The Shibutanis Thread Cinco...Mambo!

judgejudy27 said:
The Shibutanis skated so good in both programs of the Team Event! Certainly ready for their intense fight for the bronze medal with probably about 3 or 4 other teams (B&S, W&P, H&D, maybe even C&B).
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I'm not a fan of C&B but they will likely be in the hunt for that bronze medal. I think they won the free dance at U.S Nationals but 3rd overall. I guess that goes to show how close and competitive it is between the 3 U.S teams.
 
This is a beautiful thread that Alex wrote that covers a lot of things (being Asian, a sibling team, having cynics and doubters, not conforming to a certain mold...I believe that's all about their critics who think he and Maia should skate more like other ice dance teams...etc.):

https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/963254175353094151

The above tweet is so good that I wish more people here would read it because he's addressing a lot of the crap that they get. It's like all the people to talked mad crap about their skating style, how they skate, how they look, how they conduct themselves, this was Alex being real with them. They want honest, here it is.
 
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I think it is a positive message about breaking through barriers. Embracing the differences which make you unique. Finding yourself. Because that is the only way to really become the best. You have to be your best self.

Yes, he's saying they have faced all of these obstacles. Personally. But the message isn't for the negative voices. It's a message for the youngsters and the people looking up to them or connecting with them because of who the Shibs are as skaters and performers. It's a very universal message, and a path we all face in one way, shape, or form within our lives.

To me, this is part of the obstacle in the story of their FD. It's so much more than spending a few years losing ground in the rankings. It's all the doubt and questioning that comes with that. What dance team has ever moved down in the ranks without being told that they have maxed out on their potential and should split up or switch coaches or change in this way or that way. And, of course, change is a vital part of growth. But change by embracing who you are, finding your own strengths, improving your weaknesses. By being your best self.

Well said, Alex.
 
It's a positive message meant to inspire but for those of us following their career I think we can definitely imagine what he's talking about as it feels so personal like when he talks about having to "and will continue to push past stereotypes, labels, doubters, and cynics...[and not having to] look like anyone else. You don’t have to be, or skate like anyone else. You don’t have to fit the mold or follow the path that everyone else is on."

I don't think he's actually directing it to anybody in particular, but he knows a lot of people will read it including those he's talking about.
 
VIETgrlTerifa said:
This is a beautiful thread that Alex wrote that covers a lot of things (being Asian, a sibling team, having cynics and doubters, not conforming to a certain mold...I believe that's all about their critics who think he and Maia should skate more like other ice dance teams...etc.):

https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/963254175353094151

The above tweet is so good that I wish more people here would read it because he's addressing a lot of the crap that they get. It's like all the people to talked mad crap about their skating style, how they skate, how they look, how they conduct themselves, this was Alex being real with them. They want honest, here it is.
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omg, I got emotional reading it. I have been their fan for 10 years, and I really felt that they were simply being rejected because they did not offer what is expected of other couples and even their coach seemed not to know what to do with them. And it is impressive to see that not only have they overcome the limitation of being different, but they have taken advantage of that difference.
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Nice pictures https://www.instagram.com/p/BfHlQuWDCYd/?taken-by=smac.snaps
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfHL2X1nl8E/?taken-by=maceyjforonda
 
VIETgrlTerifa said:
It's a positive message meant to inspire but for those of us following their career I think we can definitely imagine what he's talking about as it feels so personal like when he talks about having to "and will continue to push past stereotypes, labels, doubters, and cynics...[and not having to] look like anyone else. You don’t have to be, or skate like anyone else. You don’t have to fit the mold or follow the path that everyone else is on."

I don't think he's actually directing it to anybody in particular, but he knows a lot of people will read it including those he's talking about.
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And this: ¨Sometimes the journey can be lonely, but fortunately, @MaiaShibutani and I have always had each other.¨ :wuzrobbed
 
VIETgrlTerifa said:
It's a positive message meant to inspire but for those of us following their career I think we can definitely imagine what he's talking about as it feels so personal like when he talks about having to "and will continue to push past stereotypes, labels, doubters, and cynics...[and not having to] look like anyone else. You don’t have to be, or skate like anyone else. You don’t have to fit the mold or follow the path that everyone else is on."

I don't think he's actually directing it to anybody in particular, but he knows a lot of people will read it including those he's talking about.
Click to expand...
I can understand this too just from listening to posters here. There is an edge in some people's attitude toward the Shibs that goes beyond rational criticism. There's no need to like every team, I certainly don't, but I don't feel the need to issue harsh put-downs of the ones that don't do much for me. I think Maia and Alex have faced a lot of that in the skating world,more than we know, I'm sure.

On the other hand, they have had a charismatic relationship with audiences for as long as I've been watching them (2012). Nats audiences early on responded as if Maia and Alex were their own children and have followed their journey appreciatively. Clearly Marina has supported them even when she wasn't sure what to do with them. Those are both vital factors beyond their own relationship that have surely sustained them, even as they've worked to build their own following.

