Shoma Uno facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shoma Uno
宇野 昌磨
Uno at the 2018 Winter Olympics
Born	(1997-12-17) 17 December 1997 (age 27) Nagoya, Japan
Education	Chukyo University
Occupation	Figure skater
Height	1.58 m (5 ft 2 in)
Personal information Country represented  Japan Began skating 2002 Retired 2024

Shoma Uno (born 17 December 1997) is a Japanese figure skater who has now retired from competitive skating. He is a three-time Olympic medalist, winning silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022, plus a team silver in 2022. Shoma is also a two-time World champion (2022, 2023) and has won two World silver medals (2017, 2018).

He was the 2019 Four Continents champion and the 2022–23 Grand Prix Final champion. Shoma has won many medals in the Grand Prix series and is a six-time Japanese national champion. As a junior skater, he was the 2015 World Junior champion and the 2012 Youth Olympic silver medalist.

Shoma Uno was the first skater to successfully land a quadruple flip jump. He was also the second skater to land a quadruple loop jump in an international competition. In 2023, he became the first Japanese man to win back-to-back world titles since 1896. He also holds the record for the highest score by a junior in the short program.

Shoma Uno: A Figure Skating Star

Early Life and How He Started Skating

Shoma Uno was born on December 17, 1997, in Nagoya, Japan. His parents are Junko and Hiroko Uno. He has a younger brother named Itsuki. His grandfather, Fujio Uno, is a famous Japanese painter.

Shoma was born early and was very tiny, weighing only 900 grams. He could fit in his father's hand! As a child, he had asthma and often visited hospitals. To help him get stronger, his parents encouraged him to try different sports like soccer, tennis, and ballet. But Shoma was afraid of other players in soccer and would hide behind the goal.

He started skating at age five because of a famous skater named Mao Asada. She talked to him at a rink, and he loved skating so much that he begged his parents to let him go back. He joined skating classes in Nagoya and soon practiced for 5–6 hours every day. His skating hero is Daisuke Takahashi.

His Amazing Junior Career

First Steps on the Ice (2011–2012)

Shoma Uno started competing internationally in the 2011–2012 season. He won a bronze medal at the Junior Grand Prix (JGP) Tallinn Cup in Estonia. At the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics, he won a silver medal in the individual event and a gold medal with his team. He finished 10th at the 2012 World Junior Championships.

In the 2012–2013 season, he won a silver medal at a JGP event in Germany. He set new personal best scores there. He finished 7th at the 2013 World Junior Championships.

In the 2013–2014 season, he won a bronze medal at a JGP event in Latvia. He also won his first senior international competition at the 2014 Gardena Spring Trophy.

Becoming a Junior World Champion (2014–2015)

Shoma started his 2014–2015 season by winning the 2014 Asian Trophy. He then competed in JGP events in Japan and Croatia. He placed second in Japan and first in Croatia, setting new personal bests. This qualified him for his first JGP Final.

He won his first junior national title in Japan. The next month, he won gold at the JGP Final. He set junior world records for his free skate and overall score. At the 2014–15 Japan Championships, he won the silver medal.

Shoma made his senior international debut at the 2015 Four Continents. He placed fifth overall, setting personal best scores. He finished his junior career by winning the 2015 World Junior Championships. He won the short program with a junior world record score. He became the fifth Japanese man to win this junior world title.

Rising to Senior Level

First Quad Flip and Grand Prix Medals (2015–2016)

Shoma Uno started his senior career with a fifth-place finish at the 2015 U.S. Classic. He then won the 2015 Japan Open.

He made his senior Grand Prix debut and won a silver medal at the 2015 Skate America. He then won the 2015 Trophée Éric Bompard in France. This win qualified him for the 2015–16 Grand Prix Final in Barcelona, where he won the bronze medal.

After winning his second national silver medal in Japan, Shoma finished fourth at the 2016 Four Continents Championships. At the 2016 World Championships in Boston, he placed seventh overall. At the 2016 Team Challenge Cup, Shoma made history. He became the first skater ever to land a quadruple flip jump in an international competition!

