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Two-time Olympic medalists Maia and Alex Shibutani have announced their return to competitive figure skating. They plan to compete in the upcoming 2025-26 Olympic season under the guidance of coaches Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali.
The Shibutani’s decorated career includes two U.S. Championships titles (2016, 2017) and three World Championships medals (2011, 2016, 2017). At the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, they won bronze medals in the ice dance and the team event competitions, making history as the first athletes of Asian descent and only non-white team to earn an Olympic ice dance medal.
Following the 2018 Olympic Games, the Shibutanis took a break from competition, which they extended following Maia’s kidney cancer diagnosis in 2019. During their time away from competitive skating, the Shibutanis have expanded their horizons as authors of four children’s books while continuing to contribute to the sports world as choreographers, creatives, ambassadors and advocates for diversity and representation.
“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,” Maia said.
“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,” said Alex.
The siblings began their partnership in 2004 and have earned medals in each of their 14 U.S. Championships appearances. In 2011, at the ages of 16 and 20, the Shibutanis made their debut at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships and became the youngest ice dance team in nearly 50 years to reach the podium. In 2023, they were inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility for their achievements and contributions to the sport.
“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, U.S. Figure Skating senior director of athlete high performance. “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.”