But I agree with Dobre too. So many skaters are overcomers. Most people face challenges in their lives. The Shibs' narrative of moving toward their dream despite failures and obstacles is really universal and hopeful. But they don't gloss over the hard parts and that's part of their appeal.
 
Honestly, I think a lot of people were bothered they "deprived" others of opportunities and medals. It started when they beat longtime teams to get that bronze medal at their debut worlds. People though they were "cute" but that it wasn't "their time" and then when they came, did their thing and beat everyone but their teammates basically, the knives were out and stayed out.

They were out because they kept making world teams and winning national teams even amid their struggles. They kept medaling at their GPs. They made the Olympic team, beating many people's favorites.

I think there was a brief period where the knives were less sharp, but only because, honestly, people disliked Chock and Bates more and the Shibs looked to be the team to beat them in the 2015-2016 season, and they did. But once they did those fans "the favor" the knives were out again.

Many of these doubters couldn't believe that they earn things on their own merits -- No it was only on the backs of people's mistakes, the politics of USFS, etc. And that makes me ANGRY -- because I can see that they work SO HARD. People ask why do they spend so much time on their music? Why do they this or that? It's because, BOZO, it's people like you who keep insisting they couldn't possibility be successful because of they are. They practice on weekends, they travel all over trying to get wisdom from everyone just so they could do programs they can be proud of.

That's not to say they were perfect or always had it together -- it was clear they didn't always know where they were going, but what's important is they learned from each and every experience.

Anyway, I'm glad Alex tweeted what he did. The doubters will be there, even if they win the individual medal, but this time, the Shibs showed they don't give a damn and will do their own thing. Preach, Alex, preach.
 
VIETgrlTerifa said:
This is a beautiful thread that Alex wrote that covers a lot of things (being Asian, a sibling team, having cynics and doubters, not conforming to a certain mold...I believe that's all about their critics who think he and Maia should skate more like other ice dance teams...etc.):

https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/963254175353094151

The above tweet is so good that I wish more people here would read it because he's addressing a lot of the crap that they get. It's like all the people to talked mad crap about their skating style, how they skate, how they look, how they conduct themselves, this was Alex being real with them. They want honest, here it is.
Click to expand...

I love this. So open and well-articulated. He talked about their specific struggles in a way that people facing similar obstacles can immediately understand and relate to, and yet the message is still so universal that anyone reading it can be moved and inspired. I am so proud of the way he used their immense achievement of an Olympic medal as an opportunity to relate their experiences in an honest yet ultimately uplifting way to people who can benefit from hearing their perspective.
 
Rukia said:
https://www.facebook.com/usfiguresk...09118026341/10155402354176342/?type=3&theater

This is such a great picture! People can complain about the team event all they want, but it certainly seems to bring out something in the skaters. I love it.
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Love the reaction from the rest of the team after they finished their FD! All the joy and excitement captured in the photo is giving me life. I think there’s something extremely special about bringing this team sentimentality to figure skating. I think it really lifted Adam, Mirai, and the Shibs to incredibly performances yesterday.
 
Rukia said:
https://www.facebook.com/usfiguresk...09118026341/10155402354176342/?type=3&theater

This is such a great picture! People can complain about the team event all they want, but it certainly seems to bring out something in the skaters. I love it.
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I love this picture! I loved getting to see the skaters react to each other’s performances. Having that support really seemed to help so many of them. And nothing was better than Team USA and Team Canada’s reaction for Mirai’s 3A.
 
Seerek said:
:confused: Even before this weekend, she was on the NBC ads for literally months in the lead up to Pyeongchang.
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I don´t live in USA, I can´t watch NBC. In my country the 99% of people don`t even know that Olympics are happening right now :duh:. But I am learning about Chloe, she is cool and cute.

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https://streamable.com/apbzk -FULL MEDAL CEREMONY PART ONE
https://streamable.com/usq3n - FULL MEDAL CEREMONY PART TWO
 
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VIETgrlTerifa said:
NBC finally uploaded the Shibs' SD on YouTube. I hope the FD is to follow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-1mj01CJhA
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Great!!! :biggrinbo

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The first time that I watch articles about the Shibs in my country. Basically, it is about Alex´ thoughtful message on twitter, and it says that they are fighting for the gold medal :D

-https://www.vanguardia.com.mx/articulo/fueron-discriminados-en-su-juventud-y-ahora-obtienen-el-exito-en-pyeongchang-2018
http://retodiario.com/noticia/DEPOR...eacutexito-tras-ser-discriminados/130883.html
http://olimpicos.marcaclaro.com/vid...raron-el-exito-tras-ser-discriminados-904495/

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NBC Youtube version not geoblocked https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fQ2D8FDKm0
 
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ID is my favourite discipline but I didn't watch the team event live (because I'm in Europe :rolleyes:) and also I don't need to have my anxiety levels skyrocket due to things of which I genuinely have no control. But next week I'm gonna be an absolute wreck for the Shibs and VM, so it's very nice to have a safe place (for them both) to come. So thanks to you all tbh!! Seeing them with their medals omg I hope they leave PC with a pair each.

Also, someone let me know when it's time to freak out over the starting orders (only to later be calmed by VGT).
 
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