Winning National and World Medals (2016–2017)

In December 2016, Shoma won his second consecutive bronze medal at the Grand Prix Final. Later that month, he won his first national title in Osaka, Japan.

In February, he scored over 100 points in the short program for the first time at the 2017 Four Continents Championships. He landed four quad jumps in his free skate, including his first quad loop jump in international competition. He won the bronze medal.

At the 2017 World Championships in Finland, he set new personal best scores. He earned the silver medal, just behind World Champion Yuzuru Hanyu. At the 2017 World Team Trophy in Tokyo, he helped Japan win a gold medal. He also had the highest score in the men's event.

Olympic Silver Medal (2017–2018)

Shoma started his 2017–2018 season by winning gold at the 2017 Lombardia Trophy. He then won gold at the 2017 Skate Canada. He won a silver medal at the 2017 Grand Prix Final.

He successfully defended his national title at the 2017 Japan Championships. Shoma represented Japan at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. He won the silver medal, his first Olympic medal!

At the 2018 World Championships in Italy, Shoma faced some pain from his skates. Despite this, he competed and won another silver medal. His performance helped Japan secure three spots for men at the next World Championships.

Four Continents Champion (2018–2019)

Shoma started this season by winning the 2018 Lombardia Trophy and the 2018 Japan Open with Team Japan. He won two Grand Prix events, the 2018 Skate Canada and the 2018 NHK Trophy. He then won a silver medal at the 2018–19 Grand Prix Final.

At the 2018 Japan Championships, Shoma won his third national title in a row, even though he had a sprained ankle. At the 2019 Four Continents Championships, he won his first major international gold medal! He also set a world record for the free skate score.

At the 2019 World Championships in Japan, he placed fourth. He ended the season at the 2019 World Team Trophy, where Team Japan won the silver medal. After this season, Shoma announced he would no longer be coached by Machiko Yamada and Mihoko Higuchi, who had coached him since he was five. He decided to train with Stéphane Lambiel in Switzerland.

New Coach and Challenges (2019–2020)

Shoma began the 2019–2020 season by winning gold at the 2019 Finlandia Trophy. However, he struggled at his first Grand Prix event, the 2019 Internationaux de France, placing eighth. He then placed fourth at the 2019 Rostelecom Cup.

Just before the 2019–20 Japan Championships, Shoma confirmed that Stéphane Lambiel would be his full-time coach. He won the free skate and the gold medal overall at the Japanese championships, his first win over Yuzuru Hanyu. He then won gold at the 2020 International Challenge Cup. The 2020 World Championships were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Through the Pandemic (2020–2021)

Many events were canceled due to the pandemic. At the 2020–21 Japan Championships, Shoma won the silver medal, behind Yuzuru Hanyu.

At the 2021 World Championships, he placed fourth overall. He then helped Team Japan win a bronze medal at the 2021 World Team Trophy.

Olympic and World Champion (2021–2022)

Shoma started his 2021–2022 season by winning silver at the 2021 Skate America. He then won gold at the 2021 NHK Trophy. These results qualified him for the Grand Prix Final, but it was canceled.

At the 2021–22 Japan Championships, he won the silver medal. He was then chosen for his second Japanese Olympic team. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, he helped the Japanese team win a silver medal, his second Olympic medal. A few days later, he won the bronze medal in the men's individual event, his third Olympic medal!

Shoma finished his season at the 2022 World Championships. With other top skaters absent, Shoma won the World title, becoming the third Japanese man to do so. He said he wanted to make his coach, Stéphane Lambiel, proud.

Grand Prix Final and Second World Title (2022–2023)

Shoma began his 2022–2023 season by helping Team Japan win gold at the Japan Open. He then won his third gold medal at the 2022 Skate Canada. At the 2022 NHK Trophy, he won his third title at that event.

He qualified for the 2022–23 Grand Prix Final in Italy. He won both parts of the competition, landing five quadruple jumps successfully. He won the Grand Prix Final title for the first time, completing his "Career Grand Slam" (winning all major international competitions).

