Maia Shibutani

Maia Shibutani

The Shibutanis in 2011.
Personal information
Full name	Maia Harumi Shibutani
Country represented	United States
Born	July 20, 1994 (1994-07-20) (age 17) New York, New York
Residence	Ann Arbor, Michigan
Height	1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
Partner	Alex Shibutani
Coach	Igor Shpilband Marina Zueva
Former coach	Patti Gottwein Rich Griffin Damon Allen Erik Schulz
Choreographer	Igor Shpilband Marina Zueva
Skating club	SC of New York
Current training locations	Canton, Michigan
Former training locations	Colorado Springs, Colorado
Began skating	1998
World standing	6 (As of 17 June 2011 (2011 -06-17)[update])[1]
Season's bests	4 (2010–2011)[2] 15 (2009–2010)[3] 19 (2008–2009)[4]
ISU personal best scores
Combined total	163.79 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Short dance:	66.88 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Free dance	96.91 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Medal record Figure skating Ice dancing Competitor for the  United States World Championships Bronze 2011 Moscow Ice dancing

Maia Harumi Shibutani (born July 20, 1994 in New York City) is an American ice dancer. She competes with her brother Alex Shibutani. They are the 2011 World bronze medalists, 2011 Four Continents silver medalists, 2009 World Junior silver medalists, 2011 U.S. national silver medalists, 2011 NHK Trophy champions and 2010 U.S. Junior national champions.

Personal life

Maia Shibutani was born to Chris and Naomi Shibutani, who met as Harvard musicians.^[5] She lived in Colorado Springs from 2005 through 2007. She moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2007.

Maia Shibutani was originally home-schooled.^[5] She graduated from Clague Middle School in 2008 and entered Huron High School in the fall of 2008.

Career

Early career

Maia Shibutani began skating at age four.^[6] She originally trained as a single skater and tested up to the juvenile level in singles. In March 2003, she and her family attended the World Championships in Washington D.C. Her brother said, "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."^[6]

Maia and Alex Shibutani teamed up to compete in ice dancing in the spring of 2004.^[6] 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. They competed at the 2005 North Atlantic Regional Championships, the qualifying competition for the U.S. Junior Championships, and won the competition.^[7] 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. They won the silver medal overall.^[8]

In the 2005–2006 season, they moved up to the Intermediate level. The Shibutanis won the Southwestern Regional Championships, their qualifying competition for the 2006 U.S Junior Championships.^[9] 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.^[10] They worked as guest bloggers and aides for the media staff for U.S. Figure Skating at the 2006 U.S. Championships,^[11] and again at the 2006 Four Continents, which were held in Colorado Springs.^[12]

In the 2006–2007 season, they moved up to the novice level, which is the first and lowest of three levels that compete at the U.S. Championships. At the 2007 Midwestern Sectional Championships, their qualifying competition for the national championships, the Shibutanis competed under the ISU Judging System for the first time. They 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.^[13] At Nationals, the Shibutanis placed second in both compulsory dances and then won the free dance to win the novice gold medal by a margin of victory of 2.06 points ahead of silver medalists Sara Bailey & Kyle Herring.^[14] This was their second consecutive national title.^[15]

Junior career

The Shibutanis perform a lift at the 2008–2009 Junior Grand Prix Final

In the 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.

In the 2008–2009 season, Maia became age-eligible for the international junior circuit. The Shibutanis made their junior international debut on the ISU Junior Grand Prix. At their first event, the 2008-2009 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.^[16] 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, placing 4.24 points behind champions Ekaterina Riazanova and Jonathan Guerreiro.^[17] These two medals qualified them for the 2008-2009 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, for which they were the third-ranked qualifiers.^[18] Qualifying for the event had also qualified them for the 2009 U.S. Championships.

The Junior Grand Prix Final was being 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, 4.79 points behind original dance leaders Madison Chock & Greg Zuerlein.^[19] The Shibutanis placed 3rd in the free dance.^[20] They placed 4th overall.^[21]

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,^[22] the original dance,^[23] and the free dance.^[24] They won the silver medal, placing 6.78 points behind Chock and Zuerlein.^[25] This was their fifth consecutive medal at a national-level competition. Following the competition, the Shibutanis were named to the team to the 2009 World Junior Championships.^[26]

At Junior Worlds, the Shibutanis placed 5th in the compulsory dance, 4th in the original dance, and 2nd in the free dance. They won the silver medal, placing 10.40 points behind Chock and Zuerlein.^[27]

In the 2009–2010 season, the Shibutanis won both their junior Grand Prix events and won the bronze medal at the Junior Grand Prix Final. They again skated at the junior level at US Nationals, which they won. At 2010 Junior Worlds, they finished off the podium in fourth place. This was their final junior event.

