Shoma Uno
- Thread starter rabidline
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2021
Ah yes, the fabled International Shomological Museum... I think you have to contact your local Shospitality agency to get tickets.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2014
Happy to see from this fan cam that in spite of the difficult weather, the stands look very full! @rabidline hope you were able to get there safe and sound.
I'm looking at this photo and saying "Wow, this group has 6 Oly medals between them!" Pretty amazing! 2 bronze, 3 silver, and 1 gold.
I'm looking at this photo and saying "Wow, this group has 6 Oly medals between them!" Pretty amazing! 2 bronze, 3 silver, and 1 gold.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2004
Oh my, that was beautiful!!!
Thanks Arriba!
Thanks Arriba!
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2014
Finally done with cutting and editing! 
Here is the StephSho duet in one piece (pun fully intended 
):
And Shoma's solo "The Spectre" (I really like this kind of program for him - kudos to Marin for creating the fun choreography!):
Here is the StephSho duet in one piece (pun fully intended ):And Shoma's solo "The Spectre" (I really like this kind of program for him - kudos to Marin for creating the fun choreography!):
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2014
@synesthesia Thx for your efforts on putting the duet all in one piece, it really emphasizes how it was seamless from beginning to end. I love how the audience is dying to clap and (probably?) thinks it's over with the spins and then they clap. Like they don't want to break the mood of the piece. Phew. I may watch that 50 times! And for Sho to finish where he just floats off in that mini spiral or mini arabesque or whatever you want to call it!
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2014
@synesthesia Thx for your efforts on putting the duet all in one piece, it really emphasizes how it was seamless from beginning to end. I love how the audience is dying to clap and (probably?) thinks it's over with the spins and then they clap. Like they don't want to break the mood of the piece. Phew. I may watch that 50 times! And for Sho to finish where he just floats off in that mini spiral or mini arabesque or whatever you want to call it!
Oh, I probably should have specified - it's from my own recording, so it was already in one piece, but I cut all of the individual performances from the complete show, saved them and uploaded them onto google drive and then posted some of them in the respective fan fests.
Am probably going to post all of the group numbers + opening and finale in the Japanese shows thread in The Edge too, so that more people will see them.
Fabulous duet which made me quite emotional. I hope Shoma and Stephane can duet professionally many more times in the future. They don't skate, they float.
My favourite part is when Shoma spread eagles as Stephane does an arabesque. Side by side, supporting each other. That's where they belong
My favourite part is when Shoma spread eagles as Stephane does an arabesque. Side by side, supporting each other. That's where they belong
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2014
A talented fan created this amazing piece of art, inspired by the starting pose (the moment right before the first picture of the ig post above was taken)
:Shizuka, Mao and Dai welcoming Sho into the professional ranks and wishing him good luck for "One Piece" (if I understand correctly)
:
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2014
Wonderful news is being reported!!!!!
"The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) will set up a venue for awarding the medal to Shoma Uno (26), a member of the figure skating team that won a silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, who was unable to attend the medal ceremony held in Paris this summer. According to a source in Tokyo, they are considering setting the 10th as the date, and are making arrangements for him to attend."
mainichi.jp
"The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) will set up a venue for awarding the medal to Shoma Uno (26), a member of the figure skating team that won a silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, who was unable to attend the medal ceremony held in Paris this summer. According to a source in Tokyo, they are considering setting the 10th as the date, and are making arrangements for him to attend."
宇野昌磨さんへの北京五輪団体メダル授与、10日軸に調整 JOC | 毎日新聞
2022年北京冬季オリンピックで銀メダルとなったフィギュアスケート団体で、今夏にパリであったメダル授与式に参加できなかった男子の宇野昌磨さん（26）に対し、日本オリンピック委員会（JOC）がメダル授与の場を設けることになった。関係者によると東京都内で10日を軸に検討しており、本人も出席する方向で調
mainichi.jp
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2018
Hello! Sorry for not updating that much throughout the trip here, I just got back from Japan yesterday.
