At the age of 26, decorated figure skater Shoma Uno has announced his retirement from the sport. In a message shared on social media and reposted by Japan’s figure skating federation, Uno expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to skate for 21 years and have a successful competitive career. He stated that he will hold a press conference next Tuesday to provide further details about his decision.
Uno’s retirement comes after winning the world championship in 2022 and 2023, followed by a fourth-place finish in his last competition at the worlds in March. Throughout his career, he consistently placed in the top four at major events, including winning Olympic silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022, as well as securing an Olympic team event silver in 2022.
Starting his skating journey at the age of 5, Uno quickly rose through the ranks to become a top challenger to his countryman Yuzuru Hanyu in the late 2010s. Known for his mastery of difficult jumps, Uno became the first skater to land a quad flip in competition at the age of 18. He was coached by Stéphane Lambiel of Switzerland since 2019 and was considered one of the best skaters in the world following Hanyu’s retirement and Nathan Chen’s break from competition.
Despite his success, Uno admitted to feelings of uncertainty about his competitive future in his last season, stating that he lacked the strong desire to win that he once had. After finishing behind American skater Ilia Malinin at the world championships, Uno reflected on his age and the influence of his fellow competitors on his mindset toward competition. Following his retirement announcement, NBC Sports research contributed additional insights into Uno’s storied career.
Uno’s decision comes after much reflection and consideration about what is best for him as an athlete. He stated that he wants to focus on other pursuits outside of skating such as pursuing higher education or starting a family.
In conclusion, Shoma Uno’s retirement from figure skating is not only significant for him but also for Japan’s figure skating community. His accomplishments throughout his career have inspired many young athletes around the world who aspire to follow in their footsteps. With this announcement we are sure that he will continue to inspire others even beyond skating.