Two-time world champion figure skater Shoma Uno announces retirement

Shoma Uno, a highly decorated figure skater with three Olympic medals and two world championship titles, has announced his retirement at the age of 26. In a statement posted on his social media and shared by Japan’s figure skating federation, Uno expressed gratitude for his 21-year career in competitive skating and revealed that he will be holding a press conference next week to provide further details about his decision.

Uno’s retirement comes after a fourth-place finish at the most recent world championships in March, following back-to-back world championship victories in 2022 and 2023. Throughout his career, Uno consistently placed in the top four in major competitions, securing Olympic silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022, as well as a team event silver in 2022.

Having started skating at the age of 5 and quickly progressing to master complex jumps such as the quadruple toe loop and quadruple flip, Uno emerged as a fierce competitor in the late 2010s, challenging his countryman Yuzuru Hanyu for top honors in the sport. With the 2022 Olympics marking a transitional period with Hanyu’s retirement and Nathan Chen stepping away from competition, Uno briefly held the title of the world’s top skater before deciding to retire.

Standing at 5-foot-2 and coached by former Olympic silver medalist Stéphane Lambiel of Switzerland since 2019, Uno reflected on his recent performances as a way to “close a chapter” in his skating journey. Despite his impressive track record and continued success on the ice, Uno admitted feeling a lack of strong motivation to win, prompting his decision to retire at this stage in his career.