Shoma Uno: 2014-2024

[demarinis5]

maybe i am overly enthusiastic idk but i don't feel the gloom you all are feeling here.

One thing watching shoma this entire competition, it was clear for me that shoma wasn't as motivated as he would have with bigger competition. and that's not really a critic because you can't choose your motivation. You can work on it but you can't choose it. You also can't change the feeling of a competition itself. In press-conference all 3 skaters remarked that the atmosphere was weird without Yuzuru, Javier and such.

I think he was of course motivated, he was serious about his preparation, he did everything that he could and skated the best he could. He tried as hard as he could as always but he was lacking that killer instinct that he has when skaters that he himself thinks are unattainable or nearly unbeatable are there. (and i personnally don't think that those skaters are unattainable or unbeatable for him, but it's what he feels that matters).

Maybe that's unfortunate and that's definitely something that he has to address for the future in his competitive career but i truly think grinding wins out is a lot more difficult than attacking a sort of ideal at least in Shoma's case. And changing attack into defense is a switch in mentality that's tough to do.

I also felt that we could really see how he seems to be the only one at this level to really treat competition as a game. And i've seen a lot of criticism of him that comes close to that. That it's a lack of respect or that he doesn't take it seriously enough. And i disagree completely. He competes in figure skating because he loves it so much and loves competing because he loves to challenge himself. he is a true competitor in that sense. And although he hates to lose, i think the satisfaction of challenging those hard layouts and such overtakes the win or lose.

I actually think it's really refreshing that Shoma has chosen that kind of innocent approach to sports like it's a game because ultimately it is...

anyways i agree with everyone it's frustrating that he lost for such a small amount and such silly circumstances with time violation and not knowing if he should do a combo at the end of his 3S etc. but him winning here wouldn't have changed the fact that both Nathan and him didn't skate well and will have some soul searching to do. But it's not like Yuzuru, Javier, Mikhail, Boyang etc. actually everyone of the favorites in the men have skated well this season either

I award you the Best Post of the Season!

 

[MaiKatze]

maybe i am overly enthusiastic idk but i don't feel the gloom you all are feeling here.

One thing watching shoma this entire competition, it was clear for me that shoma wasn't as motivated as he would have with bigger competition. and that's not really a critic because you can't choose your motivation. You can work on it but you can't choose it. You also can't change the feeling of a competition itself. In press-conference all 3 skaters remarked that the atmosphere was weird without Yuzuru, Javier and such.

I think he was of course motivated, he was serious about his preparation, he did everything that he could and skated the best he could. He tried as hard as he could as always but he was lacking that killer instinct that he has when skaters that he himself thinks are unattainable or nearly unbeatable are there. (and i personnally don't think that those skaters are unattainable or unbeatable for him, but it's what he feels that matters).

Maybe that's unfortunate and that's definitely something that he has to address for the future in his competitive career but i truly think grinding wins out is a lot more difficult than attacking a sort of ideal at least in Shoma's case. And changing attack into defense is a switch in mentality that's tough to do.

I also felt that we could really see how he seems to be the only one at this level to really treat competition as a game. And i've seen a lot of criticism of him that comes close to that. That it's a lack of respect or that he doesn't take it seriously enough. And i disagree completely. He competes in figure skating because he loves it so much and loves competing because he loves to challenge himself. he is a true competitor in that sense. And although he hates to lose, i think the satisfaction of challenging those hard layouts and such overtakes the win or lose.

I actually think it's really refreshing that Shoma has chosen that kind of innocent approach to sports like it's a game because ultimately it is...

anyways i agree with everyone it's frustrating that he lost for such a small amount and such silly circumstances with time violation and not knowing if he should do a combo at the end of his 3S etc. but him winning here wouldn't have changed the fact that both Nathan and him didn't skate well and will have some soul searching to do. But it's not like Yuzuru, Javier, Mikhail, Boyang etc. actually everyone of the favorites in the men have skated well this season either

You're of course right about this daphenaxa, but please let those of us who feel disappointed voice that disappointment, especially here in the fanfest. It's only been a few hours, and it is still very frustrating to me. I don't believe Shoma was robbed in any way.
Yes, this could be a blessing in disguise. Yes, it can help him in the long run. Yes, it's good that he's not tightening up and taking things too seriously. Just look how hard he took his seventh place at Worlds 2016. Still, Yuzuru is not going to be there forever, neither is Patrick Chan or Javier Fernandez. His main rivals for the years to come will be Nathan, Boyang and perhaps Kolyada, so he better take them seriously.
Right now my feeling is just simply "Argh!" Let me wallow.

