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4w ago

Shibutani Siblings Announce Comeback for 2026 Olympic Season

After a seven-year hiatus marked by health challenges and creative pursuits, Maia and Alex Shibutani will return to competitive ice dance under their longtime coaches.

Maia Harumi Shibutani and Alex Hideo Shibutani arrive for an official State Dinner held by U.S. President Joe Biden in honour of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 10, 2024. REUTERS/Bonnie Cash
Ice dancers Alex Shibutani and Maia Shibutani pose for a portrait at the U.S. Olympic Committee Media Summit in Park City, Utah, U.S. September 25, 2017. The pair listens to Coldplay and Perez Prado while they train. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Maia and Alex Shibutani perform in the figure skating free dance event during the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.
Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of the U.S. perform during the ice dance short dance program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Nagano, Japan, November 28, 2015. REUTERS/Yuya Shino

Overview

  • Maia and Alex Shibutani, two-time Olympic bronze medalists, have confirmed their return to competitive ice dance for the 2025-26 season.
  • The siblings, known as the 'Shib Sibs,' stepped away from competition after the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, where they made history as the first ice dancers of Asian descent to medal at the Games.
  • Their hiatus included Maia’s recovery from a 2019 kidney cancer diagnosis and surgery, as well as creative ventures such as writing four children’s books.
  • The Shibutanis will train with Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali, aiming to secure one of three U.S. ice dance spots for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
  • Their return adds depth to a strong U.S. ice dance field, which includes reigning world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates.