Shoma Uno announces retirement

[MINAM]

This is just in.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/a4f105443e514bf537ed9e1cb46aac38c19206b9 (in Japanese)

He'll be holding a press conference on 14th May.

ETA: Not surprising considering his interview at Worlds.

 

[jenny12]

I will miss his gorgeous skating and passion for performance so much. He kept beauty in skating. I hope he has the most wonderful life in his retirement.

 

[tony]

Surprising because he was still obviously in contention for the top spots even this season. I think Lambiel commenting so strongly about how it seemed like all the favor was going towards Kagiyama was interesting— maybe Shoma felt this way too or started to buy into it because of Stephane’s declaration.

 

[oleada]

Truly the end of an era. One of my forever favorites. Enjoy your retirement, Shoma!

 

[jlai]

He is not my favorite but I am glad he bounces back to have two world titles. Not much more he needs to prove.

 

[Cachoo]

I’m sorry to read this but I wish him well.

 

[YukiNieve]

Shoma's comments on his Instagram:

宇野昌磨ShomaUno on Instagram: ". 皆様、こんにちは 宇野昌磨です。 この度、現役選手を引退する決断を致しました。 今日まで競技者としての僕を応援してくださった皆様、支えてくださった皆様 本当にありがとうございました。 5歳の時にスケートと出会い、21年間続ける事ができ、素晴らしい競技生活を 送れたことにとても感謝しております。 5月14日に引退の記者会見を行い、僕の想いや、今後の活動については その場でお話しさせていただきます。 会見はトヨタイムズでLIVE配信

52K likes, 2,198 comments - shoma_un0 on May 8, 2024: ". 皆様、こんにちは 宇野昌磨です。 この度、現役選手を引退する決断を致しました。 今日まで競技者としての僕を応援してくださった皆様、支えてくださった皆様 本当にありがとうございました。 5歳の時にスケートと出会い、21年間続ける事ができ、素晴らしい競技生活を 送れたことにとても感謝しております。 5月14日に引退の記者会見を行い、僕の想いや、今後の活動については その場でお話しさせていただきます。...

www.instagram.com

Hello, everyone.
This is Shoma Uno.

I have made the decision to retire from competitive skating.

Thank you so much for everyone who has supported and cheered for me as a competitor up until today.

I met skating when I was five years old and I have been able to continue skating for the following 21 years. I am very grateful to have had a wonderful career.

On May 14, I will hold a press conference to announce my retirement and I will talk about my thoughts and future activities there.

The press conference will be streamed live on Toyotimes and I hope you will watch it.

Thank you for your continued support.

Shoma Uno

 

[coppertop1]

He will be missed. Always such a beautiful skater to watch. He's had quite a career

 

[On My Own]

Shoma's Loco!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1788408543684481499

 

[Colonel Green]

Always compelling to watch.

This doesn’t come as a surprise, but he can hardly have asked for much more from his career.

 

[peibeck]

Awwww, Shoma's artistry always enchanted me. He spoke about how difficult the sport has become on him physically in the past few seasons, even though that's when he peaked. I'm sure he should have a great professional career though. Audiences always love his skating.

 

[skateboy]

Can't say I'm surprised, but still a bit saddened.

Shoma always brought something special and interesting to the table.

 

[Panja]

I will miss him. I really enjoyed watching him skating his programmes. He has given us many, many years. I wish him well for the future.

 

[Lilia A]

Now it really feels the end of an era. He was my favorite since 2016/2017. There were so many highs and lows in his career. It's been difficult being a fan given how low his lows were. I thought he would never recover but I'm glad he did and went on to achieve many more victories. I'll miss him, and I'm sad but not too sad because I felt his heart wasn't in it anymore.

 

[4rkidz]

My first time seeing him live was in Barcelona at the Junior Grand Prix final and I recall posting at the time of my prediction for him to be the heir apparent for Hanyu. He will be missed.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Unless I missed something, I’m a bit surprised by this especially since we are just a year and a half out from the Olympics… unless it was an injury. I always feel like skaters such as Charlene and Marco and Piper and Paul when are this far into a cycle are going to go for the Olympics.

 

[Colonel Green]

Unless I missed something, I’m a bit surprised by this especially since we are just a year and a half out from the Olympics… unless it was an injury. I always feel like skaters such as Charlene and Marco and Piper and Paul when are this far into a cycle are going to go for the Olympics.

Unlike the ice dancers, Shoma is already an Olympic medalist, and with the emergence of Ilia, Yuma, Adam, etc., his prospects for an Olympic gold (the only meaningful upgrade that he could seek at this point) are dimming. 28 is also on the older side for a genuinely competitive singles skater.

 

[Frau Muller]

FAREWELL, SHOMA!