 

[daphenaxa]

You're of course right about this daphenaxa, but please let those of us who feel disappointed voice that disappointment, especially here in the fanfest. It's only been a few hours, and it is still very frustrating to me. I don't believe Shoma was robbed in any way.
Yes, this could be a blessing in disguise. Yes, it can help him in the long run. Yes, it's good that he's not tightening up and taking things too seriously. Just look how hard he took his seventh place at Worlds 2016. Still, Yuzuru is not going to be there forever, neither is Patrick Chan or Javier Fernandez. His main rivals for the years to come will be Nathan, Boyang and perhaps Kolyada, so he better take them seriously.
Right now my feeling is just simply "Argh!" Let me wallow.

i understand your frustration and obviously have nothing against people posting their own feelings on the fanfest including frustration, disappointment etc. especially since i know it comes from a place of love, I was just offering my point of view.

Shoma seems pretty aware of your feelings with that answer from the link xeyra posted :
"From the beginning of the season, I just really wanted to compete in competitions, but [the preparation] has not been going well, and this time, finally, I was able to practice well. But even so, I realised that there are many aspects I cannot compensate with just 1-2 weeks of training. Still, even though I think I disappointed a lot of people, personally, I am quite satisfied. This was a good competition. The results represent my merit."

as for taking Nathan, Boyang, Mikhail etc. seriously, i'm sure he does. Learning how to compete with killer instinct against them, who he considers more like equals, rather than against his idols will just be something he has to learn.

 

[MaiKatze]

i understand your frustration and obviously have nothing against people posting their own feelings on the fanfest including frustration, disappointment etc. especially since i know it comes from a place of love, I was just offering my point of view.

Shoma seems pretty aware of your feelings with that answer from the link xeyra posted :
"From the beginning of the season, I just really wanted to compete in competitions, but [the preparation] has not been going well, and this time, finally, I was able to practice well. But even so, I realised that there are many aspects I cannot compensate with just 1-2 weeks of training. Still, even though I think I disappointed a lot of people, personally, I am quite satisfied. This was a good competition. The results represent my merit."

as for taking Nathan, Boyang, Mikhail etc. seriously, i'm sure he does. Learning how to compete with killer instinct against them, who he considers more like equals, rather than against his idols will just be something he has to learn.

I believe Shoma shouldn't care about my disappointment or disappointing ' a lot of people' he should first and foremost think about himself, and feel that disappointment himself. I don't understand it, when he says he was satisfied with the competition. Why? What was there to be satisfied about? I guess, the sentence about the 1-2 weeks of training is an explanation, and it is as I feared that that flu and the break in practice did have consequences, but for some reason he just doesn't want to say it or use it as an excuse. Or perhaps he simply doesn't want to say that he is frustrated indeed. I'm simply of a different mindset and disagree with some things. Back at Lombardia it frustrated me to no end that he thought of his result as some kind of anormality. I think he needs a lot more self-esteem, but that's just my opinion as an outsider. Maybe he is still too young for that.

 

[daphenaxa]

I believe Shoma shouldn't care about my disappointment or disappointing ' a lot of people' he should first and foremost think about himself, and feel that disappointment himself. I don't understand it, when he says he was satisfied with the competition. Why? What was there to be satisfied about? I guess, the sentence about the 1-2 weeks of training is an explanation, and it is as I feared that that flu and the break in practice did have consequences, but for some reason he just doesn't want to say it or use it as an excuse. Or perhaps he simply doesn't want to say that he is frustrated indeed. I'm simply of a different mindset and disagree with some things. Back at Lombardia it frustrated me to no end that he thought of his result as some kind of anormality. I think he needs a lot more self-esteem, but that's just my opinion as an outsider. Maybe he is still too young for that.

i'm with you on the lombardia situation and self esteem in general but don't you think that him being glad or satisfied of the things he could do here, apparently in some kind of adversity with 1-2 weeks of "good training" is also self-esteem in a way? Frustration itself is of no use in my opinion, it's useful when it builds hunger and incentive to improve. But being satisfied of small personal victories can also create incentive to improve and build motivation... so idk

 

[Latremu]

Ah well. I was hoping all the men would skate clean, then Nathan did what he did, and I was like, "Uh-oh". I was hoping for Shoma to just skate clean (a win would have been inevitable had he done so, but a clean skate would have cemented it), but when he came out, I knew he wasn't feeling it.

