Misplaced Pages

Maia Shibutani
The Shibutanis in 2018
Full name	Maia Harumi Shibutani
Born	(1994-07-20) July 20, 1994 (age 30) New York City, New York
Hometown	Ann Arbor, Michigan
Height	1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Figure skating career
Country	United States
Discipline	Ice dance
Began skating	1998
Retired	2018
Highest WS	2nd (2016–17)
Event Olympic Games 0 0 2 World Championships 0 1 2 Four Continents Championships 1 2 1 Grand Prix Final 0 0 2 U.S. Championships 2 4 2 World Junior Championships 0 1 0 Junior Grand Prix Final 0 0 1 Medal list Olympic Games 2018 Pyeongchang Ice dance 2018 Pyeongchang Team World Championships 2016 Boston Ice dance 2011 Moscow Ice dance 2017 Helsinki Ice dance Four Continents Championships 2016 Taipei Ice dance 2011 Taipei Ice dance 2017 Gangneung Ice dance 2015 Seoul Ice dance Grand Prix Final 2016–17 Marseille Ice dance 2017–18 Nagoya Ice dance U.S. Championships 2016 Saint Paul Ice dance 2017 Kansas City Ice dance 2011 Greensboro Ice dance 2012 San Jose Ice dance 2015 Greensboro Ice dance 2018 San Jose Ice dance 2013 Omaha Ice dance 2014 Boston Ice dance World Junior Championships 2009 Sofia Ice dance Junior Grand Prix Final 2009–10 Tokyo Ice dance

Maia Harumi Shibutani (born July 20, 1994) is a retired American ice dancer. Partnered with her brother Alex Shibutani, she is a two time 2018 Olympic bronze medalist, a three-time World medalist (silver in 2016, bronze in 2011 and 2017), the 2016 Four Continents champion, and a two-time U.S. national champion (2016, 2017). The siblings have won six titles on the Grand Prix series and stood on the podium at 14 consecutive U.S. Championships, at five levels including eight as seniors. They are two-time members of the US Olympic team, competing at the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics. In 2018, the siblings became the first ice dancers who are both of Asian descent to medal at the Olympics (winning bronze in both team figure skating and the individual ice dancing event). They are the second sibling duo to ever share an ice dancing Olympic medal, and the first from the United States. The Shibutani siblings are often referred to by their nickname the Shib Sibs.

Personal life

Maia Harumi Shibutani was born on July 20, 1994, in New York City. She is the daughter of Chris Shibutani and Naomi Uyemura, both of Japanese descent, who met as Harvard musicians. She has an older brother, Alex Shibutani, who competes with her as her partner in the discipline of Ice Dance. She started figure skating at the age of 4 in 1998 in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, where she was a student at Greenwich Academy in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Maia lived in Colorado Springs from 2005 through 2007 and was home-schooled. She moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2007 and graduated from Huron High School in Ann Arbor in 2012. She enrolled at the University of Michigan in the fall of 2012.

In 2019, Shibutani was diagnosed with a malignant mass on her kidney. She began immediate treatment.

Career

Early career

Maia Shibutani began skating at age four. She originally trained as a single skater and was taught by Slavka Kohout Button, a coach best known for guiding US ladies' champion Janet Lynn. A key source of inspiration for Maia and her brother Alex to pursue ice dancing came in March 2003 when their family attended the World Championships in Washington D.C. Alex Shibutani recalled, "We were seated close to the ice in the second row, and when the ice dancers came out for their warm up, we could actually feel a gust of wind as the skaters flew by. We were so impressed with the artistry, skating quality, and speed of the top teams that we decided to give it a try."

2004–2005 season

Maia and Alex Shibutani teamed up to compete in ice dance in the spring of 2004. Their singles coach, Kathy Bird, arranged for them to work with their first dance coaches Andy Stroukoff and Susie Kelley. The Shibutanis also worked with Mary Marchiselli. During their juvenile season, their programs were choreographed by Josh Babb.

During the 2004–2005 season, their first season of competition, they competed on the juvenile level, which is the lowest competitive level in the U.S. Figure Skating testing structure. During that season, Alex Shibutani represented the Hickory Hill Figure Skating Club in competition. They competed at the 2005 North Atlantic Regional Championships, the qualifying competition for the U.S. Junior Championships, and won the competition. The win qualified them for the 2005 U.S. Junior Championships. At that competition, they placed second in the first compulsory dance, fourth in the second compulsory dance, and third in the free dance, ending up with the silver medal.

2005–2006 season

After moving up to the intermediate level and performing well at the non-qualifying competitions, the Shibutanis went to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to work with choreographer Tom Dickson. During that off-season, they were being coached by Judy Blumberg on the east coast. After doing better than expected at the Lake Placid Ice Dance Competition in the summer of 2005, the Shibutanis decided to move coaching centers to a better training environment and so moved to train in Colorado Springs under head coach Patti Gottwein. During that time, they also worked with Rich Griffin, Damon Allen, and Eric Schulz.

