The Shib Sibs are returning to competitive figure skating
The brother-sister duo will compete in the upcoming season ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy
Alex and Maia Shibutani at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games
Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock
Words by Daniel Anderson
Olympic bronze medalists Alex and Maia Shibutani are making a surprise return to competitive figure skating after more than seven years away from the sport. The brother-sister duo, known as the Shib Sibs, announced this week that they will compete in the upcoming season ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy.
The Shibutanis last competed at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, where they earned bronze in both the ice dance and team events. They did not formally retire but stepped away from competition, later pursuing creative projects including authoring children's books. In 2019, Maia underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from her kidney.
Alex and Maia, now 34 and 30, will train with longtime coaches Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali as they aim for a third Olympic appearance. Their return adds to an already competitive U.S. ice dance field, led by reigning world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates.
In a statement on Thursday, Maia said, “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."
Alex added, “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."
Published on May 2, 2025
Words by Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.