- Joined
- Aug 16, 2018
I noticed Sui/Han will also not be skating in the gala, and they have no reason not to be invited because they're silver medalists. I guess maybe there is another reason we don't know yet.
I woke up this morning and immediately feel sad when I remember Shoma won't skate in the gala. I'm actually more sad about this than him missing the Worlds podium, because honestly, at this point I just want to watch him skate again and again, whenever I can. I have taken Shoma's appearance in galas for granted, then I realized he was not the top two skaters in his discipline from his country in this Worlds. So he will be less prioritized for the galas when the result is like this, even if he finished really high in comparison to others
And something that I think about this morning is that... I think this Worlds was a great competition for Shoma to attend from a competitor perspective, while also clearly laying out the challenges he (and his new coaching team of course) will face going forward. It's pretty obvious that with no competitions and the uncertainty in this season, Shoma lost his competitive edge. There is no tension for him to be aware of, no sense of urgency to go to competitions to 100% nail them. The difference between his state before the pandemic and now is clear, he was fighting for survival back then and has the sharpness he may be lacking in this Worlds. Though he is pushing Champery skaters to up their game, facing off against the best of the best directly is a completely different thing. And now of course he doesn't only have to fight the skaters from other countries, even in Japan it would be a challenge with Yuma solidly in the mix to contend for the Olympic podium. Shoma definitely knows he needs to up his game to keep up going forward, and I hope he can balance that with his enjoyment for skating.
I am lowering expectations for any competition results from Shoma. Not being defeatist, but just realistic. I think he's at the point where he doesn't need to prove himself to me with results anymore, but of course he needs the results to stay in the sport. He's not the de facto #2 in Japan anymore. But it's not all doom and gloom. I believe there is still enough space in the sport for him, but maybe not always in the podiums at the highest levels. And who knows, ice is slippery and everyone has their good days and bad days. All Shoma has to do is keep himself healthy to continue fighting and improving.
That being said, this 4th place is really special to me not just because of difference with 2019 Worlds, but also, he did this after all the changes he did in his career and opening himself up more to us, his fans. He openly games, he makes silly videos, he cares for his dogs. He's training overseas with a foreign coach, speaking English here and there. He doesn't beat himself up too harshly after a missed jump and missing the podium. And he is still loved and supported by people and environment that I think are healthy, when judged by this sports' standards. The more I remember 2019 Worlds the more I cried because it had been quite a journey from that 4th place to this 4th place.
Lastly... I can't wait for new programs. Finally, I can say that
Thank you Grespi and DOMO for being there for this traumatic yet healing period in Shoma's career. Every program of Shoma gives me unique and complex feelings, and these two with their history will definitely stay with me.
I woke up this morning and immediately feel sad when I remember Shoma won't skate in the gala. I'm actually more sad about this than him missing the Worlds podium, because honestly, at this point I just want to watch him skate again and again, whenever I can. I have taken Shoma's appearance in galas for granted, then I realized he was not the top two skaters in his discipline from his country in this Worlds. So he will be less prioritized for the galas when the result is like this, even if he finished really high in comparison to others
And something that I think about this morning is that... I think this Worlds was a great competition for Shoma to attend from a competitor perspective, while also clearly laying out the challenges he (and his new coaching team of course) will face going forward. It's pretty obvious that with no competitions and the uncertainty in this season, Shoma lost his competitive edge. There is no tension for him to be aware of, no sense of urgency to go to competitions to 100% nail them. The difference between his state before the pandemic and now is clear, he was fighting for survival back then and has the sharpness he may be lacking in this Worlds. Though he is pushing Champery skaters to up their game, facing off against the best of the best directly is a completely different thing. And now of course he doesn't only have to fight the skaters from other countries, even in Japan it would be a challenge with Yuma solidly in the mix to contend for the Olympic podium. Shoma definitely knows he needs to up his game to keep up going forward, and I hope he can balance that with his enjoyment for skating.
I am lowering expectations for any competition results from Shoma. Not being defeatist, but just realistic. I think he's at the point where he doesn't need to prove himself to me with results anymore, but of course he needs the results to stay in the sport. He's not the de facto #2 in Japan anymore. But it's not all doom and gloom. I believe there is still enough space in the sport for him, but maybe not always in the podiums at the highest levels. And who knows, ice is slippery and everyone has their good days and bad days. All Shoma has to do is keep himself healthy to continue fighting and improving.
That being said, this 4th place is really special to me not just because of difference with 2019 Worlds, but also, he did this after all the changes he did in his career and opening himself up more to us, his fans. He openly games, he makes silly videos, he cares for his dogs. He's training overseas with a foreign coach, speaking English here and there. He doesn't beat himself up too harshly after a missed jump and missing the podium. And he is still loved and supported by people and environment that I think are healthy, when judged by this sports' standards. The more I remember 2019 Worlds the more I cried because it had been quite a journey from that 4th place to this 4th place.
Lastly... I can't wait for new programs. Finally, I can say that
His SP in particular was so energetic, electrifying and lots of joy despite the mistake. SHoma made his coach Stephane proud and smile. the Small medal really is a nice reward for his all hard work during this very difficult season for every skaters.