Uno and Honda target 2030 Olympics in ice dance return

Japanese figure skaters Shoma Uno and Marin Honda have announced their return to active competition, setting their sights on qualification for the 2030 Winter Olympic Games. The pair held a joint press conference on 22 May 2026 to confirm their decision to resume competitive skating in the ice dance discipline starting from the next season.

The announcement marks a significant shift in the competitive landscape for Japanese figure skating. Uno and Honda specified that their return would be focused on ice dance, a discipline distinct from their previous individual or partnership formats. By targeting the 2030 Games, the skaters have committed to a four-year preparation cycle following the date of their public statement.

This development occurs against a backdrop of transition within the national skating community. Just nine days prior to Uno and Honda’s announcement, prominent skater Kaori Sakamoto revealed her retirement from the sport on 13 May 2026. The departure of Sakamoto has created a vacuum in the senior ranks, prompting established athletes like Uno and Honda to reconsider their competitive timelines.

The specific operational details of their return remain to be defined. The source material indicates that the skaters will begin active competition in the upcoming season, though the exact start date for this period is not specified. Furthermore, while the joint nature of the press conference suggests a coordinated effort, the precise partnership structure for Uno and Honda in ice dance has not been explicitly detailed in the available reporting.

The focus now shifts to the qualification pathway for the 2030 Olympics. As the skaters prepare for the next competitive season, their primary objective is to secure a spot on the Japanese team for the Winter Games scheduled four years from their announcement. This long-term goal underscores a strategic pivot in their careers, aiming for peak performance on the global stage in 2030.