Shoma Uno: 2014-2024

[Arriba627]

Still it is night here, but happy new year! I cant imagine how shoma will keep growing this year. He has no sealing as well as he's fine.



Awww. Thanks, thanks for your visit and report in your busy schedule! Its like a dream that his training rink is your neighborhood! It seems so hard training. Gambatte, shoma!

What are the chances he would be training so close to me?! They have been at a different rink besides Glacier, and this rink is even closer to where I live. Today I asked around if anyone knows where the family is staying, and (I'm still laughing) they're staying in the town I live in! :eekn: ...Today Itsuki put on a pair of hockey skates and was skating around the rink like a wild man for about a half hour. Shoma and Itsuki were skating together for awhile, and Alex told Shoma that Itsuki is faster than him! They were all laughing.

Yes MAI KATZE, I did change my Twitter name (twice)!

 

[Arriba627]

Even though I'm getting to the point where I HATE quads {{:curse:}}, I have to admit that Shoma's were looking pretty good today. And he did two textbook perfect quad Loops, so good in fact that he and Alex did a fist bump afterwards! I was there for quite awhile and saw him run through his FS twice and the SP once. More footwork again today. I think he and Gracie are inspiring each other to work hard!...One of the moms who was there watching her daughter said that Shoma brought presents for all the other skaters! (there are usually about 8 people on the ice when he's skating, and I think he knows most of them).

Yes, it is very hard to get up the nerve to ask if I can take his picture. But I figure I would never forgive myself if I didn't. Wasn't quite as hard this second time, because he's so polite and nice and just poses right away when you ask him. I still always ask permission, since some people don't want their photo to be taken.

ETA - That's Gracie in the background at the start of the video.

https://pic.twitter.com/wmD2aimdVq

 

[MaiKatze]

Does Shoma resemble his parents, Arriba? I wonder if he's fully grown....he's already 19, so I don't think he will become much taller.

 

[Arriba627]

Does Shoma resemble his parents, Arriba? I wonder if he's fully grown....he's already 19, so I don't think he will become much taller.

I would say that compared to his 3 family members, his skin is SO white. Maybe because he's indoors in a rink all the time! His brother Itsuki looks like his mom, and Shoma looks a little bit like her. The parents are both kinda small height-wise. Since I'm Shoma's height, everyone looks tall to me, but I'd say his mom is maybe 5'4" (162.5 cm) and his dad is maybe 5'6" 167.5 cm). Kinda hard to tell Itsuki's height, because he had on hockey skates which I think made him look taller. It was funny because I was walking behind Shoma as he was walking into the building wheeling his suitcase, and he looked like any other 12 year old who might be skating there that day! My guess is that he will not be getting any taller, especially since his parents are smaller. It will be interesting to see if his brother gets taller!


https://pic.twitter.com/Nj6cpWss6u
https://pic.twitter.com/w8aI53jZqX

 

[MaiKatze]

I would say that compared to his 3 family members, his skin is SO white. Maybe because he's indoors in a rink all the time! His brother Itsuki looks like his mom, and Shoma looks a little bit like her. The parents are both kinda small height-wise. Since I'm Shoma's height, everyone looks tall to me, but I'd say his mom is maybe 5'4" (162.5 cm) and his dad is maybe 5'6" 167.5 cm). Kinda hard to tell Itsuki's height, because he had on hockey skates which I think made him look taller. It was funny because I was walking behind Shoma as he was walking into the building wheeling his suitcase, and he looked like any other 12 year old who might be skating there that day! My guess is that he will not be getting any taller, especially since his parents are smaller. It will be interesting to see if his brother gets taller!


https://pic.twitter.com/Nj6cpWss6u
https://pic.twitter.com/w8aI53jZqX

Thanks for answering. I think looking at the parents of skaters is always so interesting. You often see Javier Fernandez' family in the stands, and you can see the similarities. Miki Ando's little daughter looks like her already. I've watched that older TV piece of Shoma where they visit him at home with his father, and I could see the resemblance there, so I wondered about his mother. I love to see the family supporting Shoma. And having his brother around is probably good for relaxing in the down time.

 

[kornkorn]

I have to admit that Shoma's were looking pretty good today. And he did two textbook perfect quad Loops, so good in fact that he and Alex did a fist bump afterwards! ).

