He was at ease, he was happy… in practice and during the performances. Happy to challenge himself, happy to go out there and share what he does best. Nothing was stopping him.
He was well prepared and he benefited from this peace that he has earned, probably, from having a hard time, then from finding himself, and trusting all those thoughts that we were describing: I have this great energy, I have these great thoughts, and finally it was kind of getting in one direction.
ー Stephane Lambiel on Shoma Uno (via interview with Florentina Tone of Inside Skating)
“I think right now, he needs to find a path of quiet and focus to be able to perform just like the way he performs in training…I think right now he’s quite confident and quite happy. During training, he was pretty quiet, so that’s very important to keep his mind quiet and focused (for the competition).
I don’t get too emotional with his competitions…we just go back to practice together, slowly, step by step. And I think my presence is important. More than my words.
➵ Is it difficult to communicate with Shoma in English?
No, not at all. We have a long relationship because we did many shows together, and our feeling is very similar. We have a sort of tip so I can explain to him a little bit, the movement with some images, and I can show him…I give him very specific words, like a direction with your right side, or I give him easy words.
➵ What advice do you give Shoma?
I give him everything, everything. Right now, it’s an interim situation but I will help him. After Nationals, we will decide for the future.
2022 Fantasy on Ice: Makuhari - May 27, 2022 Stéphane Lambiel → This Bitter Earth by Dinah Washington and Clyde Otis / On the Nature of Daylight by Max Richter
Uno Shoma gets a 202.85 points score for his free skate and a total score of 312.48, breaking the 200- and 300 point barriers, and becomes 2022 World Champion (x) (x)
