Latest news with #ShibSibs
Independent Singapore
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Maia and Alex Shibutani to make figure skating comeback in the 2026 Winter Olympics
INTERNATIONAL: Siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani are making a highly anticipated comeback to figure skating. The duo, known as the 'Shib Sibs,' recently announced that they will be competing in the next season, as they have their goal set on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The siblings have been missing in action for more than seven years since they last represented Team USA and won bronze in ice dance at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. The athletes, now 30 and 34 years old, are ready to step back onto the ice and claim victory once again. In a news release, Alex expressed: ' Our experiences and the new skills we've developed during our time away from competition have brought us different perspectives and created some exciting new possibilities… We don't take any of this for granted. We're really enjoying the process and look forward to performing and competing together again.' A social media post by the Olympics shared: 'Maia and Alex Shibutani are back! 👀⛸️😍 The two-time Olympic medallists have announced their return to ice dance competition ahead of @milanocortina2026 Winter Olympic Games, after seven years away.' Netizens commented on the post and said: 'We can't wait to see them return! ❤️', 'I love you guys! Congratulations on your return!', 'I'm so excited to see them on the ice again!', and 'I can't wait 😍😍😍. I missed them so much ❤️' Get to know the Shib Sibs The Shibutani siblings are one of the most successful ice dance teams in US history. They made their debut at the senior world championships in 2011, and since then, they have earned three world medals, two national titles, and two Olympic medals–one in ice dance and another in a team event at the 2018 Winter Games. In 2023, they were inducted into the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame, during their first year of eligibility. Many believe that their competitive careers had ended after the 2018 Winter Olympics. The siblings did not compete at the 2018 World Championships and planned to take a year off. Unfortunately, during their break, Maia faced a serious health problem and underwent surgery in 2019 to remove a cancerous tumour from one of her kidneys. As Maia recovered, both of them explored interests outside the ice. They were able to write four children's books and got involved in creative work like choreography and photography. Maia admitted in a statement: 'These past seven years have challenged and inspired us in ways we never expected…I'm so happy and grateful to be healthy and in a position to make the decision to return to the sport I love in this way.' As part of their preparation, the Shibutanis announced they'd be training with their longtime coaches, Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali, as they aim for a third Olympic appearance. Truly, their comeback brings more thrill and excitement to an already competitive US ice dance scene. At the recent World Championships in Boston, Madison Chock and Evan Bates won their third straight title. Moreover, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko finished fifth, and Caroline Green and Michael Parsons placed ninth. With only three spots available for US teams at the 2026 Olympics in Milan, the qualifications would definitely be thrilling and intense.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
US ice dancers Alex and Maia Shibutani come out of retirement with an eye on 2026 Olympics
FILE - Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of the United States perform during the ice dance, free dance figure skating final in the Gangneung Ice Arena at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File) The Shib Sibs are making a comeback with an eye on more Olympic figure skating medals. The popular brother-sister ice dance team of Alex and Maia Shibutani announced Thursday they will return to competition this season in the hopes of making the loaded American squad for the next year's Milan-Cortina Games. Advertisement The 34-year-old Alex and the 30-year-old Maia have skated together most of their lives, and for a long stretch were the dominant U.S. ice dancers. They are three-time world medalists and two-time Olympians, finishing ninth at the 2014 Sochi Games and third at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, where they also were part of the American squad that won a team bronze medal. The Shibutanis stepped away from competition after those Olympics, choosing to focus on school and other interests. They have authored four children's books and worked as choreographers and ambassadors for diversity and representation. They extended their hiatus when Maia Shibutani was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on her kidney in 2019. She underwent surgery to remove the mass, and additional treatment resulted in a long, painful recovery. 'These past seven years have challenged and inspired us in ways we never expected," Maia Shibutani said. 'I'm so happy and grateful to be healthy and in a position to make the decision to return to the sport I love in this way.' Advertisement The Shibutanis continued to skate in exhibitions over the years, and they remained close to the Olympic movement, albeit in a different way. Last summer, Alex Shibutani worked as a photographer and Maia Shibutani did media work at the Paris Olympics, where U.S. figure skaters were finally awarded their team gold medals from the 2022 Beijing Games. Now, the Shibutanis hope to be on the next American squad headed to the Olympics. They will be training with longtime coach Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali, who recently helped Alysa Liu return from her own brief retirement to win the first women's world title for a U.S. figure skater in nearly two decades. It won't be easy for the Shibutanis to make the team for the Milano-Cortina Games. Madison Chock and Evan Bates just won their third consecutive ice dance world title and will be prohibitive favorites to stand atop the Olympic podium, while Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko were fifth at worlds and Caroline Green and Michael Parsons were ninth. Advertisement The U.S. has qualified the maximum three ice dance teams for the Winter Games, which means someone will be left out. 'As Olympic medalists and U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famers, it's incredibly exciting to have Maia and Alex return to competition next season,' said Justin Dillon, the senior director of athlete high performance for U.S. Figure Skating. 'They are strong ambassadors for the sport, both on and off the ice. Their comeback adds to the excitement surrounding Team USA after a very successful year and makes the team stronger as we look toward the Olympic season.' ___ AP sports:
Associated Press
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
US ice dancers Alex and Maia Shibutani come out of retirement with an eye on 2026 Olympics