I understand your frustration, MaiKatze. I literally screamed out loud from frustration afterwards. Gosh, figure skating is tough! Both on its athletes and its fans. Anyhow, I hope this serves as an impetus for him to switch his thinking. He developed so fast, especially in these past two years. He needs to get used to thinking of himself as possibly the top skater to beat, and perform well regardless of any expectations (which I think is what he was trying to say in the interview). Easier said than done, but let's hope this competition's lessons will get carried forward.

 

[MaiKatze]

i'm with you on the lombardia situation and self esteem in general but don't you think that him being glad or satisfied of the things he could do here, apparently in some kind of adversity with 1-2 weeks of "good training" is also self-esteem in a way? Frustration itself is of no use in my opinion, it's useful when it builds hunger and incentive to improve. But being satisfied of small personal victories can also create incentive to improve and build motivation... so idk

You're right. It's hard to let go of the what-if's though, especially since Shoma jumped so beautifully in the warm-up and did so well. I just want to watch him skate to his potential, and not be the new posterboy of "see kids, this is why jumping quads is bad" For me Shoma is so much more than his quads, he's an artist on ice and I really wanted to see him shine in his home town. Who knows how long coach Yamada will be there for him? A victory in Nagoya would've been so special. I know, I'm probably more hung up on this than Shoma, so don't mind me. In two weeks there is another competition to worry about.

 

[demarinis5]

i understand your frustration and obviously have nothing against people posting their own feelings on the fanfest including frustration, disappointment etc. especially since i know it comes from a place of love, I was just offering my point of view.

Shoma seems pretty aware of your feelings with that answer from the link xeyra posted :
"From the beginning of the season, I just really wanted to compete in competitions, but [the preparation] has not been going well, and this time, finally, I was able to practice well. But even so, I realised that there are many aspects I cannot compensate with just 1-2 weeks of training. Still, even though I think I disappointed a lot of people, personally, I am quite satisfied. This was a good competition. The results represent my merit."
(snip)

The last sentence of Shoma's quote is very telling of how Shoma's thought process works with regard to skating. "The results represent my merit". In sport or anything in life when things don't go our way
acceptance is important it can allow us to forgive ourselves and motivate us to do better.

I am at my office but I cannot concentrate on work. I never shut my door but it is shut today.

On a bright note we have the Pairs, Ladies, Ice Dance and Gala to look forward to. I wonder which program Shomita will skate to at the Gala.

Hugs to you MaiKatze

 

[Latremu]

The frustration made me re-download Minion Rush on my phone for a distraction, which I hadn't played in 3 years! So I agree frustration may not always be a good thing, hehe (because there are more important things I should be doing).

Hmm, now I'm rethinking if maybe he should attend 4cc anyhow, if it would be good for him in the same way Compe du Printemps was good for him before Worlds. Since it's in Taiwan, he won't have jet lag issues even on going to Olympics, and it might help build confidence again. Well. We'll see what happens. I hope we get to see further development on the Turandot as well, and what Satomi Ito was hoping to see with him skating in this costume will come true someday soon.

 

[daphenaxa]

The frustration made me re-download Minion Rush on my phone for a distraction, which I hadn't played in 3 years! So I agree frustration may not always be a good thing, hehe (because there are more important things I should be doing).

Hmm, now I'm rethinking if maybe he should attend 4cc anyhow, if it would be good for him in the same way Compe du Printemps was good for him before Worlds. Since it's in Taiwan, he won't have jet lag issues even on going to Olympics, and it might help build confidence again. Well. We'll see what happens. I hope we get to see further development on the Turandot as well, and what Satomi Ito was hoping to see with him skating in this costume will come true someday soon.

honestly that wouldn't surprise me at all if shoma goes to 4CC. that would be very shomaesque

 

[nolangoh]

whole post

thank you daphenaxa for your words. I do feel a little less frustrated after reading your post. This is probably the most bitter loss for him, and in fact for me too as a spectator. I do agree that he seemed to have lacked a bit of "attack" or as you said, "killer instinct" here. He seemed, carefree and just wanted to have fun, which he had been saying since the beginning of this series. But maybe he had a little bit too much fun here that the title just slipped away.