It was an amazing trip and a great new experience to finally watch Friends on Ice in person. I have always thought that this show is my least favored concept for an ice show, because it has a lot of older skaters who are not competing. Until now, I always have liked shows with mostly active skaters that showcased new programs for the new seasons more, because those are what I'm most interested in, at least until Shoma retired... So it really brought a different kind of excitement to me, it's more like watching a concert than a showcase.
In a way, Shoma stood out in this show interestingly as someone who is clearly too recently retired to really purposed his performances for the fans, lol. But it's also refreshing to have someone who is clearly not trying to please everyone and just do his own thing. His skating is pretty great as always although I did have an interesting experience here (will talk about it in my review for both of his programs). He skated really well in the opening and the finale of the shows I watched- and he even got lifted twice which was one of my highlights (so surprising!!!).
It was an amazing trip and a great new experience to finally watch Friends on Ice in person. I have always thought that this show is my least favored concept for an ice show, because it has a lot of older skaters who are not competing. Until now, I always have liked shows with mostly active skaters that showcased new programs for the new seasons more, because those are what I'm most interested in, at least until Shoma retired... So it really brought a different kind of excitement to me, it's more like watching a concert than a showcase.
In a way, Shoma stood out in this show interestingly as someone who is clearly too recently retired to really purposed his performances for the fans, lol. But it's also refreshing to have someone who is clearly not trying to please everyone and just do his own thing. His skating is pretty great as always although I did have an interesting experience here (will talk about it in my review for both of his programs). He skated really well in the opening and the finale of the shows I watched- and he even got lifted twice which was one of my highlights (so surprising!!!).
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2018
I want to be clear that I literally booked the flight tickets and asked for help to buy the tickets the moment Stephane was announced as a cast for this show (Shoma was announced earlier) precisely because I anticipated this collaboration. Everyone has their own opinions about their coach/student relationship, but for me, everything about it from start to finish was so serendipitous both for Shoma and for Stephane, so I thought, if they every got the opportunity to skate together it would be very sentimental. And well, Shizuka Arakawa understands- because she was also the one who made them skate together in 2018 before all of this happened.
And what a sentimental collaboration it was. Compared to all the other group numbers, this duet was very simple and less of a production (no super fancy lighting work or smoke machines here!!!) but like... seeing how much love, pride and joy there were in Stephane's eyes when he looks at Shoma throughout the program is truly an overwhelming experience. It brought me back to 2019 where everyone said Shoma's done, and people were already talking down about his achievements and hard work and his talent. Like it was so unpleasant at times to be a Shoma fan because I can't talk about how he has this incredible talent and musicality without having to grovel and admit his jumps were bad, he was overscored, bla bla bla. But then to see Stephane easily acknowledging and speaking about Shoma's talents, about Shoma's skills, about Shoma's hard work and amazing work ethic was such a novel moment back then. Like what I see from Shoma was not my imagination- someone else sees it and believes in it and he will do his best to make sure Shoma can skate happy and have his back when Shoma decides to finally fight for the top.
It also reminds me just how different Shoma and Stephane are. As performers, as skaters, as.... people. These are clearly two people who come from different worlds, who have different support systems, who have different friend circles. And yet they understand how to communicate with each other- they care about each other as people. And that's what makes it magical- even their styles that looks very obviously different in person manage to complement each other because they constantly watch the other to match their breathing, their rhythm. Two very different interpreters meeting in that moment on the ice. And it's so visible because they came out with completely different styles for their own solo programs.
The song choice!!! The song. Please read the lyrics of the song, and the Italian version at that. And beyond that- the way Shoma skates so delicately and solemnly with Matteo Bocelli's gentler and softer voice and delivery. The way Stephane skates so proudly and joyfully with Andrea Bocelli's happiness as he sings to his son. And I just love the quieter moments in it- the first refrain where they just glided while looking at each other made my heart ache. It really represents that their partnership worked not just at the big championships and medals, but also the quiet moments where they simply showed kindness to the other because they care- and that's sometimes all they need to find belief in their own selves and rise up. They're not perfect people- it's really hard to be perfect when you care very much, because emotions get messy.