Alex Shibutani changed his club representation to the Broadmoor Skating Club, where he and his sister trained. The Shibutanis won the Southwestern Regional Championships, their qualifying competition for the 2006 U.S. Junior Championships. At the 2006 U.S. Junior Championships, they placed second in the first compulsory dance and then won the second compulsory and free dances to win the title overall. They worked as guest bloggers and aides for the media staff for U.S. Figure Skating at the 2006 U.S. Championships, and again at the 2006 Four Continents, which were held in Colorado Springs.

2006–2007 season

The Shibutanis moved up to the novice level, which is the first of the three levels that compete at the U.S. Championships. Strong results at the Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships, including first place in the Novice Free Dance event, earned them their first opportunity to compete internationally under the ISU Judging System. At the North American Challenge event in Burnaby, British Columbia, they were the highest placing Americans in the novice event, pulling up from fifth place after the compulsory to second overall.

At the 2007 Midwestern Sectional Championships, their qualifying competition for the national championships, the Shibutanis placed second in the first compulsory dance and then won the second compulsory and the free dances to win the competition overall and qualify for the 2007 U.S. Championships. At US Nationals, the Shibutanis placed second in both compulsory dances, but with a win in the free dance were able to capture the novice gold medal by a margin of victory of 2.06 points ahead of silver medalists Sara Bailey & Kyle Herring. This was their second consecutive national title.

Following the 2007 U.S. Championships, the Shibutanis relocated once again, moving to Michigan to be coached by Marina Zueva and Igor Shpilband at the Arctic Edge Arena in Canton, Michigan. An important factor in the decision to relocate their training based included the opportunity to live and train in an area which could provide access to both world class ice dance coaching, as well as excellent educational opportunities. Alex Shibutani, at the time of the coaching change, had two years left of high school and was considering his university options.

2007–2008 season

The Shibutanis moved up to the junior level nationally. However, they were unable to compete internationally on the junior level because Maia was not yet old enough. At the 2008 Midwestern Sectionals, the Shibutanis placed fourth in the compulsory dance and then third in the original and free dances to win the bronze medal overall. This medal qualified them for the 2008 U.S. Championships. At Nationals, they placed 7th in the compulsory dance, 2nd in the original dance, and 4th in the free dance. They placed 4th overall, winning the pewter medal.

2008–2009 season: Silver at World Junior Championships

Maia Shibutani became age-eligible to compete on the international junior circuit. The siblings made their junior international debut on the ISU Junior Grand Prix (JGP). At their first event, the 2008–09 ISU Junior Grand Prix event in Courchevel, France, they placed second in the compulsory dance and then won the original and free dances to win the gold medal overall by a margin of victory of 11.00 points over silver medalists Kharis Ralph and Asher Hill. They were then assigned to their second event, the event in Madrid, Spain. At this event, they placed second in all three segments of the competition and won the silver medal. These two medals qualified them for the 2008–2009 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, for which they were the third-ranked qualifiers. Qualifying for the event had also qualified them for the 2009 U.S. Championships.

The Junior Grand Prix Final was held concurrently with the senior final for the first time and so did not have a compulsory dance segment. The Shibutanis placed 7th in the original dance and 3rd in the free dance, finishing in 4th place overall.

The Shibutanis went on to the 2009 U.S. Championships, where they competed on the junior level for the second consecutive year. At the event, the Shibutanis placed second in the compulsory dance, the original dance, and the free dance. They won the silver medal overall marking their fifth consecutive podium finish at a national-level competition. Following the competition, the Shibutanis were named to the team to the 2009 World Junior Championships.

At Junior Worlds, the Shibutanis placed 5th in the compulsory dance, 4th in the original dance, and 2nd in the free dance. At the ages of 14 and 17, they won the silver medal.

2009–2010 season

For the 2009–2010 season, the Shibutanis continued to compete at the junior level, as Maia at just 15, remained age-ineligible to compete on the senior level internationally. On the Junior Grand Prix series, the Shibutanis won gold medals at both their JGP events - in Lake Placid, New York, and in Zagreb, Croatia. At the JGP Final in Tokyo, Japan, they won the bronze medal. At the 2010 US Nationals, competing for their third and final time at the junior level, they won the Junior ice dance title. At the 2010 Junior Worlds, their final junior event after having competed for only two seasons on the international circuit, they finished just off the podium in fourth place. This was their final junior event.

2010–2011 season: World bronze medal

At the ages of 16 and 19, the Shibutanis advanced to the senior level and experienced a historic rookie season. At their senior international debut, they finished fifth at the 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy, moving up from eighth after the short dance with a strong free dance showing. They won the bronze medal at both the 2010 NHK Trophy (pulling up from 5th place after the short dance) and the 2010 Skate America (pulling up from fourth place after the short dance), making them the first dance team to medal at both Grand Prix events in its first senior season. They were the first alternates for the Grand Prix final.