Shoma won his fifth national title at the 2022–23 Japan Championships. Despite an ankle injury, he won his second consecutive gold medal at the 2023 World Championships in Japan. He was the first Japanese man to win back-to-back world titles since 1896. He later withdrew from the 2023 World Team Trophy due to his ankle injury.

Final Competitive Season (2023–2024)

Shoma started his 2023–2024 Grand Prix season with a silver medal at the 2023 Cup of China. He then won another silver medal at the 2023 NHK Trophy. At the 2023–24 Grand Prix Final, he won another silver medal.

He won his sixth national title at the 2023–24 Japan Championships. At the 2024 World Championships in Canada, he won the short program. However, he struggled in the free skate and finished fourth overall. Shoma announced his retirement from competitive skating on May 9, 2024.

Life After Competing

In 2023, Shoma Uno played the main role of Monkey D. Luffy in the ice show One Piece on Ice. He will also appear in Stéphane Lambiel's show The Sorcerer's Apprentice in Switzerland in August 2024. He will also reprise his role as Monkey D. Luffy in new One Piece shows in September 2024.

During the 2024 Paris Olympics, a medal ceremony was held for the 2022 Olympic Figure Skating Team Event. Shoma's team received their silver medals. Although he couldn't attend, he was happy for his teammates. His medal was later given to him.

Off the Ice

Sponsors and Books

Shoma Uno has worked with many companies, including car manufacturer Toyota, healthcare brand Colantotte, sports company Mizuno, and cosmetics company DHC.

In March 2018, Shoma released a photo book called Shoma Uno New Hero: Path to the Silver Medal. This book showed his journey at the 2018 Winter Olympics. He has also released two official calendars.

Personal Life and School

Shoma Uno went to Chukyo High School and Chukyo University in Nagoya. He said he was a quiet student in high school and enjoyed playing games on his smartphone with friends. In September 2022, Shoma confirmed he was in a relationship with retired Japanese figure skater Marin Honda.

Amazing Records and Awards

• First skater in history to successfully land a quadruple flip jump (2016). This is recognized by Guinness World Records.
• First Japanese figure skater to win three Olympic Medals (2022 Beijing Olympics).
• Set the junior record for the short program score with 84.87 points (2015 Junior Worlds).
• Set the junior record for the combined total score with 238.27 points (2014–15 Junior Grand Prix Final).
• Set the junior record for the free program score with 163.06 points (2014–15 Junior Grand Prix Final).
• Set the men's record for the short program score with 104.15 points (2018 CS Lombardia Trophy).
• Set the men's record for the combined total score with 276.20 points (2018 CS Lombardia Trophy).
• Set the men's record for the free program score with 197.36 points (2019 Four Continents Championships).

