Marin Honda and Shoma Uno Debut at Japan Ice Dance

Marin Honda and Shoma Uno, who formed an ice dance partnership in May 2026, made their official competitive debut at the 52nd East Japan Figure Skating Championships on November 1, 2026. The duo, popularly referred to as "Shomarin," finished in 4th place out of seven participating teams at the ALSOK Gunma Ice Arena.

Why it is trending now

Fans and media are tracking the performance of the high-profile pair following their transition from singles skating to ice dance. The tournament marked their first official entry into the competitive circuit, drawing significant attention to how the decorated former singles skaters would adapt to the technical requirements of ice dance.

Key facts

• The pair recorded a total score of 145.70 points across the competition, according to NNN.
• During the rhythm dance on October 31, they earned 58.68 points, as reported by NNN.
• In the free dance on November 1, they received a score of 87.02, according to NNN.
• The duo successfully achieved a level 4 evaluation for their lifts, which Honda noted was a rewarding result of their training.

Why this is trending in Japan

The interest stems from the prominence of both athletes in the Japanese figure skating community. As established former singles competitors, their transition to ice dance as a team has generated widespread curiosity among domestic sports fans regarding their potential trajectory in the new discipline.

Background and context

Following their debut, Uno acknowledged that the performance results did not fully meet their initial internal expectations but emphasized that the event provided crucial data on how their skating style translates to scoring in the ice dance category. Honda expressed that she felt more composed during the free dance compared to the rhythm dance, allowing the pair to execute their program with a focus similar to their practice sessions.

What happens next

The duo has stated their intention to continue refining their technique and program quality for future competitions. Both athletes expressed a commitment to "step up" their performance before their next scheduled appearance, though specific details regarding their next event were not available at the time of writing.