The Shibutanis finished second at U.S. Nationals (behind Meryl Davis and Charlie White) and were chosen to compete at the Four Continents and World Championships. At their first ISU Championship event as senior competitors, the 2011 Four Continents championships, they once again finished just behind Davis and White, earning a silver medal. Maia and Alex Shibutani became the first figure skaters of Asian descent in the history of the sport to medal in ice dance at an ISU championship event. At the World Championships, they were in fourth after the short dance, 4.09 points behind third-placed Nathalie Péchalat / Fabian Bourzat. In the free dance, they scored 4.34 ahead of Pechalat and Bourzat, both of whom had fallen. The Shibutanis finished third overall by 0.25 points and won a bronze in their World Championships debut, a feat not even Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, the current Olympic Champions, had accomplished. Their bronze medal finish remains the highest world championship debut of any US ice dance team in history. At the ages of 16 and 20, they were also the youngest world medalists in the discipline of ice dance in over 50 years.

2011–2012 season

The Shibutanis started their season with a silver medal at the 2011 Finlandia Trophy. Beginning their Grand Prix season, they won silver at the 2011 Cup of China. A week later they placed first at the 2011 NHK Trophy, edging Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje for gold by 0.09 points. It was the Shibutanis' first senior Grand Prix title. Their combined results qualified them for the Grand Prix Final.

At the 2012 US National championships, the Shibutanis repeated as the silver medalists behind Davis and White. The Shibutanis finished 4th at the 2012 Four Continents, an event during which Alex competed in the free dance while extremely ill, and 8th at the 2012 World Championships.

During the off-season, they were invited by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to attend a dinner in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on May 1, 2012, in Washington, D.C.

Following Igor Shpilband's dismissal from the Arctic Edge Arena in June 2012, the Shibutanis decided to remain at the rink with Marina Zoueva and ended their collaboration with Shpilband.

2012–2013 season

The Shibutanis placed third in the short dance at the 2012 Rostelecom Cup. They paused their free dance for half a minute due to Alex pulling a muscle in his thigh. They were allowed to continue from the point of interruption and finished 4th overall behind Russian ice dancers Victoria Sinitsina and Ruslan Zhiganshin. They won the bronze medal at their next event, the 2012 NHK Trophy. The Shibutanis also took bronze at the 2013 U.S. Championships. They then competed at the 2013 Four Continents and finished 4th behind Madison Chock and Evan Bates. At the 2013 World Championships, the Shibutanis finished 8th.

2013–2014 season

The Shibutanis began their season with another injury which forced them to withdraw from the US Classic in September. They began their competitive season by winning bronze medals at 2013 Skate America and 2013 NHK Trophy. They then went on to win the bronze medal at the 2014 U.S. Championships and were named in the U.S. team to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. They placed 9th at the Olympics. The Shibutanis also competed at the 2014 World Championships, where they placed 6th.

2014–2015 season

The Shibutanis started their season by winning the gold medal at the 2014 Ondrej Nepela Trophy. Combined with their gold medal at the 2014 Ice Challenge they were the top finishers in the 2014-2015 ISU Challenge Cup series. They then won the silver medal at the 2014 Skate America. They then went on to compete at their second Grand Prix event, 2014 Cup of China, where they won the silver medal. Their results on the Grand Prix series qualified them for the 2014–15 Grand Prix Final, where they placed 4th.

At the 2015 U.S. Championships, the duo won the silver medal behind Madison Chock and Evan Bates. They then went on to compete at the 2015 Four Continents Championships and the 2015 World Championships where they placed 3rd and 5th, respectively.

2015–2016 season: Return to World podium

The Shibutanis began their season by winning the bronze medal at 2015 Ondrej Nepela Trophy. On the Grand Prix circuit, they earned standing ovations for Fix You, their Coldplay free dance. They won the silver medal at 2015 Skate Canada International and the gold medal at the 2015 NHK Trophy, for their second career Grand Prix event title.

They qualified for the 2015–16 Grand Prix Final as the fourth ranked team based on qualification criteria that had been modified in an attempt to account for the partially cancelled Trophee Bompard event. Their combined short dance and free dance score from NHK Trophy of 174.43 points was the highest total score amongst all competitors during the Grand Prix season. At the Grand Prix Final event, they placed 4th in the short dance. The night before the free dance, Alex became severely ill with food poisoning. They chose to compete nonetheless, and managed to get another standing ovation for their free dance. They finished 4th in the free dance and 4th overall. They withdrew from the exhibition so that Alex could recover.

At the 2016 U.S. Championships, the Shibutanis placed second behind Madison Chock and Evan Bates during the short dance, but moved up following the free dance to win their first senior US title. They earned standing ovations from the audience at both segments of the competition.

The Shibutanis next competed at the 2016 Four Continents Championships. They set personal bests and finished first in both segments of the competition for their first ISU Championship title. With this title, they became the first ice dancers of Asian descent to win an ISU ice dance championship event.

