Alex Shibutani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alex Shibutani |
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The Shibutanis in 2011
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| Personal information | |
| Full name | Alex Hideo Shibutani |
| Country represented |  United States |
| Born | April 25, 1991 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Home town | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) |
| Began skating | 1998 |
| Retired | 2018 |
Alex Hideo Shibutani (born April 25, 1991) is an American former ice dancer. He skated with his younger sister, Maia Shibutani. Together, they are known as "The Shibutanis."
They won two bronze medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. They also earned three medals at the World Championships. These include a silver in 2016 and bronze medals in 2011 and 2017. The Shibutanis were also the champions of the 2016 Four Continents competition. They won two U.S. national titles in 2016 and 2017.
The Shibutanis competed in two Olympic Games. They were part of the U.S. team at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. They also competed at the 2018 Winter Olympics. In 2018, they made history. They became the first ice dancers of Asian descent to win an Olympic medal. They are also the second brother-sister team to win an Olympic medal in ice dancing.
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About Alex Shibutani
Alex Hideo Shibutani was born on April 25, 1991. His birthplace was Boston, Massachusetts. His parents, Chris and Naomi Shibutani, are of Japanese descent. They both met while studying music at Harvard University. Alex has a younger sister, Maia Shibutani, who was his skating partner.
Alex attended the Brunswick School in Greenwich, Connecticut, when he was younger. Later, his family moved to Colorado Springs in 2005. In 2007, they moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
While in Colorado Springs, Alex went to Cheyenne Mountain High School. He finished his sophomore year there. He then completed high school at Huron High School in Ann Arbor. In the fall of 2009, he started college at the University of Michigan.
Skating Career Highlights
Starting to Skate
Alex Shibutani began learning to skate when he was seven years old. At first, he trained as a single skater. He competed in singles up to a certain level. In March 2003, Alex and his family went to the World Championships in Washington D.C.
He shared that they sat very close to the ice. When the ice dancers began their warm-up, they could feel the wind as the skaters moved quickly. Alex and his family were very impressed. They loved the art, skill, and speed of the top teams. This experience made them decide to try ice dancing.
Major Achievements
Alex and Maia Shibutani achieved many great things in their ice dancing career. They won medals at some of the biggest competitions in the world.
- Olympic Medals: They won two bronze medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. One was for ice dancing, and the other was for the team event.
- World Championships: They earned a silver medal at the World Championships in 2016. They also won bronze medals in 2011 and 2017.
- Four Continents Champions: In 2016, they became champions at the Four Continents Championship.
- U.S. National Champions: They won the U.S. national title twice, in 2016 and 2017.
- Grand Prix Series: The Shibutanis won six titles in the Grand Prix series. This is a series of important international competitions.
- Junior World Medal: They also won a silver medal at the 2009 World Junior Championships.
Giving Back and Diplomacy
Alex and Maia Shibutani have used their fame to help others and represent the U.S.
- Sports Envoys: In 2017, the U.S. State Department named them Sports Envoys. This means they travel to other countries to share American values through sports. They visited South Korea and Japan in this role.
- Right To Play: Since 2013, they have been Athlete Ambassadors for Right To Play. This organization uses play and sports to educate and empower children.
- LA2028 Olympics: They helped bring the 2028 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles. They were part of the Athlete Advisory Commission for the bid.
- Other Causes: The Shibutanis have supported many other good causes. These include The Jimmy Fund, Charity: Water, One Fund Boston, and the NOH8 Campaign.
- White House Dinner: In 2024, President Joe Biden invited them to a special dinner. This dinner was for the Prime Minister of Japan.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Alex and Maia have received several awards for their amazing performances.
- Edi Award: They won the Edi Award twice. This award is from the Professional Skaters Association. It recognizes outstanding ice dance performances at U.S. Nationals.
- Team of the Month: The U.S. Olympic Committee named them "Team of the Month" several times. This was for their great results in international competitions.
- James E. Sullivan Award: They were finalists for the 2018 James E. Sullivan Award. This award honors the best amateur athlete in America across all sports.
Brand Partnerships
The Shibutanis have partnered with several well-known brands. These companies supported them as athletes.
- Tumi Inc. (travel bags)
- Ralph Lauren Corporation (clothing)
- Intel (technology)
- Coca-Cola Corporation's Minute Maid (juice)
- The Hershey Company's Ice Breakers (mints/gum)
- Smucker's Milk-Bone (dog treats)
See also
In Spanish: Alex Shibutani para niños