Wow that's amazing to hear! I've always heard Shoma say in interviews that he can land the 4Lo really well in practices, yet suddenly can't land it in practices near competitions. I guess it's partly a nerve issue then, so I wonder how the 4Lo will play out in the future? It'd be nice for Shoma to have it for Oly, but I'm just afraid about the risk of falling.
Seriously every Shoma quad splat gives me a heart attack. It's always so brutal :hopelessness:

 

[Arriba627]

Wow that's amazing to hear! I've always heard Shoma say in interviews that he can land the 4Lo really well in practices, yet suddenly can't land it in practices near competitions. I guess it's partly a nerve issue then, so I wonder how the 4Lo will play out in the future? It'd be nice for Shoma to have it for Oly, but I'm just afraid about the risk of falling.
Seriously every Shoma quad splat gives me a heart attack. It's always so brutal :hopelessness:

Yesterday was the 6th day I went to see him practice. Besides some spectacular jumps, he has taken some spectacular falls! I don't know how he does it. But there are other junior and novice skaters practicing too, and their falls are pretty terrible too. He takes so much speed into his jumps. Same for Gracie - some bad falls. Sure hope they have a lot of calcium in their diets! I think he was just playing with the 4 Lo before, and he'll do better with it now that he had some instruction on how to do it properly. (I HATE that jump! :curse Group hug for his hips!

BTW, we ordered some extra special Chicago weather for poor Shoma -- with the wind chills -10F.(-23 C). He had a lesson scheduled with Alex from 7 am to 8:30. Can't even imagine how cold it seemed that early in the morning.

 

[demarinis5]

Thank you Arriba for all of the Shoma practice information, much appreciated! I have a question well actually two. Have the Japanese press been around at all
and are Shoma's practices being filmed. Just curious.

 

[Arriba627]

Thank you Arriba for all of the Shoma practice information, much appreciated! I have a question well actually two. Have the Japanese press been around at all
and are Shoma's practices being filmed. Just curious.

Haven't seen any Japanese press, although he is at the rink usually from around 6:30 am to 4 pm with a lunch break in there. I am there 9:30 to 3:30, so not sure what happens when I'm not there. So I'm guessing, but I haven't seen anyone. Same for filming practices...Just noticed in a video clip I have, he looks right at my camera and I get the feeling he didn't look happy when he saw me filming. Maybe just my imagination. So hard for me to do filming or photos, cos I hate to annoy people.

 

[demarinis5]

^Thank you. Goodness that is a long day for Shoma.

 

[Arriba627]

^^Very long day, but he takes breaks off and on. When I got there this morning, it was him, Gracie, and Itsuki (in hockey skates of course) on the rink. From what I can see his mom is there the entire time...Yesterday there was off-ice practice scheduled for 4 pm for the rink's students. I was SO glad Shoma didn't participate. It's very strenuous, and that's too much during the season. It was ok during the summer. One of the moms said they run sometimes 12-15 miles! I think they should call it Alex's Torture Time!

 

[demarinis5]

....and a long day for you too!

 

[shutterwhimsy]

Thanks for keeping us up to date on Shoma, Arriba! That's great that he's learning some safe jump technique and doing well! I was wondering, have you noticed if he or his brother interacted with Gracie at all? I've met her and she's pretty shy at first but soooo nice (kind of how I imagine Shoma being).

You're so lucky that you get to watch both Gracie and Shoma practice in person! I think we're all a little jealous.

 

[Arriba627]

Thanks for keeping us up to date on Shoma, Arriba! That's great that he's learning some safe jump technique and doing well! I was wondering, have you noticed if he or his brother interacted with Gracie at all? I've met her and she's pretty shy at first but soooo nice (kind of how I imagine Shoma being).

You're so lucky that you get to watch both Gracie and Shoma practice in person! I think we're all a little jealous.

I have seen very little interaction between Shoma and Gracie, if any. Very funny moment though yesterday when they were working on a move and Alex wanted to tell Shoma "do it one more time". He called Gracie over and said, "Help me tell him one more time in Japanese." Then Alex said he really needs to learn Japanese -- maybe Gracie knows a little? Gracie turned to Shoma and said "Ganbatte, Shoma" which I'm pretty sure means Good luck, right? They were all laughing.

