Shoma Uno’s Retirement: The End of an Era in Japanese Figure Skating

Shoma Uno, a renowned figure skater with an impressive resume of accolades, has announced his retirement at the age of 26. In a heartfelt message shared on social media and reposted by Japan’s figure skating federation, Uno expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunity to compete for 21 years and achieve success in the sport. He will be holding a press conference next Tuesday to provide more details about his decision.

Throughout his career, Uno consistently placed in the top four at major events. He won Olympic silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022, as well as securing an Olympic team event silver in 2022. Additionally, he was the first skater to land a quad flip in competition at the age of 18. Despite his accomplishments, Uno admitted to feeling uncertain about his future in competitive skating during his last season. After finishing behind American skater Ilia Malinin at the world championships, he reflected on his age and the impact of his fellow competitors on his mindset toward competition.

Uno began skating at just five years old and quickly rose through the ranks to become a top contender alongside countryman Yuzuru Hanyu in the late 2010s. Known for his mastery of difficult jumps, Uno 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 hiatus from competition.

NBC Sports research has contributed additional insights into Uno’s illustrious career. His retirement marks the end of an era for Japanese figure skating, as he leaves behind a legacy that will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.