The overall collaboration is again, very simple. But it really makes it more... representative to their actual partnership, I guess? They didn't make a show of how close their relationship are or something super staged like doing a lift or skating in hold or something lol. It really just them skating together, appreciating each other and what they both achieved together, and well... Stephane really made it clear that he'll continue to root for Shoma in the future whatever he chooses to do. And then the end... Shoma moves on to his own future, Stephane spins with his own future. They really do have different worlds, but they learned a lot by meeting each other. I think it was a great way to close this really wonderful chapter that has brought so much belief, happiness and achievements for both of them.
Also on the very last show they hugged briefly in the dark before getting into their starting position... and there was an encore for all group numbers and they kinda did improvise with the choreo that they had and it was really beautiful too. Shoma was solemn throughout the actual program but he was grinning in amusement during the encore (and he also trolled Stephane by letting him go early during the spiral making Stephane had to wobble to find balance wkwkwkwkkwkw).
Ah also!! I am so happy to see the White Moonlight costume back, it's one of my favorite Shoma costume. Under the lights with Stephane's simple black shirt it looks and shines really beautifuly, like Stephane is "outlining" Shoma as his shadow.
And what a sentimental collaboration it was. Compared to all the other group numbers, this duet was very simple and less of a production (no super fancy lighting work or smoke machines here!!!) but like... seeing how much love, pride and joy there were in Stephane's eyes when he looks at Shoma throughout the program is truly an overwhelming experience. It brought me back to 2019 where everyone said Shoma's done, and people were already talking down about his achievements and hard work and his talent. Like it was so unpleasant at times to be a Shoma fan because I can't talk about how he has this incredible talent and musicality without having to grovel and admit his jumps were bad, he was overscored, bla bla bla. But then to see Stephane easily acknowledging and speaking about Shoma's talents, about Shoma's skills, about Shoma's hard work and amazing work ethic was such a novel moment back then. Like what I see from Shoma was not my imagination- someone else sees it and believes in it and he will do his best to make sure Shoma can skate happy and have his back when Shoma decides to finally fight for the top.
It also reminds me just how different Shoma and Stephane are. As performers, as skaters, as.... people. These are clearly two people who come from different worlds, who have different support systems, who have different friend circles. And yet they understand how to communicate with each other- they care about each other as people. And that's what makes it magical- even their styles that looks very obviously different in person manage to complement each other because they constantly watch the other to match their breathing, their rhythm. Two very different interpreters meeting in that moment on the ice. And it's so visible because they came out with completely different styles for their own solo programs.
The song choice!!! The song. Please read the lyrics of the song, and the Italian version at that. And beyond that- the way Shoma skates so delicately and solemnly with Matteo Bocelli's gentler and softer voice and delivery. The way Stephane skates so proudly and joyfully with Andrea Bocelli's happiness as he sings to his son. And I just love the quieter moments in it- the first refrain where they just glided while looking at each other made my heart ache. It really represents that their partnership worked not just at the big championships and medals, but also the quiet moments where they simply showed kindness to the other because they care- and that's sometimes all they need to find belief in their own selves and rise up. They're not perfect people- it's really hard to be perfect when you care very much, because emotions get messy.
The overall collaboration is again, very simple. But it really makes it more... representative to their actual partnership, I guess? They didn't make a show of how close their relationship are or something super staged like doing a lift or skating in hold or something lol. It really just them skating together, appreciating each other and what they both achieved together, and well... Stephane really made it clear that he'll continue to root for Shoma in the future whatever he chooses to do. And then the end... Shoma moves on to his own future, Stephane spins with his own future. They really do have different worlds, but they learned a lot by meeting each other. I think it was a great way to close this really wonderful chapter that has brought so much belief, happiness and achievements for both of them.
Also on the very last show they hugged briefly in the dark before getting into their starting position... and there was an encore for all group numbers and they kinda did improvise with the choreo that they had and it was really beautiful too. Shoma was solemn throughout the actual program but he was grinning in amusement during the encore (and he also trolled Stephane by letting him go early during the spiral making Stephane had to wobble to find balance wkwkwkwkkwkw).
