Ryo Shibata
Ryo Shibata is a former Japanese competitive figure skater. He currently competes in pair skating with Narumi Takahashi.
Personal life
Shibata was born on February 24, 1987, in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan.The Japanese media called Shibata "the Japanese Johnny Weir". He was able to perform a Biellmann spin in competition.
Career
Competing in men's singles, Shibata won two gold medals on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series and qualified to two ISU Junior Grand Prix Finals. He appeared at the 2003 and 2006 World Junior Championships, finishing 12th both times, and at three senior Grand Prix events. He retired in 2010.On May 18, 2016, it was announced that Shibata had teamed up with pair skater, Narumi Takahashi, and that they would train in Geneva, Illinois, under Stefania Berton and Rockne Brubaker.
As a team, Takahashi/Shibata won the bronze medal at the 2017 Asian Open Trophy and the silver medal at the 2017–18 Japan Championships.
In March 2018, Takahashi announced her retirement from competitive figure skating and Shibata ultimately announced his retirement in July that same year.