“My strength is my different mindset compared to other athletes” Shona Uno on overcoming height challenges in ice dance
Shoma Uno and Marin Honda announced at a Tokyo press conference their challenge toward the 2030 Olympics in the French Alps, reflecting on their journey and determination to overcome obstacles in ice dance.
original source: Nikkansports 22nd May 2026 by Kotsube Kota
Shoma Uno (28) and Marin Honda (24), who made a surprise announcement about switching to ice dance, held a press conference in Tokyo on the 22nd, declaring their challenge for the 2030 Olympics in the French Alps. In an interview in April, Uno hinted at his return to ice dance and spoke about the possibilities of a new competitive life. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on Nikkansports.
A few years ago, Uno never imagined himself in this position. He reflected, “I never considered ice dance during my competitive singles career.”
The turning point came when the two performed together in the September 2024 ice show “One Piece on Ice.” Experiencing a highly entertaining stage that attracted many people beyond skating fans, Uno’s passion was ignited. “If we’re going to do this, I don’t want it to just be a simple ‘collaboration’ between two singles skaters. To surprise people, that’s important.”
After deciding to take on this challenge in October 2024, they began training under Misato Komatsubara. Despite their busy schedules – Uno producing ice shows and Honda launching a cosmetics brand – they continued to practice at rinks in Okayama and Chiba.
Of course, the path was not smooth. Uno is about six centimeters shorter than Honda, which is a significant handicap for lifts. Some in the skating community voiced concerns, saying it would be difficult. However, Uno said, “My strength is my different mindset compared to other athletes.”
Uno admitted, “Right now, there’s more pressure. During actual performances, you don’t know how you’ll feel or how much strength you’ll use, so it’s pretty nerve-wracking,” expressing his anxiety about this new challenge. Still, his determination is strong. “Facing each other, being able to do things together that we couldn’t do alone is deeply moving. I realize that I’m the one who needs to approach this with the greatest resolve.”
Related topics: Marin Honda, Shoma Uno
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