The Shibutanis ended their season at the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships. There, they set new personal bests and finished second in both segments of the competition for their second world medal.

2016–2017 season

The Shibutanis began the 2016–17 season with a gold medal at the Skate America Grand Prix in Chicago. They followed that with another victory at the Cup of China Grand Prix event held in Beijing, once again qualifying for the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. At the Grand Prix Final event in Marseille, France, the Shibutanis were ranked second after the short dance, placing behind Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir from Canada, and ahead of reigning World champions, Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron. A third-place finishing the free dance portion of the competition placed them third place overall - the bronze medal being their first medal at a Grand Prix Final.

At the 2017 U.S. Championships, the Shibutanis won their second national title; they edged out Chock/Bates by 1.01 points after placing first in the short dance and second in the free dance. The siblings took silver at the 2017 Four Continents in Gangneung (South Korea), having ranked second in both segments to Canada's Virtue/Moir.

At the 2017 World Championships in Helsinki (Finland), they ranked fifth in the short dance and fourth in the free dance, ending up third overall by a margin of 0.37 over Canada's Weaver/Poje. The siblings received their third world medal, bronze.

2017–2018 season: Two Olympic Bronze

The Shibutanis made their season debut at the 2017 Rostelecom Cup. They scored 77.30 in the short dance and 111.94 in the free dance to place first in both segments and won the gold medal, with 189.24 points. At their second GP event, 2017 Skate America, they again won both the short and free dance for a total of 194.25 and first place overall, qualifying for the Grand Prix Final in Nagoya. At the Grand Prix Final, they earned a second consecutive bronze medal.

At the 2018 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the Shibutanis placed first in the short dance and third in the free dance, placing them second overall behind Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue. They returned to the Winter Olympics in 2018, favorites for a medal in the ice dance event. They performed both the short and free dance in the team figure skating event, helping Team USA win the bronze medal. The Shibutanis later beat fellow Americans Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue for the bronze medal in ice dancing. Maia and Alex received a short dance score of 77.73, a free dance score of 114.86, and a total score of 192.59. They were the only Americans to medal in their individual event.

Programs

Post-2018

Pre-2018

Competitive highlights

Ice dance with Alex Shibutani

• GP – Event of the ISU Grand Prix Series
• JGP – Event of the ISU Junior Grand Prix Series
• CS – Event of the ISU Challenger Series
• WD – Withdrew from competition

Detailed results

• Small medals for the short program and free skating are only awarded at ISU Championships.
• At national events in the United States, pewter medals are awarded for fourth place.

Senior level

Results in the 2010–11 season 

Date	Event	SD		FD		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Sep 23–26, 2010	2010 Nebelhorn Trophy	8	46.90	2	86.10	5	133.00
Oct 22–24, 2010	2010 NHK Trophy	5	53.68	2	83.25	3	136.93
Nov 12–14, 2010	2010 Skate America	4	56.46	3	88.35	3	144.81
Jan 22–30, 2011	2011 U.S. Championships	2	70.47	2	102.71	2	173.18
Feb 15–20, 2011	2011 Four Continents Championships	4	62.04	2	93.34	2	155.38
Apr 24 – May 1, 2011	2011 World Championships	4	66.88	3	96.91	3	163.79

Results in the 2011–12 season 

Date	Event	SD		FD		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Oct 6–9, 2011	2011 Finlandia Trophy	2	58.45	2	92.63	2	151.08
Nov 3–6, 2011	2011 Cup of China	2	57.79	2	90.61	2	148.40
Nov 10–13, 2011	2011 NHK Trophy	3	59.02	1	92.83	1	151.85
Dec 8–11, 2011	2011–12 Grand Prix Final	5	65.53	5	95.02	5	160.55
Jan 22–29, 2012	2012 U.S. Championships	2	72.61	2	106.23	2	178.84
Feb 7–12, 2012	2012 Four Continents Championships	4	63.38	4	94.91	4	158.29
Mar 26 – Apr 1, 2012	2012 World Championships	7	62.35	11	82.37	8	144.72

Results in the 2012–13 season 

Date	Event	SD		FD		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Nov 8–11, 2012	2012 Rostelecom Cup	4	58.26	5	82.65	4	140.91
Nov 23–25, 2012	2012 NHK Trophy	2	60.84	3	93.72	3	154.56
Jan 19–27, 2013	2013 U.S. Championships	3	69.63	3	104.58	3	174.21
Feb 8–11, 2013	2013 Four Continents Championships	4	63.26	4	96.71	4	159.97
Mar 11–17, 2013	2013 World Championships	8	66.14	9	91.57	8	157.71

Results in the 2013–14 season 

Date	Event	SD		FD		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Oct 18–20, 2013	2013 Skate America	3	61.26	3	93.21	3	154.47
Nov 8–10, 2013	2013 NHK Trophy	3	63.09	3	94.49	3	157.58
Jan 5–12, 2014	2014 U.S. Championships	3	68.00	3	102.44	3	170.44
Feb 16–17, 2014	2014 Winter Olympics	9	64.47	10	90.70	9	155.17
Mar 24–30, 2014	2014 World Championships	6	63.55	6	95.02	6	158.57