Ah also!! I am so happy to see the White Moonlight costume back, it's one of my favorite Shoma costume. Under the lights with Stephane's simple black shirt it looks and shines really beautifuly, like Stephane is "outlining" Shoma as his shadow.
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2018
Shoma's "The Spectre" is truly worlds apart of his competitive career, it was such a fascinating program to experience.
Okay, I will be honest, the first time I watched the program was on the Saturday afternoon show (the first show in the second day of FOI), and it was lowkey.............. a disaster. Shoma slipped during his take off for his first jump (he was attempting a 4T) and it was so shocking that I think it knocked the wind out of his sails and it was just.... bad. HE FELL AFTER THE SECOND SPIN ON MY CORNER. I was not able to appreciate the program at all because it was just a fragmented mess and he was clearly not focused after the slip. And this is a program that truly fell apart once something goes wrong so... I really thought this was too much for him to handle, maybe in a not so top physical shape post-retirement. I was worried!!! I genuinely had a crisis afterwards and had to calm myself down that this isn't the end of the world, this trip to Japan was not a waste, Shoma is human and can have bad days. But I also impulsively bought a secondhand camera after because I was just so devastated and didn't want this trip to be a waste. I was not able to watch the second show on Saturday but my friend said Shoma was even more unfocused and fell on both the collab and his solo that I probably would have been more stressed out after if I had watched.
And then... Sunday came. I had calmed myself down the day before, and I felt more emotionally ready. I still don't want him to have a bad skate though. The first show on Sunday was ok. He changed the 4T to 3A and landed it with some fight, and he only stumbled on his last 3Lo. Still pretty tight but no freak fall. The overall energy was better, and I was on the 3rd floor so I can see how the overall program went better. I can appreciate his physicality and the body work he did for this program- there was a section that I love so much, when he glided at the side and danced to the music while skating (not in the Instagram preview). I thought that if Shoma realizes he actually do have the talent to dance on ice and can harness that talent, he really would be unstoppable because I think that's the thing that's tripping him up in this program.
So, ok. Second time watching is a lot better than the first one. I feel a bit relieved, but I'm also still stressed. What will we get for the final show, that's broadcasted live on TV? I was praying that he wouldn't stumble or have a disaster. It's the first time The Spectre will be shown on TV... and if it's bad, not only will Shoma get criticism... Marin will also bear the brunt of the criticism. It's already tiring to read Japanese fans sneering at the program and pettily said only the collaboration gets more reaction from the audience, because The Spectre is just "posing" on ice masquerading as dancing and not real skating.
But then... the final show. Shoma was so sharp and powerful. He saved all the best for the last AND FOR TV, MOST IMPORTANTLY. Jumps were sharp. Spins were sharp. AND HIS MOVEMENTS.... Like it really was the sharpest I've seen him, the most focused. Sorry not sorry, but I think Shoma can do the collaboration program with Stephane in his sleep- that music is his daily meal, his skating can match it so easily (I thought Stephane worked a lot harder to match his skating to the song since he's the showier skater). But this program, this kind of music, Marin's choreo. It's hard and challenging and it really reminds me of the competitive Shoma, the Shoma who skated Aria/Tormenta with 5 quads under the show lights, the one who proves people wrong about what he can and he can't do. Just the sheer power- but in a very different way too than his previous programs. I can truly feel his freedom from the duties that he has always carried, the thoughts he has always have for others- he skates this program for himself and him only. It flies when saw live so I'm very happy we had the recording that captures all the details because it's insane. And really, finally, he won over the audience at the final day. They clapped for him so hard and applauded him so long that for the first time, when Mao came in after him, the applause was a lot quieter because everyone was still catching their breath. Like that was so incredible to experience.
