire me to be a better person.
They are both incredibly hard-working, creative, talented, fun, strong, intelligent and overall just amazing people, from what I've learned over the past few years. They have so many admirable qualities, and their commitment to not just skating, but their YouTube channel and charity projects is astonishing. They really are two of the best ice dancers in the world at the moment, who have accomplished so much against all odds, and the way they dance never fails to make me love figure skating more and more each time. Their love for their family and their dogs, and their passion for photography and cooking is also something I love about them. They care a great deal about their fans, which is such an amazing thing on its own. And even that is not the end, there's definitely so much more that we don't know about the two.
I look up to them a lot, and they inspire me to improve myself, because I ask myself "How can I be better? How can I be like them?" and if I get to be just a little bit like Maia and Alex, I'll be a very happy person. I wouldn't call them my 'idols' or perfect, because we're all human beings that have flaws, but I'm just sure that their flaws wouldn't be able to outweigh their strengths. Both together and on their own, the Shibutanis are amazing. Maia inspires me to strive to be like her, and Alex inspires me to seek in a guy the qualities that he possesses, because I know that if there is a guy like him, he certainly is a great one.

These two have also inspired me to DO so much, and I want to share a story of how their FD of this season got me through some stressful times. So last December I went to a Republican Olympiad (I live in Kazakhstan, so it's not like I was selected from thousands of people though ) and I was REALLY worried about it, since I felt the responsibility I had in front of my parents and my school because of the expectations they had from me. It was a stressful time, so every morning and every night I rewatched the Shibs' FD from the Grand Prix Final. The dance is gorgeous on its own, but seeing how Alex was so ill but still got out there and gave such an emotional performance along with Maia, who had so much trust in her brother, made me realize that if I try hard enough, anything is possible. The dance made me calm and gave me belief in myself. I ended up winning first place, and much of it is thanks to them, because had their performance not been helping me out all that time, I would be too nervous and stressed out to make it.

Last year when Denis brought his show to Almaty only, leaving out Astana, the city I live in, for explainable reasons, I was heartbroken. It was the Shibs' first time in Kazakhstan, their first time performing on the show I'd seen the year before that, and I was unable to be there to support them, to cheer on them and to just see them perform. I do hope that this year all the stars will align and I will be able to go and witness personally the beautiful wonder that they are.

So, if anyone made it to here, first of all, thank you and please, please share if you agree with me, or disagree, I would love to know why you love the Shibsibs, and if anyone can relate to this really long post

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

That was a very beautiful write-up. Thank you so much for sharing. It's a testament to Alex and Maia that they were able to build up such a dedicated fan base worldwide, and in countries where skating isn't necessarily part of the national consciousness yet. I also think it's very telling in their post-Nats interview where they talked about how much the fans meant to them this past year. I think there has been a serious outpouring of goodwill and support the fans have been showing them and I think that energy and positivity really carried them through this season, even with the disappointment in not medaling at the GPF. They gained a lot of new fans this season with their FD, even people who don't watch skating regularly as evidenced by the YouTube comments. Around the world, you see fans from around the world (namely Barcelona) who have seen them in person this season write to them directly or dedicated fan art/postings on Twitter and Instagram and many fans have supported them throughout the years.

I don't know about the rest of you but their National title was cathartic in a way because I feel like many of their dedicated fans have been with them on this journey and felt the disappointment they've faced since winning their World bronze. Their feeling of euphoria I bet was shared amongst many of their fans. It's nice when fans like you open up and tell us your story because I bet many of us are right there with you.

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Tracy Wilson talks about the Shibs and the rest of the current ice dance field in the latest TSL interview. It starts here:

https://youtu.be/tf1xAW1Yaxk?t=2431

I like that she just mentioned the Shibs as one of the top teams in the world without being asked about them initially.

Here are her thoughts about the Shibs beating C/B at Nationals and why it's a good thing for both teams:

https://youtu.be/tf1xAW1Yaxk?t=2845

 

[Hyena]

Lynn Rutherford interviewed the Shibs for IceNetwork. It's a very thoughtful interview as always and what really resonated with me is how they talk about each other:

I see Maia as being the best female ice dancer in the world right now. She is such a rock. I see her being an athlete, a skater, an artist, a great partner. She is so solid and stable, and I can tend to be a little bit more prone to emotion. ... It was tough when we started senior (in 2011) because we were kids; Maia was 16 when she won a world bronze medal. You are sort of thrust into the spotlight at an early age, and people are extra critical of your success and looking to figure out your weaknesses, and I think Maia has flourished and taken that all in stride.

Alex is so passionate about everything he puts his mind to, and I think that maybe that's some of the energy we're discussing. That's really led to some incredible creativity, and special moments. He also has a great sense of humor, which makes every day exciting. We're always extremely motivated, and we're very lucky to have that to continue on the next few years.

 

[tulosai]

Congrats to these two on their 4CC's SP LEAD! So excited for them!

 

[cathlen]

I don't care if they win 4CC or not, they sure has shown the world that they're a team to watch out! Congrats ShibSibs on new PB

 

[Sugarpova]

zomg unusual feeling of seeing SS 1st:think:

It will go on for some time!
pleassant feeling nonetheless!:agree:

 

[tvuckic16]

Nice job Shibs! Was not expecting these results, so good job!

 

[Layback11]

Omg, they did it! Nationals did them a world of good, I'm sure. I nearly screamed when I saw the result! I wish I could say they've got this in the bag, but I'm not sure (WeaPo are insanely close) so the FD should be a total Nail-Biter. Whee! :hap85:

 

[apgold]

Congrats to the Shibs in an almost tie with W/P. The FD will be very interesting. I had W/P winning but I think it will be very close.

I'm so happy that they've gotten momentum this season and their confidence and performances are getting better and better!

 

[Liz1201]

:hap85: I must have been one of the few who stayed up to watch the FD. Mountain time has its perks.

 

[xibsuarz]

Congratulations Maia and Alex on the 4 CC Title! Here's hoping for them to have a breathtaking performance at Worlds and get a Standing ovation!

 

[puremagic]

Congrats to Shibs! :agree:

 

[turquoiseblue]

Congratulations!!!

 

[NoNameFace]

they are not my favourites and I still have a bit of so-so feeling about FD (I know, I'm a nut) and sadness about WeaPo is here, but they really stepped up the game this season and progressed hard work - with help of better programs - into great results.

Big congratulations to Maia and Alex - for being a proof of hard work, persistency, fantastic sibling relationship, for being a motivation, inspiration as competitors, athletes and people

 

[Meoima]

I am so.... happy

 

[cathlen]

Congrats Shibs for not losing it all in FD and keeping 1st place! Hope it helps them gain enough confidence and their next performances may only be better!