Results in the 2014–15 season 

Date	Event	SD		FD		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Oct 1–5, 2014	2014 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy	1	62.72	1	100.26	1	162.98
Oct 24–26, 2014	2014 Skate America	2	64.14	2	96.19	2	160.33
Nov 7–9, 2014	2014 Cup of China	1	65.20	2	92.16	2	157.36
Nov 14–16, 2014	2014 CS Ice Challenge	1	65.38	1	100.96	1	166.34
Dec 11–14, 2014	2014–15 Grand Prix Final	3	63.90	6	95.04	4	158.94
Jan 18–25, 2015	2015 U.S. Championships	2	73.84	2	107.47	2	181.31
Feb 9–15, 2015	2015 Four Continents Championships	2	69.65	3	101.14	3	170.79
Mar 23–29, 2015	2015 World Championships	6	69.32	5	102.71	5	172.03

Results in the 2015–16 season 

Date	Event	SD		FD		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Oct 1–3, 2015	2015 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy	1	63.24	3	91.10	3	154.34
Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2015	2015 Skate Canada International	2	66.00	2	102.36	2	168.36
Nov 27–29, 2015	2015 NHK Trophy	1	68.08	1	106.35	1	174.43
Dec 10–13, 2015	2015–16 Grand Prix Final	4	69.11	4	105.81	4	174.92
Jan 15–24, 2016	2016 U.S. Championships	2	74.67	1	115.47	1	190.14
Feb 16–21, 2016	2016 Four Continents Championships	1	72.86	1	108.76	1	181.62
Mar 28 – Apr 3, 2016	2016 World Championships	2	74.70	2	113.73	2	188.43

Results in the 2016–17 season 

Date	Event	SD		FD		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Oct 21–23, 2016	2016 Skate America	1	73.04	1	112.71	1	185.75
Nov 18–20, 2016	2016 Cup of China	2	73.23	1	111.90	1	185.13
Dec 8–11, 2016	2016–17 Grand Prix Final	2	77.97	3	111.63	3	189.60
Jan 14–22, 2017	2017 U.S. Championships	1	82.42	2	117.63	1	200.05
Feb 15–19, 2017	2017 Four Continents Championships	2	76.59	2	115.26	2	191.85
Mar 29 – Apr 2, 2017	2017 World Championships	5	74.88	4	110.30	3	185.18

Results in the 2017–18 season 

Date	Event	SD		FD		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Oct 20–22, 2017	2017 Rostelecom Cup	1	77.30	1	111.94	1	189.24
Nov 24–26, 2017	2017 Skate America	1	79.18	1	115.07	1	194.25
Dec 7–10, 2017	2017–18 Grand Prix Final	3	78.09	6	109.91	3	188.00
Jan 5–7, 2018	2018 U.S. Championships	1	82.33	3	114.60	2	196.93
Feb 9–12, 2018	2018 Winter Olympics (Team event)	2	75.46	2	112.01	3	–
Feb 19–20, 2018	2018 Winter Olympics	4	77.73	3	114.86	3	192.59

Junior level

Results in the 2007–08 season 

Date	Event	CD		OD		FD		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Jan 20–27, 2008	2008 U.S. Championships	7	27.66	2	52.32	4	77.82	4	157.80

Results in the 2008–09 season 

Date	Event	CD		OD		FD		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Aug 27–31, 2008	2008 JGP France	2	28.49	1	50.46	1	78.89	1	157.84
Sep 24–28, 2008	2008 JGP Spain	2	31.04	2	53.22	2	79.30	2	163.56
Dec 10–14, 2008	2008–09 Junior Grand Prix Final	–	–	7	47.05	3	73.55	4	120.60
Jan 18–25, 2009	2009 U.S. Championships	2	31.98	2	52.70	2	76.35	2	161.03
Feb 22 – Mar 1, 2009	2009 World Junior Championships	5	29.71	4	52.10	2	80.34	2	162.15

Results in the 2009–10 season 

Date	Event	CD		OD		FD		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Sep 2–6, 2009	2009 JGP United States	1	34.09	1	56.35	1	85.51	1	175.95
Oct 7–11, 2009	2009 JGP Croatia	1	34.63	1	54.29	1	83.07	1	171.99
Dec 3–6, 2009	2009–10 Junior Grand Prix Final	–	–	2	55.21	3	83.54	3	138.75
Jan 15–23, 2010	2010 U.S. Championships	1	35.72	1	56.17	1	88.80	1	180.69
Mar 9–13, 2010	2010 World Junior Championships	2	34.27	4	52.67	4	81.41	4	168.35

Social media presence and television appearances

Maia and Alex Shibutani are amongst the most active Olympic athletes engaged across several social media platforms. Their YouTube channel @ShibSibs, established in 2012, includes 95 videos which have been viewed almost nine million times by over 157,000 subscribers, as of April 2018. Videos consist a range of formats including behind-the-scenes montages from their travels throughout the world for training, exhibition shows and competitions. Amongst the popular are lip synch music videos with casts which include popular Olympic figure skaters and gymnasts from all over the world, including Yuzuru Hanyu, Mao Asada, Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi, Brian Boitano, Javier Fernandez, Adam Rippon, Meryl Davis and Charlie White. Videos are created (including filming, editing) entirely by the Shibutanis.

