An interesting interview of
Shoma Uno, Where he talks about ice dance:
Olympics.com: How do you feel after trying ice dance?
Uno: Compared to the world's top dancers, I still have a very long way to go, but I am very happy to hear the audience's reaction saying "That was really an ice dance." Of course, I think that the audience appreciated it because they think of me as a beginner, but from now on, I would like to make the audience think it is wonderful even if I am not a beginner. If we are going to do it anyway, I want people to think it was amazing, not just cute and playful. As a professional show organizer, I want to do my best to keep audience surprised.
Olympics.com: Still, when a top skater like you tries ice dance, we can't help but have high expectations. How about your intention to compete in ice dance?
Uno: There was a consensus between the two of us (with
Marin Honda) that we would do it seriously enough to get such questions. Actually, I was really happy to receive such a question right after the show. I think they got the message that we were not just playing around, but that we were serious about ice dance.
But we have seen the world's top ice dancers, so we truly understand how much beginner we are. In the future, I hope to have a situation where I can answer that question again after I make something that people around me would say, "It would be too bad if you don't compete."
Olympics.com: You need to achieve that level before making a decision to comeback (as an ice dancer)?
Uno: If people ask me if I can compete now, I am not at a level to compete at all. It is not about Marin, but there are times when I feel I'm not good enough, and there are many things I can't do because I'm a complete beginner. If I were to talk to the coaches “as an athlete,” they would laugh at me. I think I still have work to do before I can think about returning.