 

[Asli]

Shoma Uno is one of my all-time favorite skaters. A beautiful, musical, expressive skater. Unforgettable!

 

[Sylvia]

NHK World's English news report:

Japanese figure skater Uno Shoma retires from competition | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Japanese figure skater and Olympic medalist Uno Shoma has announced his retirement from competition.

www3.nhk.or.jp

Kyodo News:

Figure skating: Olympic medalist, 2-time world champ Shoma Uno retires

Two-time figure skating world champion Shoma Uno announces via social media that he will retire from competition.

english.kyodonews.net

Olympics.com article by Shintaro Kano: https://olympics.com/en/news/figure-skating-japan-uno-shoma-retirement

Three-time men's figure skating Olympic medalist Uno Shoma announced his retirement via Instagram on Thursday (9 May).
"I have decided to retire as a competitive skater," said the two-time world champion, who turns 27 in December. "I would like to truly thank all those who supported me as a competitor until today.
"I took up figure skating when I was five and managed to continue for 21 years. I am absolutely grateful for the fantastic career I managed to have."
Uno is scheduled to hold a press conference on Tuesday [May 14] to detail his decision and his future.

Associated Press:

Japan's Olympic medalist and world champion Shoma Uno says he's retiring from figure skating

Olympic medalist and two-time world champion Shoma Uno of Japan says he is retiring from figure skating.

apnews.com

AFP/Jiji:

Former two-time figure skating world champion Shoma Uno retires

Uno said his years on the ice had been 'wonderful.'

www.japantimes.co.jp

Yomiuri Shimbun:

Shoma Uno Announces His Retirement from Skating, Expresses Gratitude For ‘Wonderful’ Competitive Career

<p>Men’s figure skater Shoma Uno, 26, announced on his SNS Thursday that he will retire from active competition. He posted, “Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me.” He will hold a press conference next Tuesday.</p>

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/sports/japans-two-time-world-champion-uno-announces-retirement-2024-05-09/

 

[MacMadame]

This makes me sad. I really enjoyed his skating. I don't think I'll be going to Japan to see him in shows so unless he comes to North America, that's going to be it for me.

 

[Sylvia]

Shoma's own retirement post (embedded in his fan thread):

宇野昌磨ShomaUno on Instagram: ". 皆様、こんにちは 宇野昌磨です。 この度、現役選手を引退する決断を致しました。 今日まで競技者としての僕を応援してくださった皆様、支えてくださった皆様 本当にありがとうございました。 5歳の時にスケートと出会い、21年間続ける事ができ、素晴らしい競技生活を 送れたことにとても感謝しております。 5月14日に引退の記者会見を行い、僕の想いや、今後の活動については その場でお話しさせていただきます。 会見はトヨタイムズでLIVE配信

52K likes, 2,198 comments - shoma_un0 on May 8, 2024: ". 皆様、こんにちは 宇野昌磨です。 この度、現役選手を引退する決断を致しました。 今日まで競技者としての僕を応援してくださった皆様、支えてくださった皆様 本当にありがとうございました。 5歳の時にスケートと出会い、21年間続ける事ができ、素晴らしい競技生活を 送れたことにとても感謝しております。 5月14日に引退の記者会見を行い、僕の想いや、今後の活動については その場でお話しさせていただきます。...

www.instagram.com

Comments include:
Vincent Zhou: "You're a legend!! Congratulations on an amazing career"
Daisuke Murakami: It was an honor to be able to compete alongside with you!

JSF’s post:

日本スケート連盟 on Instagram: "宇野選手、21年間の競技生活たいへんお疲れ様でした。 平昌冬季オリンピックで銀メダルを、北京冬季オリンピックでは銅メダルを獲得し、世界選手権では2022、23年に2連覇、そして全日本選手権では6度の優勝と、その輝かしい戦績は多くのファンに夢と感動を与え、その華麗な演技で日本のフィギュアスケート人気を牽引してくれました。 スケート競技の振興やスケート文化の向上に多大な貢献を果たしてくださったことに心から感謝を申し上げますとともに、たゆまぬ努力に裏打ち

5,370 likes, 23 comments - skatingjapan on May 9, 2024: "宇野選手、21年間の競技生活たいへんお疲れ様でした。 平昌冬季オリンピックで銀メダルを、北京冬�...".

www.instagram.com

JGP Final men's champion Rio Nakata's tribute (with 2 cute photos of them):

rionakata on Instagram: "昌磨くん、現役引退お疲れ様でした。 小学生の頃から僕の憧れでした！昌磨くんの試合を観た次の日は昌磨くんのつもりで練習をしていました！ 昌磨くんの手の使い方を真似してみたり、クリムキンイーグルをやってみたり。昌磨くんは僕の憧れでした！ 僕はこれからも、昌磨くんみたいに果敢に攻めることを忘れないで、頑張りたいと思います！ また一緒に滑れることを楽しみにしています！"

1,253 likes, 13 comments - rionakata0908 on May 9, 2024: "昌磨くん、現役引退お疲れ様でした。 小学生の頃から僕の憧れでした！昌磨くんの試合を観た次の日�...".

www.instagram.com

 

[Rob]

I’m sad about this. His artistry is my favorite.