I think... I still think that the transition period for Shoma between competitive and pro skater is going to have its challenges. Mostly because I think Shoma is just so done with everything relating to competitive skating that he's not approaching his pro career the way some other Japanese skaters do, with "ambition" to prove their artistry and worth as artistic skaters, like Mao with her multiple tours, Daisuke with his constant challenges, Yuzuru with his solo shows, Satoko doing new programs and constantly challenging herself, even like Keiji doing different programs. I think Shoma just... has little regret about his competitive career that he's not immediately out there trying to prove himself that he still "got it". He's done. He's distanced himself so far from the grind and bustle of a competitive career, and he may need some time to really find what he wants to achieve during his pro career, or maybe never. So I think, I will continue to have these moments of crisis when he has bad days or he does programs that don't immediately highlight his strength. But I also think it's a good decision for Shoma to approach it like this, so he doesn't get burnt out and have unhappy feelings from skating.
Okay, I will be honest, the first time I watched the program was on the Saturday afternoon show (the first show in the second day of FOI), and it was lowkey.............. a disaster. Shoma slipped during his take off for his first jump (he was attempting a 4T) and it was so shocking that I think it knocked the wind out of his sails and it was just.... bad. HE FELL AFTER THE SECOND SPIN ON MY CORNER. I was not able to appreciate the program at all because it was just a fragmented mess and he was clearly not focused after the slip. And this is a program that truly fell apart once something goes wrong so... I really thought this was too much for him to handle, maybe in a not so top physical shape post-retirement. I was worried!!! I genuinely had a crisis afterwards and had to calm myself down that this isn't the end of the world, this trip to Japan was not a waste, Shoma is human and can have bad days. But I also impulsively bought a secondhand camera after because I was just so devastated and didn't want this trip to be a waste. I was not able to watch the second show on Saturday but my friend said Shoma was even more unfocused and fell on both the collab and his solo that I probably would have been more stressed out after if I had watched.
And then... Sunday came. I had calmed myself down the day before, and I felt more emotionally ready. I still don't want him to have a bad skate though. The first show on Sunday was ok. He changed the 4T to 3A and landed it with some fight, and he only stumbled on his last 3Lo. Still pretty tight but no freak fall. The overall energy was better, and I was on the 3rd floor so I can see how the overall program went better. I can appreciate his physicality and the body work he did for this program- there was a section that I love so much, when he glided at the side and danced to the music while skating (not in the Instagram preview). I thought that if Shoma realizes he actually do have the talent to dance on ice and can harness that talent, he really would be unstoppable because I think that's the thing that's tripping him up in this program.
So, ok. Second time watching is a lot better than the first one. I feel a bit relieved, but I'm also still stressed. What will we get for the final show, that's broadcasted live on TV? I was praying that he wouldn't stumble or have a disaster. It's the first time The Spectre will be shown on TV... and if it's bad, not only will Shoma get criticism... Marin will also bear the brunt of the criticism. It's already tiring to read Japanese fans sneering at the program and pettily said only the collaboration gets more reaction from the audience, because The Spectre is just "posing" on ice masquerading as dancing and not real skating.
But then... the final show. Shoma was so sharp and powerful. He saved all the best for the last AND FOR TV, MOST IMPORTANTLY. Jumps were sharp. Spins were sharp. AND HIS MOVEMENTS.... Like it really was the sharpest I've seen him, the most focused. Sorry not sorry, but I think Shoma can do the collaboration program with Stephane in his sleep- that music is his daily meal, his skating can match it so easily (I thought Stephane worked a lot harder to match his skating to the song since he's the showier skater). But this program, this kind of music, Marin's choreo. It's hard and challenging and it really reminds me of the competitive Shoma, the Shoma who skated Aria/Tormenta with 5 quads under the show lights, the one who proves people wrong about what he can and he can't do. Just the sheer power- but in a very different way too than his previous programs. I can truly feel his freedom from the duties that he has always carried, the thoughts he has always have for others- he skates this program for himself and him only. It flies when saw live so I'm very happy we had the recording that captures all the details because it's insane. And really, finally, he won over the audience at the final day. They clapped for him so hard and applauded him so long that for the first time, when Mao came in after him, the applause was a lot quieter because everyone was still catching their breath. Like that was so incredible to experience.