His Skating Programs

Competition and exhibition programs by season 

Season	Short program	Free skate program	Exhibition program
2010–11	N/A	Tzigane Composed by Maurice Ravel Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi, Machiko Yamada	Fly Me to the Moon
2011–12	Tucker Composed by Joe Jackson Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi, Machiko Yamada	Tzigane	N/A
2012–2013	Tanguera Composed by Mariano Mores Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi, Machiko Yamada	Steps Composed by Secret Garden Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi, Machiko Yamada	Bad Boy Good Man Composed by Tape Five
2013–2014	The Blessed Spirits Performed by Vanessa-Mae Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi, Machiko Yamada	Steps	Tanguera
2014–2015	Violin Sonata No.9 Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi	Don Juan DeMarco Composed by Michael Kamen Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi	The Blessed Spirits
2015–2016	Legends Composed by Sacred Spirit Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi	Medley Violin Fantasy on Puccini's Turandot Performed by Vanessa-Mae Nessun Dorma Performed by Paul Potts Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi	Violin Sonata No.9
			Don Juan DeMarco
2016–2017	Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra From Ladies in Lavender Composed by Joshua Bell Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi	Medley Buenos Aires Hora Cero Performed by Gidon Kremer Balada para un loco Composed by Astor Piazolla Performed by Milva Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi	"See You Again" Performed by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi
			La vie en rose Performed by Andrea Bocelli, Édith Piaf Choreo. by Stéphane Lambiel
			"This Town" Performed by Niall Horan, Jamie Scott Choreo. by David Wilson
2017–2018	"Winter" From The Four Seasons Composed by Antonio Vivaldi Performed by Michel Schwalbé, Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi, Stéphane Lambiel	Violin Fantasy on Puccini's Turandot, "Nessun Dorma"	"See You Again"
			"This Town"
2018–2019	"Stairway to Heaven" Composed by Led Zeppelin Performed by Rodrigo y Gabriela Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi	Moonlight Sonata Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi, Stéphane Lambiel	"Great Spirit" Performed by Armin van Buuren, Vini Vici, Hilight Tribe Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne
			Time After Time Performed by Harry Connick Jr. Choreo. by David Wilson
			"See You Again"
	"Winter"	N/A	N/A
2019–2020	"Great Spirit"	Medley Our Life (Finale) Performed by Brock Hewitt Dancing on My Own Composed by Robyn Performed by Calum Scott Your Last Kiss Composed by Karl Hugo Choreo. by David Wilson	Medley Oboe Concerto Composed by Alessandro Marcello Concerto in C minor for Cello, Strings and Basso continuo, RV 401 Composed by Antonio Vivaldi Performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra Choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto
			"See You Again"
			"This Town"
			"La vie en rose"
2020–2021	"Great Spirit"	"Our Life", "Dancing On My Own", "Your Last Kiss"	Oboe Concerto
			"See You Again"
			"This Town"
			"La vie en rose"
2021–2022	Oboe Concerto	Boléro Composed by Maurice Ravel Performed by Tomotaka Okamoto Choreo. by Stéphane Lambiel	"Earth Song" Performed by Michael Jackson Choreo. by Stéphane Lambiel
2022–2023	Gravity Performed by John Mayer Choreo. by Stéphane Lambiel	Medley: Air on the G String Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach Mea tormenta, properate Composed by Johann Adolph Hasse Choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto	Padam, Padam Composed by Édith Piaf Performed by Patricia Kaas Choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi
2023–2024	Medley I Love You Kung Fu Composed by Son Lux Clair de Lune Composed by Claude Debussy From Everything Everywhere All at Once Choreo. by Stéphane Lambiel	Medley: "Timelapse" Performed by Uno Helmersson, Mari Samuelsen, Jesper Soderqvist, Gunnar Flagstad, Trondheim Soloists Spiegel im Spiegel Composed by Arvo Pärt Performed by Vladimir Spivakov, Sergej Bezrodny Choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto	"Come Together" Composed by The Beatles Performed by Gary Clark Jr., Tom Holkenborg Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne

Career Highlights (Summary)

Honors and Awards

• Japan Skating Federation: "JOC Cup" (2019)
• Chunichi Shimbun: 33rd "Chunichi Sports Award" (2019)
• TV Asahi: "Big Sports Awards" Big Sports Special Award (2017, 2018)
• Aichi "Sports Awards" (2017, 2018)
• Nagoya "Sports Awards" (2018, 2023)
• Toyota, Aichi "Sports Awards" (2022)

Images for kids

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  Uno (left) with teammate Sōta Yamamoto at the 2015 World Junior Championships

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  Uno at the 2015–16 Grand Prix Final

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  Uno (left) and Yuzuru Hanyu at the 2017 World Championships

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  Uno at the 2018 Winter Olympics

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  Uno at the 2019 Four Continents Championships podium

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  Uno during his short program at the 2024 World Championships

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  Uno (left) at the 2017 World Championships podium

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  Uno (right) at the 2016–17 Grand Prix Final podium

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  Uno (right) at the 2015–16 Grand Prix Final podium

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  Uno (center) at the 2015 World Junior Championships podium

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  Uno (center) at the 2014–15 Junior Grand Prix Final podium

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  Uno at the 2016–17 Grand Prix Final

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  Uno at the 2015–16 Grand Prix Final

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  Uno at the 2014–15 Junior Grand Prix Final

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  Uno at the 2012 World Junior Championships

See also

In Spanish: Shoma Uno para niños