Their respective Instagram and Twitter accounts (@maiashibutani, @alexshibutani) have been tagged as accounts to follow by various media accounts including global media publications such as the New York Times as "Olympian Instagram Accounts to follow".

The Shibutanis were guests on the Nickelodeon television show Nicky Ricky Dicky & Dawn, appearing as themselves during episode 304, broadcast in 2017. They have made several appearances on NBC's the TODAY Show, including to perform on the Rockefeller Center rink and to introduce Ralph Lauren designed outfits for the 2018 US Olympic team.

In September 2020, the Shibutanis appeared on The TODAY Show to discuss their new children's book, Kudo Kids.

Philanthropy and diplomacy

• In 2017, the Shibutanis were named Sports Envoys by the U.S. State Department's Sports Diplomacy Office, joining a select roster of figure skaters, including Michelle Kwan and Evan Lysacek, who have been named to this role in the past. As envoys, the siblings have traveled to South Korea (2017) and Japan (2018, 2019).
• Right To Play Athlete Ambassadors since 2013
• LA2028 Athlete Advisory Commission members. Active involvement in the successful bid which brings the 2028 Summer Olympics back to the U.S. The Shibutanis participated in the panel presentation at the US Olympic Media Summit, joining LA2028 Chairman Casey Wasserman and Athletes Relations Liaison Janet Evans.
• Other organizations and causes which the Shibutanis have lent through support through skating performances, fundraising and social media engagement support include: The Jimmy Fund, Charity: Water (where Maia raised over $10,000 as part of her 2017 birthday campaign), One Fund Boston, and NOH8 Campaign.

Awards and honors

• Maia Shibutani is a two-time recipient (2012, 2014) of a Travel & Training Grant from the Women's Sports Foundation
• The siblings are two-time winners of the Edi Award from the Professional Skaters Association for outstanding ice dance performance at US Nationals
• The Shibutanis are several time winners of the US Olympic Committee "Team of the Month" award (including in October 2017 and December 2017) for their competitive achievements while representing Team USA internationally.

Brand partnerships and sponsors

• Tumi Inc. - brand ambassadors
• Ralph Lauren Corporation - official sponsored athletes along with fellow Olympians Gus Kenworthy, Aja Evans, Jamie Anderson and Paralympian Rico Roman.
• Intel - Global Team Intel Athletes for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games
• Coca-Cola Corporation's Minute Maid brand
• The Hershey Company's Ice Breakers brand
• Smucker's Milk-Bone brand