Senior career

The Shibutanis at the 2011 Worlds

2010–2011 season

In the 2010–2011 season, the Shibutanis moved to the senior level. They finished fifth at the 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy, moving up from eighth after the short dance with a strong free dance showing.^[28] They won the bronze medal at both the 2010 NHK Trophy and the 2010 Skate America, 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.^[29]

The Shibutanis finished second at U.S. Nationals and were chosen to compete at the Four Continents and World Championships. They won the silver medal at Four Continents. 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 Virtue and Moir, the current Olympic Champions had accomplished.

2011–2012 season

The Shibutanis started their 2011–2012 season with a silver medal at the 2011 Finlandia Trophy.

For the Grand Prix season, the Shibutanis were assigned to the 2011 Cup of China and 2011 NHK Trophy. They placed 2nd at the Cup of China. A week later they placed 1st at the NHK Trophy, edging Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje for gold by .09 points. It was the Shibutanis' first senior Grand Prix title. Their combined results qualified them for the Grand Prix Final. ^[30]

Coaching changes

Alex & Maia Shibutani with coaches Igor Shpilband and Marina Zueva in 2008.

Maia and Alex Shibutani originally competed as single skaters. Their singles coach, Kathy Bird, arranged for them to work with their first dancing coaches Andy Stroukoff and Susie Kelley.^[31] The Shibutanis also worked with Mary Marchiselli. During their juvenile season, their programs were choreographed by Josh Babb.

After moving up to the Intermediate level following the 2004–2005 season 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.^[31][5] During that time, they also worked with Rich Griffin, Damon Allen and Eric Schulz.

Following the 2007 U.S. Championships, the Shibutanis changed coaches to Igor Shpilband and Marina Zueva in Canton, Michigan.^[31] One factor in the decision to change coaches was the issue of university for Alex Shibutani, who at the time of the coaching change, had two years left of high school and was considering his university options.^[32]

Programs

Season	Short dance	Free dance	Exhibition
2011–2012	Batucada by DJ Dero, Skip to the Bip by Club des Belugas, Jazz Machine by Black Machine	Sun Valley Serenade by Glenn Miller Orchestra: In The Mood, Moonlight Serenade, Chattanooga Choo Choo
2010–2011	The Carousel Waltz by Richard Rodgers	Smile Charlie Chaplin soundtrack Let's Face the Music and Dance by Irving Berlin	The Prayer by Charlotte Church & Josh Groban La Vie En Rose by Louis Armstrong
	Original dance
2009–2010	Itsuka Mata by Tetsuro Naito Ao-ki Kaze by Ryutaro Kaneko	Tango Rhapsody by Luis Bacalov La Vie en Rose by Louis Guglielmi	La Vie En Rose by Louis Armstrong
2008–2009	Selections from Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Paul Englishby	Cinema Paradiso by Ennio Morricone	Japanese Kodo Music
2007–2008	Japanese Kodo Music	Piano music by Jean-Marie Senia
2006–2007		Memoirs of a Geisha by John Williams

Competitive highlights

The Shibutanis with the other medalists and their coaches at the 2011 World Championships

(with Shibutani)

Results

Event	2004-05	2005-06	2006–07	2007–08	2008–09	2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
World Championships							3rd
Four Continents Championships							2nd
World Junior Championships					2nd	4th
U.S. Championships			1st N.	4th J.	2nd J.	1st J.	2nd
U.S. Junior Championships	2nd Ju.	1st I.
Grand Prix Final								TBD
Cup of China								2nd
NHK Trophy							3rd	1st
Skate America							3rd
Nebelhorn Trophy							5th
Finlandia Trophy								2nd
Junior Grand Prix Final					4th	3rd
Junior Grand Prix, Croatia						1st
Junior Grand Prix, USA						1st
Junior Grand Prix, Spain					2nd
Junior Grand Prix, France					1st
North American Challenge Skate			2nd N.
Midwestern Sectionals			1st N.	3rd J.
Southwestern Regionals		1st I.
North Atlantic Regionals	1st Ju.

• Ju = Juvenile level; I = Intermediate level; N = Novice level; J = Junior level

