There's a wonderful article about Shoma from Nikkan Sports:
https://www.nikkansports.com/sports...m_medium=social&utm_campaign=nikkansports_ogp
Contrast to most of articles/ interviews' "dramatic" or "not really appreciate the hard work of athletes" perspective, Matsumoto Wataru (the reporter of this article) showed the changes of Uno's speech between 2018 OG and 4CC.
***************************************************************
In the previous season, although Uno was one of the top skaters, there was no speeches that he consciously talked about (he wants to get) “Gold medal in Olympics”.
Although "air-headed" (tennen) was always used to describe Uno, somehow, for me, it didn't sound right. As Olympics was a competition that Uno "wants to do his best", and he really did.
(Then the whole comment from Uno in 4CC was quoted, for his answer to "why he said he want to win" in post game interview.)*
After the interview, Matsumoto met Demizu by chance. When Demizu heard Uno's comment, with his utmost smile, he replied "Oh really? I am really happy."
Demizu further said "I always talk positively, and I think it was the right timing to tell Uno (that I want him to win in WC). I have the experience that I feel regretful afterwards that I didn't tell him what I think, so "I don't want to be regret". I really hope that Uno will think "oh it was great" when he finish his competitive career. It would be lonely if he looked back and found out he didn't win in major competitions"
Uno started to work with Demizu since May 2017. After Japan National 2017, where Uno won his spot to Olympics, he said the relationship between him and Demizu “really helps”, then he made people laughed by saying “there’re no changes with my body”. Demi-san was asked about Uno’s comment a few days later, “That’s fine. What I said were just some hints, so it’s not necessary to care too much about it. Even as a trainer, figure skating is a world with many things that I don’t know. Especially for Uno, he’s totally different when he’s on/ off the ice. Probably Uno himself thinks he has to finish (with a satisfactory performance).“ Demizu’s reply left a strong impression for me.
Even In the competition venue filled with an intense atmosphere, before the 6 minute warm-up, Uno’s warm-up till now, was mainly focus on moving his body in a relax (happy) way such as playing basketball, or playing “catch ball game” using tennis ball. Probably other skaters want to say “Uno’s warm up exercise looks so fun”. On the other hand, at the beginning Demizu met Uno, he predicted that “probably Uno will injure himself around 21 years old”. As Uno has already turned 21, Demizu was planning to think about how to adjust (Uno’s training menus) again after this season.
It turned out that it was Uno who realized the necessity of warm-up by himself first. He sprained his ankle in Japan Nationals that was held right after his birthday. He even sprained on the same place twice again before he headed to 4CC.
Uno revealed: “The same place was injured 3 times. In the past, I thought that warm-up is ‘if I move my body, it’s OK’ and did various warm-up. When I was injured for the 3rd time, I think ‘I won’t be cured unless I do warm-up seriously and take care my injury seriously’. So far what I did was just something ‘warm-up alike’…(laughs)”
There’s no longer something “playful” for the final adjustment before heading to the rink. Being instructed by Demizu who he trusted, Uno takes around 30 minutes to warm-up his body. Uno looks like he is very stubborn, but sometimes there are exceptions.
“I don’t listen to others at all, but I always listen to (what they say) for whom I trust.”
The “eager to win announcement” at World Championship came out when Uno and Demi-san vector with the same direction. Uno was driven by the words “from whom his truly trust”. Demizu who understands Uno’s personality, built up their reliable relationship day by day, ‘I want Uno will say “it’s great!” when he ends his competitive career’, he thinks the importance to stick with results from heart.
Since 2019 begins, there were new pieces added to Uno’s puzzle, from reformation of warm-up menus, victory in 4CC Championship, to “eager to win announcement” at World Championship. What will he say when his puzzle is complete? I can hardly wait for his comment.
Notes:
Nikkan Sports also quoted part of Shoma's comment in their previous article, feimeicheng (at instagram) translated the conversation between Shoma and Demi-san to English:
https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190210-00477895-nksports-spo