References

1. "Maia SHIBUTANI / Alex SHIBUTANI: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 23, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
2. 1998 Olympic silver medalist ice dancer Anjelika Krylova is part-Asian; her grandmother is Uzbek (Central Asian Turkic).Сребницкая Д. (July 6, 2002). "Анжелика Крылова: Любовные страсти по-итальянски". Sovetsky Sport (in Russian). Archived from the original on September 15, 2009. У меня папа наполовину узбек, а бабушка чистокровная узбечка.
3. Rosen, Karen (February 19, 2018). "Maia And Alex Shibutani Win Olympic Bronze As First Skaters Of Asian Descent To Medal In Ice Dance". United States Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on February 20, 2018.
4. "Maia, Alex Shibutani make history of their own in PyeongChang". NBC Sports. February 19, 2018. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
5. Alex Shibutani Explains 'Shib Sibs' Nickname, retrieved 2019-12-18
6. "Maia SHIBUTANI / Alex SHIBUTANI: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
7. ^ Borzilleri, Meri-Jo (October 18, 2011). "Shibutanis make ice dancing the family business". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
8. ^ NBC Connecticut (February 15, 2014). "Shubutani Siblings Tweet What Life's Like as Olympians". WVIT. Retrieved December 31, 2014. The siblings got their figure skating start in Old Greenwich, Conn. in 1998, according to the Web site for the 2014 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Boston.
9. Leamy, Liz (February 18, 2014). "Shibutanis finish Sochi Olympic ice dancing in top 10". The Greenwich Post. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
10. McLaughlin, Kelly (March 10, 2014). "FrenchieSkate brings world-renowned figure skaters to Yost Ice Arena for community fundraiser". Mlive.com. Retrieved December 31, 2014. Many of the skaters are members of the Detroit Skating Club and some are students at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, including siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani, who graduated from Huron High School.
11. "US Olympic figure skater Maia Shibutani learns tumor removed was malignant". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
12. ^ Walker, Elvin (June 20, 2010). "Shibutanis make move to the big leagues". GoldenSkate.com. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
13. Walker, Elvin (June 20, 2010). "Shibutanis make move to the big leagues". GoldenSkate.com. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
14. ^ Mittan, Barry (July 31, 2007). "Skyrocketing Shibutanis". Skate Today.
15. "2005 North Atlantic Regional Championships Juvenile Dance Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
16. "2005 U.S. Junior Championships Juvenile Dance Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
17. Borzilleri, Meri-Jo (October 18, 2011). "Shibutanis make ice dancing the family business". ESPN. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
18. "2006 SOUTHWESTERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Intermediate Dance Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
19. "2006 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships Intermediate Dance Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
20. "2006 United States Figure Skating Championships Blogs". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on December 30, 2006. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
21. "Belbin & Agosto Increase Lead at Four Continents". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
22. "2007 Midwestern Sectional Championships Novice Dance – Free Dance Final Results". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
23. ^ "2007 U.S. Nationals Profile". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 30, 2011.
24. Backman, Daphne. "Shibutanis Claim Second Straight U.S. Title with Novice Win". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on August 11, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
25. Mittan, J. Barry (December 22, 2008). "Shibutani siblings thriving in Canton, Mich". IceNetwork.
26. "ISU JGP Courchevel – Junior Ice Dance Result". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
27. "ISU JGP Madrid Cup – Junior Ice Dance Result". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
28. "ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2008/2009 Junior Ice Dance". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 20, 2008.
29. "SBS ISU Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix Final – Junior Ice Dance – Original Dance". International Skating Union.
30. "SBS ISU Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix Final – Junior Ice Dance – Free Dance". International Skating Union.
31. Cite error: The named reference Alex and Maia Shibutani JGPF0809 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
32. "2009 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Junior Dance Compulsory Dance Final Result Details". U.S. Figure Skating.
33. "2009 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Junior Dance Original Dance Final Result Details". U.S. Figure Skating.
34. "2009 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Junior Dance Free Dance Final Result Details". U.S. Figure Skating.
35. Cite error: The named reference Alex and Maia Shibutani USN2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
36. "U.S. Figure Skating Announces World, Four Continents and World Junior Teams". U.S. Figure Skating. January 25, 2009. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011.
37. "ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2009 – Junior Ice Dance Result". International Skating Union.
38. Brown, Mickey (September 25, 2010). "Russia leads the way at Nebelhorn Trophy". IceNetwork. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
39. Brannen, Sarah S.; Meekins, Drew (November 30, 2010). "The Inside Edge with Sarah and Drew – Nov 30". IceNetwork.
40. "Shibutanis claim ice dancing gold at NHK Trophy". IceNetwork.com. November 12, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
41. Shibutani, Maia; Shibutani, Alex (May 8, 2012). "Shibs rub elbows with dignitaries at D.C. dinner". IceNetwork.com.
42. Barnas, Jo-Ann (June 4, 2012). "U.S. Figure Skating confirms top American teams to stay in Canton after Shpilband dismissal". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on June 7, 2012.
43. Whiteside, Kelly (February 3, 2013). "On a day to celebrate siblings, skaters work together". USA Today.
44. ^ "Alex SHIBUTANI". Sochi2014.com. Organizing Committee of the XXII Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games of 2014 in Sochi. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
45. Slater, Paula (October 26, 2014). "Shibutanis push new boundaries". Golden Skate.
46. Rutherford, Lynn (March 29, 2016). "Shibutanis seek to reap rewards of long journey". IceNetwork.
47. ^ "#GPFBarcelona Team USA Competition Central". U.S. Figure Skating. December 12, 2015. Archived from the original on June 12, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
48. Rutherford, Lynn (January 19, 2016). "Chock, Bates attempt to hold off surging Shibutanis". IceNetwork.
49. Shibutani, Alex (December 13, 2015). "We will not be skating in the exhibition today" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