Gracie's mom said it has been inspiring Gracie just to be on the ice with Shoma. I would think the reverse is true too. Except for a few light-hearted moments though, they are all business and working really hard. I understand Itsuki speaks some English, but didn't see him talking to Gracie. Today Shoma was sitting on a chair and Alex was pushing him around on the ice while they were all laughing. :scratch3: What was that all about?! Shoma looks like a little elf next to Alex.

Gracie is very sweet, and all the rink moms love both Gracie and Shoma.

By the way, I see that's your first post shutterwhimsy! Welcome.

 

[Arriba627]

Thanks for answering. I think looking at the parents of skaters is always so interesting. You often see Javier Fernandez' family in the stands, and you can see the similarities. Miki Ando's little daughter looks like her already. I've watched that older TV piece of Shoma where they visit him at home with his father, and I could see the resemblance there, so I wondered about his mother. I love to see the family supporting Shoma. And having his brother around is probably good for relaxing in the down time

I can't imagine doing skating without supportive parents. It would be really tough. It was great to see Shoma's family, Gracie's mom, and parents of several juniors who are also working hard and preparing for Nationals. Seems to me that he and Itsuki really are good buddies. Shoma was doing his warm up and talking with Itsuki most of the time as they skated around the rink together.

 

[shutterwhimsy]

Awwwww thank you so much! I've been following GS for a while but never really had any reason to post, but then I saw all of your great posts and wanted to thank you!!

Edit: That's a super cute story! I figured Gracie may have picked up some Japanese since she goes there a lot. I'm really glad her and Shoma are inspiring each other. Wonder if Gracie's mom and Shoma's mom have met yet since they're both definitely their kids' number one cheerleaders -- i bet they'd have a lot in common!

 

[lightkeizercitron]

Awwwww thank you so much! I've been following GS for a while but never really had any reason to post, but then I saw all of your great posts and wanted to thank you!!

Edit: That's a super cute story! I figured Gracie may have picked up some Japanese since she goes there a lot. I'm really glad her and Shoma are inspiring each other. Wonder if Gracie's mom and Shoma's mom have met yet since they're both definitely their kids' number one cheerleaders -- i bet they'd have a lot in common!

I guess Gracie speaks some Japanese also because she practices with Dice. They seem to be good friends

 

[Arriba627]

Awwwww thank you so much! I've been following GS for a while but never really had any reason to post, but then I saw all of your great posts and wanted to thank you!!

Edit: That's a super cute story! I figured Gracie may have picked up some Japanese since she goes there a lot. I'm really glad her and Shoma are inspiring each other. Wonder if Gracie's mom and Shoma's mom have met yet since they're both definitely their kids' number one cheerleaders -- i bet they'd have a lot in common!

I would bet they've met, although I don't know how much English Mrs. Uno speaks. She was SO cute. Gracie was running through one of her programs, and she was clapping like crazy every time Gracie hit a good jump. We thought she was watching Gracie more than Shoma! I guess that makes sense, since she can see Shoma whenever she wants!

ETA -- That's right -- I forgot Gracie trains with Daisuke Murakami.

 

[shutterwhimsy]

I would bet they've met, although I don't know how much English Mrs. Uno speaks. She was SO cute. Gracie was running through one of her programs, and she was clapping like crazy every time Gracie hit a good jump. We thought she was watching Gracie more than Shoma! I guess that makes sense, since she can see Shoma whenever she wants!

ETA -- That's right -- I forgot Gracie trains with Daisuke Murakami.

That's so cute. She seems like a really great mom and so supportive of Shoma and the other skaters.

 

[da96103]

Wow that's amazing to hear! I've always heard Shoma say in interviews that he can land the 4Lo really well in practices, yet suddenly can't land it in practices near competitions. I guess it's partly a nerve issue then, so I wonder how the 4Lo will play out in the future? It'd be nice for Shoma to have it for Oly, but I'm just afraid about the risk of falling.
Seriously every Shoma quad splat gives me a heart attack. It's always so brutal :hopelessness:

Shoma should stop watching Pogo's old jumps and watch the new ones.