Shoma Uno: “I didn’t want the ice dance program to be seen merely as a collaboration, so being asked about it means a lot to us. I hope we can create something even more extraordinary together throughout this show.”
Shoma Uno’s “Ice Brave”: A New Chapter in Ice Dance and Artistic Expression
original source: sportiva.shueisha.co.jp dd June 17th by Komiya Yoshiyuki / sportiva.shueisha.co.jp dd June 15th by Komiya Yoshiyuki
On June 14, Shoma Uno’s debut self-produced ice show “Ice Brave” was held at the Ai-Chikyu Haku Memorial Park Ice Skating Rink in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture. Among the highlights of the show was an unexpected ice dance collaboration between Uno and Marin Honda. Uno and Honda, affectionately called “Shomarin” by fans, delivered a fully realized ice dance program despite it being their first attempt in the genre. Here’s a translation of an article posted on Web Sporttiva.
Inspiration from Daisuke Takahashi and Beyond
In an interview this past March, Uno spoke about his admiration for Daisuke Takahashi, one of his biggest inspirations: “I’ve always admired and respected Takahashi-san. I want to reach that level. But now, I also desire to become someone others look up to.”
Regarding his approach to “Ice Brave,” Uno shared: “As a performer, I know I still have a long way to go, which is why I poured all my energy into this project. Takahashi-san’s captivating performances – from ‘Hyoen’ to ‘Kasso-ya ’- have taught me so much. I want to verbalize what makes his skating so compelling, draw inspiration from that, and uncover my own form of expression.”
For Uno, ice dance felt like a natural extension of his artistic pursuit. Far from simply trying to emulate his role model, Uno sought to refine his individuality by delving into the possibilities that ice dance presents.
A Glimpse of Takahashi’s Path
Daisuke Takahashi, a trailblazer in transitioning from singles to ice dance, partnered with Kana Muramoto and secured major milestones in just three years, including winning the Japanese National Championships and placing 11th at the World Championships. His journey not only promoted ice dance’s popularity but also elevated figure skating’s profiles across disciplines. More importantly, it enriched Takahashi himself as a skater.
Recalling his own early days in ice dance, Takahashi shared in an interview: “Coming from singles, where you skate alone, the mindset of working as a pair is completely different. You have to align emotionally with your partner, not just physically. The first step is building that mutual understanding.”
In the second half, Uno and Honda performed “Wild Side,” an ice dance program that captivated the audience. Reflecting on transitioning from singles to ice dance, Uno remarked:
“I wanted to include an ice dance program and started preparing last October with new skates and blades. Attempting ice dance made me realize how different it is from singles. Only about 10–20% of the skills I’ve developed carried over – it was incredibly challenging. However, since this is my first time producing a show, I wanted to take on completely new challenges and ensure the program stood strong as a piece of its own, rather than just a collaboration.”
However, he did acknowledge a growing interest in ice dance:
“I didn’t want the ice dance program to be seen merely as a collaboration, so being asked about it means a lot to us. I hope we can create something even more extraordinary together throughout the duration of this show.”
Reflecting on the experience, Uno continued:
“While I know I have room to grow, I also feel we’ve worked incredibly hard and achieved so much. The audience’s applause felt like an acknowledgment of our efforts – it was genuinely rewarding. Unlike singles, where my focus was solely on my years of preparation and results, here the cheering and clapping brought me real joy. I skated with a deep sense of satisfaction.”
Marin Honda: The Ideal Partner
Having Marin Honda as a trusted partner gave Uno a significant advantage. Honda’s keen improvisational ability and her nearly six-month exploration of ice dance as a potential career path provided a strong foundation. Additionally, their shared respect for one another further solidified their bond.
In a previous interview, Honda praised Uno’s mindset and dedication: “Most skaters tend to panic if they can’t perform something during practice and desperately try to land it in competition, which creates even more anxiety. But Uno has a unique mindset – if he can’t do it in practice, he doesn’t get frustrated. I think it’s a philosophy he’s honed over years of competing on major stages around the world.”
This dynamic allowed Uno to take the lead naturally, with Honda complementing his strengths. Uno, in turn, highlighted Honda’s elegance and brought out her radiant charm, creating an ideal balance for ice dance – a sport that thrives on harmony between partners.
Though Uno is new to ice dance, Honda isn’t entirely inexperienced. In a March 2023 interview, she shared:
“I actually practiced ice dance from January to May 2021, using ice dance-specific skates. It was incredibly challenging. The skates themselves felt so different, with shorter edges that felt unstable. Over time, I found skating in them easier, but synchronizing movements down to the millimeter is uniquely difficult in ice dance.”
Honda had even considered transitioning to ice dance during her competitive career. Reflecting on her brief foray, she explained:
“I was drawn to the discipline and really got involved because people around me suggested it. However, since ice dance requires a partner and logistical coordination – including training locations – it’s a difficult path. At the time, I’d just started university, so going abroad wasn’t feasible. Still, I found ice dance’s depth and subtlety incredibly enjoyable.”
Expanding the Horizons of Skating
Uno’s journey into ice dance is not about abandoning singles skating; rather, it is an effort to transcend its limitations and explore deeper forms of expression. By connecting deeply with a partner, Uno found that the scope of figure skating could expand infinitely. In “Ice Brave,” he discovered the joy of skating with others, pushing beyond the traditional boundaries of singles skating and stepping firmly into a new realm of artistry.
With only a few months of preparation, Uno’s mastery of elements like twizzles during his first ice dance performance was astounding. His transformation into an ice dancer was nothing short of remarkable.
Shoma Uno’s foray into ice dance marks a pivotal moment not only for his own career but for the broader world of figure skating. No longer confined to the label of a “singles skater,” his determination to explore “the next level of expression” has opened new doors for his artistry and the potential of the sport itself.
Related topics: Marin Honda, Shoma Uno
I have always really enjoyed Shoma’s unique performance. One of his short programs still remains my best performance ever seen. Is there any chance they will perform in the United States at any time?