50. ^ Rutherford, Lynn (February 16, 2016). "Shibutanis grow into role as top U.S. dance team". IceNetwork.
51. Slater, Paula (January 24, 2016). "Shibutanis capture US National title". Golden Skate.
52. Rutherford, Lynn (January 23, 2016). "Chock, Bates take slight lead over Shibutanis". IceNetwork.
53. ^ "Shibutani siblings lead at Four Continents Figure Skating Championships". Sportsbeat/Eurosport. February 18, 2016.
54. "Figure-skater Shibutani siblings win ice dance at Four Continents". AFP. February 19, 2016.
55. ^ Flade, Tatjana (19 February 2016). "USA's Shibutanis win first major international title". Golden Skate.
56. "ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2016: Ice Dance - Result". International Skating Union. March 31, 2016.
57. "ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2016: Ice Dance - Short Dance". International Skating Union. March 30, 2016.
58. "ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2016: Ice Dance - Free Dance". International Skating Union. March 31, 2016.
59. ^ "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
60. Slater, Paula (21 January 2017). "Shibutanis defend national title". Golden Skate.
61. "Maia Shibutani, Alex Shibutani take break from figure skating". OlympicTalk. 2018-04-12. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
62. Cloutier, Claire (May 6, 2019). "The Shibutanis' whirlwind post-Olympics year: "Our approach has just been to appreciate every moment and take it all in."". Figure Skaters Online.
63. "Music - Stars on Ice" (PDF). Stars on Ice. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
64. Vasilyeva, Nadia; Tone, Florentina (November 25, 2017). "Maia and Alex Shibutani: "We realized that we're unique and we embraced it"". insideskating.net/.
65. "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani: 2017/2018". International Skating Union.
66. Rutherford, Lynn (October 18, 2017). "Shibutanis hope "Paradise" paves the way to gold". IceNetwork.com.
67. Shibutani, Maia (October 18, 2017). "Maia Shibutani Reveals The Shibutanis' Programs For Olympic Season And The Creative Process Behind Them". teamusa.org. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017.
68. ^ "Music - Stars on Ice". Stars on Ice. April 2018. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
69. ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Rostelecom Cup 2017 Exhibition (Television production). Match! Arena. October 22, 2017.
70. "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
71. Shibutani, Maia (April 24, 2016). ""That's Life"" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
72. Maia Shibubani & Alex Shibutani 2016 Skate America Media Teleconference (Audio streaming). IceNetwork. October 15, 2016.
73. Rutherford, Lynn (October 22, 2016). "Sterling Shibutanis win first Skate America title". IceNetwork.com.
74. Rutherford, Lynn (March 27, 2017). "Shibutanis hopeful creative journey peaks at worlds". IceNetwork.com.
75. Shibutani, Maia; Shibutani, Alex (May 21, 2016). "The choreography is complete and we have a new exhibition program! We will be skating to "Do You Remember" by Jarryd James. Loved every minute of the time we spent on the ice with Stéphane this week" (Instagram). Archived from the original on 2021-12-23.
76. Shibutani, Maia; Shibutani, Alex (April 29, 2015). NYC AGAIN + MORE #OFFSEASONEATS (Vlog #23) (YouTube).
77. Shibutani, Maia (May 5, 2015). "Our Free Dance this season will be to "Fix You" by Coldplay" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
78. Rutherford, Lynn (October 28, 2015). "Shibutanis remain dedicated to exploring new styles". IceNetwork. Archived from the original on January 6, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
79. Hoang, Mai (December 8, 2015). "2015-16 ISU Grand Prix Final of Figure Skating: Ice Dance Preview". Golden Skate.
80. ^ "2016 Stars on Ice: E-motion Tour - Music". Stars on Ice. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
81. "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
82. "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 23, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
83. "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on March 12, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
84. "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on March 12, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
85. Rutherford, Lynn (September 4, 2012). "Memoirs of the Shibutanis: A matured 'Geisha'". IceNetwork.
86. "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 2, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
87. "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
88. "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
89. "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on September 6, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
90. ^ "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani". IceNetwork.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-20. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
    • "Earlier versions". Archived from the original on April 20, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
    • "Earlier versions". Archived from the original on April 17, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
91. "Maia Shibutani / Alex Shibutani: 2008/2009". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
92. "2008 Nationals profile" (PDF). Ice-dance.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
93. ^ "Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani". SkatingScores.com.
94. "ShibSibs". YouTube (YouTube).
95. Minsberg, Talya (January 31, 2018). "Winter Olympians to Follow on Instagram". The New York Times.
96. "These Olympians win Instagram gold". CBC Sports. February 15, 2018.
97. Team USA Olympic Opening Ceremony outfits revealed (Television production). NBC. January 22, 2018.
98. "Maia and Alex Shibutani discuss new book 'Kudo Kids'". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
99. "02/14/17 - U.S. Sports Envoys Maia and Alex Shibutani Visit the Republic of Korea". U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Republic of Korea. 2017-02-14. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
100. L.A. games press conference at Olympic Media Summit (YouTube). KSL News. Sep 26, 2017.
101. "Ralph Lauren - 2018 Olympic Dream Team".
102. "Team Intel Announcement" (PDF).

External links

• Official website
• Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani at the International Skating Union
• Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani at SkatingScores.com

• American female ice dancers
• 1994 births
• Figure skaters from New York City
• Sportspeople from Greenwich, Connecticut
• Living people
• American sportspeople of Japanese descent
• World Figure Skating Championships medalists
• Four Continents Figure Skating Championships medalists
• World Junior Figure Skating Championships medalists
• Figure skaters at the 2014 Winter Olympics
• Figure skaters at the 2018 Winter Olympics
• Medalists at the 2018 Winter Olympics
• Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in figure skating
• University of Michigan alumni
• Sportspeople from Ann Arbor, Michigan
• American dancers of Asian descent
• 21st-century American sportswomen