But anyway, the past is in the past. We are all sad that he cannot take the gold here at home this time, but if he wants to do it again there will be opportunities in the future (like NHK Trophy or Nationals).

But on a positive note, I found his performance today VERY expressive. His gestures had more strength in them. His movements totally corresponds to the music. The edges and skating quality were also better. And I must point out that the pause and pose in the middle, right after he finished his step sequence, with his back facing the judges (and camera), was VERY charismatic.:luv17:


Also MaiKatze we understand your frustration, my heart still hurts a bit from it. I decided to binge watch Satoko's performance today. I highly recommend it. Hope that helps

 

[Latremu]

The last sentence of Shoma's quote is very telling of how Shoma's thought process works with regard to skating. "The results represent my merit". In sport or anything in life when things don't go our way
acceptance is important it can allow us to forgive ourselves and motivate us to do better.

I am at my office but I cannot concentrate on work. I never shut my door but it is shut today.

On a bright note we have the Pairs, Ladies, Ice Dance and Gala to look forward to. I wonder which program Shomita will skate to at the Gala.

Hugs to you MaiKatze

You can't work, I can't sleep. Shoma, what are you doing to us? [emoji24]

 

[Shomachika]

But on a positive note, I found his performance today VERY expressive. His gestures had more strength in them. His movements totally corresponds to the music. The edges and skating quality were also better. And I must point out that the pause and pose in the middle, right after he finished his step sequence, with his back facing the judges (and camera), was VERY charismatic.:luv17:


Also MaiKatze we understand your frustration, my heart still hurts a bit from it. I decided to binge watch Satoko's performance today. I highly recommend it. Hope that helps

Agreed. I actually think that he performed the steps and choreography a lot better than he did previously this season. He did less hand gestures and more movements on his feet. Watching him skate after Chen and Kolyada, I could totally feel the difference in their skating. Shoma’s movements were so much smoother and lyrical. The music really did move him. But it’s what made this defeat even more bitterly disappointing. He got it all to win this, if only.....

I still find this so hard to swallow. He did some killer jumps in the warm-up and practices had been so good too. He is capable of so much more than this. This performance was not deserving of his talents and passions. Remember Gpf last year when he was so jet lagged he couldn’t even stand up straight and still slayed in the free skate. Shoma needs to bring back that fighting spirit. Smiley puppy-face Shoma is so cute but I wanted him to skate like a hungry wolf. I know I’m being hard on him but love comes with expectations. I love you Shomachka but land your jumps, please.

 

[Hronop]

I sympathize with all of you... I was soooo frustrated with Shoma losing this title in his hometown. Even cried a bit (oh, yes, I am very sentimental, to be honest). I even started regretting the whole thing of being such a passionate supporter of a sportsman -- because, you know, it's sport, so one moment he/she wins and you're happy, and life seems bright and all that, and then next moment you find yourself in despair, because someone completely unfamiliar to you did not rise to your expectations. I kept repeating to myself that I should not expect Shoma to win this only because I love him (let's be brutally honest here) and because that would make me happy. But then, when I saw the result, I could not help myself from having that exact feeling. It's all so illogical and weird. And that feeling, and the bitterness of it, was prompted not so much by Shoma losing his title, as by Shoma not realizing his potential, not skating the way he could have skated, not showing everyone the sheer beauty of his programs and the shining splendor of his talent. That's what made me really sad.
Shoma once said that he wants to touch people's hearts rather than stay in record lists and so on -- he certainly touches my heart every time he skates. And that's why today my heart was broken.
Let's hope his best skates await us in the second half of the season. After sorrow comes joy...

 

[demarinis5]

Where is our Main Cheerleader, Arriba?????

 

[MaiKatze]

I sympathize with all of you... I was soooo frustrated with Shoma losing this title in his hometown. Even cried a bit (oh, yes, I am very sentimental, to be honest). I even started regretting the whole thing of being such a passionate supporter of a sportsman -- because, you know, it's sport, so one moment he/she wins and you're happy, and life seems bright and all that, and then next moment you find yourself in despair, because someone completely unfamiliar to you did not rise to your expectations. I kept repeating to myself that I should not expect Shoma to win this only because I love him (let's be brutally honest here) and because that would make me happy. But then, when I saw the result, I could not help myself from having that exact feeling. It's all so illogical and weird. And that feeling, and the bitterness of it, was prompted not so much by Shoma losing his title, as by Shoma not realizing his potential, not skating the way he could have skated, not showing everyone the sheer beauty of his programs and the shining splendor of his talent. That's what made me really sad.
Shoma once said that he wants to touch people's hearts rather than stay in record lists and so on -- he certainly touches my heart every time he skates. And that's why today my heart was broken.
Let's hope his best skates await us in the second half of the season. After sorrow comes joy...

