The Shib Sibs are back!
Maia and Alex Shibutani announced their return to competitive figure skating in a statement via US Figure Skating on Thursday, May 1.
The two-time Olympic medalists say they plan to return to competition in the 2025-26 Olympic season — five years after Maia, 30, revealed that a tumor she had removed from her kidney was cancerous. In May 2024, Maia told PEOPLE she was “healthy and doing well.”
In their 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.”
Related: Maia Shibutani Returns to the Gym for the First Time Since Her Cancerous Tumor Was Removed
Alex, 34, said in the statement that he and Maia are looking forward to bringing a new flare to the ice. “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.”
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Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani on February 12, 2018
The siblings will train under coaches Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali, the release said.
Maia and Alex took a break from competition after winning bronze medals in the ice dance and team event competitions at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. When Maia was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2019, the siblings extended their break from the sport.
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During their time away from the ice, the siblings explored different avenues, including endeavors in choreography and writing four children’s books, per the release.
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Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani on April 17, 2025 in West Hollywood, California
Related: Olympian Maia Shibutani Says She’s ‘Doing a Little Better’ as She Recovers from Having Tumor Removed
Maia opened up about her cancer journey in posts on Instagram after the diagnosis. On Dec. 17, 2019, she said, “I’ve had my fair share of injuries in skating and I’m used to muscle and bone stuff, but this is different. It was explained to me that since I am young and in good shape, my muscles and nerves are really sensitive. Walking and making even smaller body movements is currently very painful and extremely challenging.”
Speaking to PEOPLE at the Gold Gala in May 2024, Maia said, “Everyone’s love and concern is very much appreciated but I’m happy to share that I’m healthy.”
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