I think... I still think that the transition period for Shoma between competitive and pro skater is going to have its challenges. Mostly because I think Shoma is just so done with everything relating to competitive skating that he's not approaching his pro career the way some other Japanese skaters do, with "ambition" to prove their artistry and worth as artistic skaters, like Mao with her multiple tours, Daisuke with his constant challenges, Yuzuru with his solo shows, Satoko doing new programs and constantly challenging herself, even like Keiji doing different programs. I think Shoma just... has little regret about his competitive career that he's not immediately out there trying to prove himself that he still "got it". He's done. He's distanced himself so far from the grind and bustle of a competitive career, and he may need some time to really find what he wants to achieve during his pro career, or maybe never. So I think, I will continue to have these moments of crisis when he has bad days or he does programs that don't immediately highlight his strength. But I also think it's a good decision for Shoma to approach it like this, so he doesn't get burnt out and have unhappy feelings from skating.
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2021
Wonderful news is being reported!!!!!
"The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) will set up a venue for awarding the medal to Shoma Uno (26), a member of the figure skating team that won a silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, who was unable to attend the medal ceremony held in Paris this summer. According to a source in Tokyo, they are considering setting the 10th as the date, and are making arrangements for him to attend."
宇野昌磨さんへの北京五輪団体メダル授与、10日軸に調整 JOC | 毎日新聞
2022年北京冬季オリンピックで銀メダルとなったフィギュアスケート団体で、今夏にパリであったメダル授与式に参加できなかった男子の宇野昌磨さん（26）に対し、日本オリンピック委員会（JOC）がメダル授与の場を設けることになった。関係者によると東京都内で10日を軸に検討しており、本人も出席する方向で調
If I hadn't just started a new job, I would have loved to be in Tokyo to see this.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2014
@rabidline Welcome back, and thx for your detailed report on the beautiful duet. I have been trying so hard to not overanalyze it but rather to let it stand on its own in its simplicity. It's hard though because it's so amazing and so beautiful! When I saw the two of them so delicately doing their forward and backwards cross rolls, I was dying. Then to see them both get so intense when the music's intensity increased -- well, it was just SO cool. I loved the way it ended with Sho just sort of drifting off in the mini arabesque. Simplicity and calm.
You picked the right show to attend, that's for sure! That cast was totally amazing and truly was skating royalty. I was really hoping the typhoon wouldn't interfere with your plans!
Adding -- I forgot to ask how many shows / days you attended.
You picked the right show to attend, that's for sure! That cast was totally amazing and truly was skating royalty. I was really hoping the typhoon wouldn't interfere with your plans!
Adding -- I forgot to ask how many shows / days you attended.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2018
Well, I try to report in detail about not just the duet... but ok. The typhoon wasn't that much of a problem since I fly in to and out from Haneda Airport, which is just around 25-30 minutes by train to Yokohama, which is 10-15 minutes from the rink. So beyond some days where it rained really hard, it wasn't that much of a problem for me, but I know some fans struggled since the Shinkansen were stopped for hours during the heavy rain.
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2018
Wonderful news is being reported!!!!!
"The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) will set up a venue for awarding the medal to Shoma Uno (26), a member of the figure skating team that won a silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, who was unable to attend the medal ceremony held in Paris this summer. According to a source in Tokyo, they are considering setting the 10th as the date, and are making arrangements for him to attend."
宇野昌磨さんへの北京五輪団体メダル授与、10日軸に調整 JOC | 毎日新聞
2022年北京冬季オリンピックで銀メダルとなったフィギュアスケート団体で、今夏にパリであったメダル授与式に参加できなかった男子の宇野昌磨さん（26）に対し、日本オリンピック委員会（JOC）がメダル授与の場を設けることになった。関係者によると東京都内で10日を軸に検討しており、本人も出席する方向で調
Following up this announcement, JOC has also announced that media companies are allowed to cover the medal awarding ceremony to Shoma, and there will be a press conference after (as the Japanese team also had a press conference after the awarding ceremony in Paris).
The date is confirmed to be on September 10th in Tokyo. So right after OPOI <3