The Shib Sibs are making a comeback with an eye on more Olympic figure skating medals. The popular brother-sister ice dance team of Alex and Maia Shibutani announced Thursday they will return to competition this season in the hopes of making the loaded American squad for the next year's Milan-Cortina Games. The 34-year-old Alex and the 30-year-old Maia have skated together most of their lives, and for a long stretch were the dominant U.S. ice dancers. They are three-time world medalists and two-time Olympians, finishing ninth at the 2014 Sochi Games and third at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, where they also were part of the American squad that won a team bronze medal. The Shibutanis stepped away from competition after those Olympics, choosing to focus on school and other interests. They have authored four children's books and worked as choreographers and ambassadors for diversity and representation. They extended their hiatus when Maia Shibutani was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on her kidney in 2019. She underwent surgery to remove the mass, and additional treatment resulted in a long, painful recovery. 'These past seven years have challenged and inspired us in ways we never expected,' Maia Shibutani said. 'I'm so happy and grateful to be healthy and in a position to make the decision to return to the sport I love in this way.' The Shibutanis continued to skate in exhibitions over the years, and they remained close to the Olympic movement, albeit in a different way. Last summer, Alex Shibutani worked as a photographer and Maia Shibutani did media work at the Paris Olympics, where U.S. figure skaters were finally awarded their team gold medals from the 2022 Beijing Games. Now, the Shibutanis hope to be on the next American squad headed to the Olympics. They will be training with longtime coach Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali, who recently helped Alysa Liu return from her own brief retirement to win the first women's world title for a U.S. figure skater in nearly two decades. It won't be easy for the Shibutanis to make the team for the Milano-Cortina Games. Madison Chock and Evan Bates just won their third consecutive ice dance world title and will be prohibitive favorites to stand atop the Olympic podium, while Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko were fifth at worlds and Caroline Green and Michael Parsons were ninth. The U.S. has qualified the maximum three ice dance teams for the Winter Games, which means someone will be left out. 'As Olympic medalists and U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famers, it's incredibly exciting to have Maia and Alex return to competition next season,' said Justin Dillon, the senior director of athlete high performance for U.S. Figure Skating. 'They are strong ambassadors for the sport, both on and off the ice. Their comeback adds to the excitement surrounding Team USA after a very successful year and makes the team stronger as we look toward the Olympic season.' ___ AP sports:
Winnipeg Free Press
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
US ice dancers Alex and Maia Shibutani come out of retirement with an eye on 2026 Olympics
The Shib Sibs are making a comeback with an eye on more Olympic figure skating medals. The popular brother-sister ice dance team of Alex and Maia Shibutani announced Thursday they will return to competition this season in the hopes of making the loaded American squad for the next year's Milan-Cortina Games. The 34-year-old Alex and the 30-year-old Maia have skated together most of their lives, and for a long stretch were the dominant U.S. ice dancers. They are three-time world medalists and two-time Olympians, finishing ninth at the 2014 Sochi Games and third at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, where they also were part of the American squad that won a team bronze medal. The Shibutanis stepped away from competition after those Olympics, choosing to focus on school and other interests. They have authored four children's books and worked as choreographers and ambassadors for diversity and representation. They extended their hiatus when Maia Shibutani was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on her kidney in 2019. She underwent surgery to remove the mass, and additional treatment resulted in a long, painful recovery. 'These past seven years have challenged and inspired us in ways we never expected,' Maia Shibutani said. 'I'm so happy and grateful to be healthy and in a position to make the decision to return to the sport I love in this way.' The Shibutanis continued to skate in exhibitions over the years, and they remained close to the Olympic movement, albeit in a different way. Last summer, Alex Shibutani worked as a photographer and Maia Shibutani did media work at the Paris Olympics, where U.S. figure skaters were finally awarded their team gold medals from the 2022 Beijing Games. Now, the Shibutanis hope to be on the next American squad headed to the Olympics. They will be training with longtime coach Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali, who recently helped Alysa Liu return from her own brief retirement to win the first women's world title for a U.S. figure skater in nearly two decades. It won't be easy for the Shibutanis to make the team for the Milano-Cortina Games. Madison Chock and Evan Bates just won their third consecutive ice dance world title and will be prohibitive favorites to stand atop the Olympic podium, while Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko were fifth at worlds and Caroline Green and Michael Parsons were ninth. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. The U.S. has qualified the maximum three ice dance teams for the Winter Games, which means someone will be left out. 'As Olympic medalists and U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famers, it's incredibly exciting to have Maia and Alex return to competition next season,' said Justin Dillon, the senior director of athlete high performance for U.S. Figure Skating. 'They are strong ambassadors for the sport, both on and off the ice. Their comeback adds to the excitement surrounding Team USA after a very successful year and makes the team stronger as we look toward the Olympic season.' ___ AP sports:
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Shibutanis to return after seven years
American ice dance brother and sister Alex and Maia Shibutani are set to return to competitive figure skating, ending a seven-year hiatus during which Maia was diagnosed with took a break after winning bronze at the 2018 Winter Olympics, before Maia had surgery to remove a tumour from her pair, known as the Shib Sibs, have written four childrens' books in their time away from the sport, but return with an eye on the 2026 Games in Milan and Cortina."These past seven years have challenged and inspired us in ways we never expected," 30-year-old Maia said."I'm so happy and grateful to be healthy and in a position to make the decision to return to the sport I love in this way." Aged 20 and 16, the Shibutanis won bronze at the 2011 World Championships, making them the youngest ice dancers in almost 50 years to win a world also won silver in 2016 and bronze in 2017 and are two-time US won bronze medals in the ice dance and the team event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, making history as the first athletes of Asian descent - their parents are Japanese - and only non-white team to earn an Olympic ice dance medal."Our experiences and the new skills we've developed during our time away from competition have brought us different perspectives and created some exciting new possibilities," said 34-year-old Alex."We don't take any of this for granted. We're really enjoying the process and look forward to performing and competing together again."Justin Dillion, US figure skating's senior director of athlete high performance, said it was "incredibly exciting"."They are strong ambassadors for the sport, both on and off the ice," he said."Their comeback adds to the excitement surrounding Team USA after a very successful year and makes the team stronger as we look toward the Olympic season."