I knew I was too invested and certainly into deep in the short yesterday. My heart was on overdrive during Shoma's skate. It's almost as bad with him as it was with Daisuke at the end of his career. But...I still can't just NOT watch it. I need to know, I need to see it live. It's only a sport, you're right, but it's different from the other sports too, because it's so individualistic. It's a competition, I know, but in the end it's about the individual and what he brings to the ice. That's why I can honestly say, I don't think Shoma was robbed here. No matter what Nathan did or did not do, it's Shoma's performance that counts.

 

[MaiKatze]

Home Ice doesn't apply in Japan for japanese skaters, we've seen this before. I think this deduction is absolutely ridiculous. I doubt it'll make a difference overall, but he is 2 points behind Nathan, and since they both are basically very tight it could be the point that he needs at the end. *grr*

:sad21::sad4::hopelessness:

 

[karyi]

I sympathize with all of you... I was soooo frustrated with Shoma losing this title in his hometown. Even cried a bit (oh, yes, I am very sentimental, to be honest). I even started regretting the whole thing of being such a passionate supporter of a sportsman -- because, you know, it's sport, so one moment he/she wins and you're happy, and life seems bright and all that, and then next moment you find yourself in despair, because someone completely unfamiliar to you did not rise to your expectations. I kept repeating to myself that I should not expect Shoma to win this only because I love him (let's be brutally honest here) and because that would make me happy. But then, when I saw the result, I could not help myself from having that exact feeling. It's all so illogical and weird. And that feeling, and the bitterness of it, was prompted not so much by Shoma losing his title, as by Shoma not realizing his potential, not skating the way he could have skated, not showing everyone the sheer beauty of his programs and the shining splendor of his talent. That's what made me really sad.
Shoma once said that he wants to touch people's hearts rather than stay in record lists and so on -- he certainly touches my heart every time he skates. And that's why today my heart was broken.
Let's hope his best skates await us in the second half of the season. After sorrow comes joy...

I feel the same and thank you for putting those beautiful words and feeling (he certainly touches my heart and it was unexpected). I have been only following figure skating closely for about one year and it's becoming very hard for me because I'm so scared for him (I can't watch him live anymore)
I have to admit I was so mad at him for this performance because he deserves so much now I'm calm but sad I ll be heart broken until nationals (see I'm overreacting)
God I didn't know that figure skating was so hard to follow :sad21:

 

[biryanione]

I sympathize with all of you... I was soooo frustrated with Shoma losing this title in his hometown. Even cried a bit (oh, yes, I am very sentimental, to be honest). I even started regretting the whole thing of being such a passionate supporter of a sportsman -- because, you know, it's sport, so one moment he/she wins and you're happy, and life seems bright and all that, and then next moment you find yourself in despair, because someone completely unfamiliar to you did not rise to your expectations. I kept repeating to myself that I should not expect Shoma to win this only because I love him (let's be brutally honest here) and because that would make me happy. But then, when I saw the result, I could not help myself from having that exact feeling. It's all so illogical and weird. And that feeling, and the bitterness of it, was prompted not so much by Shoma losing his title, as by Shoma not realizing his potential, not skating the way he could have skated, not showing everyone the sheer beauty of his programs and the shining splendor of his talent. That's what made me really sad.
Shoma once said that he wants to touch people's hearts rather than stay in record lists and so on -- he certainly touches my heart every time he skates. And that's why today my heart was broken.
Let's hope his best skates await us in the second half of the season. After sorrow comes joy...

do please hold out for that joy! He is a unique character and personality that belies a deep strength.
remember, this is a strange season for all of them, and for whatever reason (and I have my suspicions though I may likely be wrong) none of them are experiencing the expected. Nathan too had a strange instability to him that seemed to go beyond just today. (I thought, something’s definitely different from last season!)
At any rate I expect joy. no, I don’t even focus on the big O! but I will always know, at some point, that lovely creature will bring me joy!

 

[idontknow]

okaaay i want to share awkward!shoma
https://twitter.com/KATEIGAHO/status/939317347474489345
https://twitter.com/KATEIGAHO/status/939369210853040129