 

[Frau Muller]

You may know that the ballet world had, for a long time, a successful tour of male ballet stars named Kings of Dance. Maybe figure skating could present a Kings of Blades or Ice Kings? Shoma should be a leader of that.

Shoma
Yuma
Adam
Ilia
Donovan
Yun Wa
Lukas B.
Deniss’
Keegan…of course!

 

[Karen-W]

You may know that the ballet world had, for a long time, a successful tour of male ballet stars named Kings of Dance. Maybe figure skating could present a Kings of Blades or Ice Kings? Shoma should be a leader of that.

Shoma
Yuma
Adam
Ilia
Donovan
Yun Wa
Lukas B.
Deniss’
Keegan…of course!

Gosh... Someone probably needs to plan a trip to Japan to see "The Ice" when it's touring every summer.

With respect to Shoma - I'm not at all surprised at this announcement. It seemed like he was contemplating it during the GP when he lost to Adam at CoC and then Yuma at NHK. What is notable to me is the number of skaters who are paying tribute to him on their social media following the announcement. I get the sense that he is genuinely well-liked by most of his competitors - just a really friendly, hard-working guy that they not only respect as an athlete but love as a person.

 

[Sylvia]

What was your favorite program(s) of Shoma's? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoma_Uno#Programs

Re-posting from the "Underused classical music" thread:

Shoma's Marcello oboe concerto was also a really delightful surprise this year.

LOVED IT - found a fan cam of his SP from 2022 Worlds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_FF_fsn8fg
His ISU bio lists his music as Oboe Concerto by A. Marcello / Oboe Concerto (Concerto In C Minor For Cello) by A. Vivaldi.
Kenji Miyamoto originally choreographed this for Shoma as a show program - so glad he turned it into a SP!

 

[On My Own]

You may know that the ballet world had, for a long time, a successful tour of male ballet stars named Kings of Dance. Maybe figure skating could present a Kings of Blades or Ice Kings? Shoma should be a leader of that.

Shoma
Yuma
Adam
Ilia
Donovan
Yun Wa
Lukas B.
Deniss’
Keegan…of course!

Flop after the first show...

 

[On My Own]

What was your favorite program(s) of Shoma's?

Loco, Dancing On My Own, and EEAAO.

 

[kittyjake5]

Best of Luck to Shomajesty! I have been a fan since I discovered him in juniors, 13 years ago. Great skater, great sportsman and a dedicated hard working member of team Japan! I will truly miss him.

 

[YukiNieve]

Although we know this was coming soon especially after hearing what he implied this January, lots of Shoma fans and skating fans are already missing him. My X (Twitter) feed is filled with lots of past TV footage and memories shared with his fans and media.

Shoma was born prematurely (only weighing 32oz), and his parents tried various sports with him, and it was figure skating that Shoma chose to continue. It is a well-known story that Mao Asada encouraged him to continue skating when Shoma was 5.

I remember seeing him when his height was barely above the board.

Nagoya TV News (the local TV channel) has been following him since he was 9 and you can see some footage when Shoma was very young here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfrMewZEWv0

It is hard to believe now, but Shoma had quite challenges mastering jumps when he was very young (e.g. 8 years old in the video below - watch from 1:09 mark), and he often fell and cried. Young Shoma said "I am not good at jumps...jumps...jumps, (but) I am good at steps, steps."

https://twitter.com/IAmTheLuckiest7/status/1788510143635968275

One of the jumps he struggled most was 3A. It took nearly 5 years for him to master that jump.
I remember seeing the footage showing that he fell over and over and worried about he'd injure himself practicing jumps that way.

Daisuke and Yuzuru are shown in these clips:

https://twitter.com/megumi08142/status/1788588282990981292

https://twitter.com/soraneko_033/status/1788505957057871911

After becoming a senior skater, Shoma competed for All-Nippon (Japanese Nationals) and the Worlds every year - not missing any year - which is amazing. In other words, it was so natural to see him for these competitions and we will certaily feel the loss this year.

I still remember how fierce the battle for men's final group at the Japanese Nationals last year was and Shoma nailed it as the last one to skate (you need to set VPN for Japan for this clip).
https://sports.yahoo.co.jp/video/player/12052802

A fan compiled a compilation of short clips of some of his past popular programs. It makes me think how diverse the types of music/programs he skated to (the following post has the links of the clip for each program).

https://twitter.com/04ho23/status/1788575157776167365