References

1. ^ "ISU World Standings for Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance : Ice Dance". International Skating Union. June 17, 2011. http://www.isuresults.com/ws/ws/wsdance.htm. Retrieved June 17, 2011. 
2. ^ "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2010/2011 : Ice Dance". International Skating Union. April 30, 2011. http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/sb2010-11/sbtsdto.htm. Retrieved June 17, 2011. 
3. ^ "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2009/2010 : Ice Dance". International Skating Union. March 26, 2010. http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/sb2009-10/sbtsdto.htm. Retrieved June 17, 2011. 
4. ^ "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2008/2009 : Ice Dance". International Skating Union. April 18, 2009. http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/sb2008-09/sbtsdto.htm. Retrieved June 20, 2011. 
5. ^ ^{a b c} Borzilleri, Meri-Jo (October 18, 2011). "Shibutanis make ice dancing the family business". ESPN.com. http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/7116870/alex-maia-shibutani-make-ice-dancing-family-business. Retrieved October 18, 2011. 
6. ^ ^{a b c} Walker, Elvin (June 20, 2010). "Shibutanis make move to the big leagues". GoldenSkate.com. http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2009/062010.shtml. Retrieved March 28, 2011. 
7. ^ "2005 North Atlantic Regional Championships Juvenile Dance Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_related_details.asp?ri=content/events/200405/regionals-na/juvdance-final.htm. 
8. ^ "2005 U.S. Junior Championships Juvenile Dance Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_related_details.asp?ri=content/events/200405/usjrchamps/juvdance-final.htm. 
9. ^ "2006 SOUTHWESTERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Intermediate Dance Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_related_details.asp?ri=content/events/200506/regionals-sw/interdance-final.htm. 
10. ^ "2006 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships Intermediate Dance Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_related_details.asp?ri=content/events/200506/usjuniorchamps/interdance-final.htm. 
11. ^ "2006 United States Figure Skating Championships Blogs". U.S. Figure Skating. http://stlouis2006.usfigureskating.org/Journals/JournalAuthor2/Journal1.aspx. 
12. ^ "Belbin & Agosto Increase Lead at Four Continents". U.S. Figure Skating. http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=32799. 
13. ^ "2007 Midwestern Sectional Championships Novice Dance – Free Dance Final Results". U.S. Figure Skating. http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_related_details.asp?ri=content/events/200607/sectionals-m/novdance-free.htm. 
14. ^ "2007 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships Novice Dance Result". U.S. Figure Skating. http://spokane2007.usfigureskating.org/Results.aspx?lv=novice&ds=dance. 
15. ^ Backman, Daphne. "Shibutanis Claim Second Straight U.S. Title with Novice Win". U.S. Figure Skating. http://spokane2007.usfigureskating.org/News/RecapNews/012207ShibutanisClaimSecondStraightUSTitleWithNoviceWin.aspx. 
16. ^ "ISU JGP Courchevel – Junior Ice Dance Result". International Skating Union. http://www.isufs.org/results/jgpfra2008/CAT003RS.HTM. 
17. ^ "ISU JGP Madrid Cup – Junior Ice Dance Result". International Skating Union. http://www.isufs.org/results/jgpesp2008/CAT003RS.HTM. 
18. ^ "ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2008/2009 Junior Ice Dance". International Skating Union. http://www.isufs.org/events/jgp2008/jgpsdance.htm. 
19. ^ "SBS ISU Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix Final – Junior Ice Dance – Original Dance". International Skating Union. http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpf0809/SEG007.HTM. 
20. ^ "SBS ISU Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix Final – Junior Ice Dance – Free Dance". International Skating Union. http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpf0809/SEG008.HTM. 
21. ^ "SBS ISU Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix Final – Junior Ice Dance Result". International Skating Union. http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpf0809/CAT004RS.HTM. 
22. ^ "2009 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Junior Dance Compulsory Dance Final Result Details". U.S. Figure Skating. http://www.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/34540/SEG016.HTML. 
23. ^ "2009 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Junior Dance Original Dance Final Result Details". U.S. Figure Skating. http://www.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/34540/SEG017.HTML. 
24. ^ "2009 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Junior Dance Free Dance Final Result Details". U.S. Figure Skating. http://www.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/34540/SEG018.HTML. 
25. ^ "2009 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Junior Dance Final Results". U.S. Figure Skating. http://www.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/34540/CAT008.HTML. 
26. ^ "U.S. Figure Skating Announces World, Four Continents and World Junior Teams". U.S. Figure Skating. 2009-01-25. http://usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=42483. 
27. ^ "ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2009 – Junior Ice Dance Result". International Skating Union. http://www.isuresults.com/results/wjc2009/CAT004RS.HTM. 
28. ^ Brown, Mickey (September 25, 2010). "Russia leads the way at Nebelhorn Trophy". Icenetwork. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100925&content_id=15065688&vkey=ice_news. 
29. ^ Brannen, Sarah S.; Meekins, Drew (November 30, 2010). "The Inside Edge with Sarah and Drew – Nov. 30". Icenetwork. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101130&content_id=16229208&vkey=ice_news. 
30. ^ http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111112&content_id=25962704&vkey=ice_news
31. ^ ^{a b c} Mittan, J. Barry (2007-07-31). "Skyrocketing Shibutanis". Skate Today. Archived from the original on 17 January 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080117064232/http://www.skatetoday.com/articles07/073107.htm. 
32. ^ Mittan, J. Barry (2008-12-22). "Shibutani siblings thriving in Canton, Mich". Icenetwork. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081222&content_id=57965&vkey=ice_news. 

• 2007 U.S. Nationals ProfilePDF
• Ice-dance.com 2008 Nationals profilePDF

External links

• Shibutani & Shibutani at the International Skating Union
• Shibutani & Shibutani at the United States Figure Skating Association
• Photos of Maia Shibutani

Persondata
Name	Shibutani, Maia
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1994-07-20
Place of birth	New York, New York
Date of death
Place of death