Shoma Uno Reveals His ‘Burnout’ in Canada and His ‘Concerned Future’ – “I Couldn’t Make the Decision to Quit
More than the result, it was his statement that sent shockwaves through the country: Immediately after finishing fourth at the World Figure Skating Championships held in Montreal, Canada, until March 24, and becoming the first Japanese male to miss out on three consecutive titles, Masama Uno (26, Toyota Motor Corp.) gave an interview in the mixed zone.
He was asked by a reporter about 19-year-old Ilia Malinin (USA), who came in third in the short program (SP) but scored an all-time high 227.79 points in the free skate to win the championship.
She was asked by a reporter about 19-year-old Ilia Malinin (USA), who scored 227.79 points in the free skate, the highest score in her career, and won the championship. I’m serious. I think they’re in trouble. I think he is going to build an era from now on. He is a wonderfully talented player, so I can’t think of anything else to say but “wow. I think it’s tough for everyone, but with someone like him, I think the sport will become a place where everyone can improve their technical skills and overcome difficulties, so I’m looking forward to it.
Uno answered as if he was talking about someone else.
A reporter, sensing some discomfort, immediately asked Uno, “Do you have any desire to compete there? Uno’s answer was very frank.
No, I can’t. I’ve already done my best. I have already done my best. I think I have practiced jumps more than anyone else. （Even after All-Japan (last December), I have jumped more than any other skater. Still, he has not done well in competitions, though it is partly luck, but there is no doubt that he is already skating on a different level from me. I was trying my best to fight against him, but it is an undeniable fact that my skating was not as good as what was natural for him. But I know how expressive you are, and how your jumps are so perfect. （I hope Yuma and Mullinin will work hard and compete with each other.
