Mao Hopes To Cheer For People Through Her Performance
Mao Asada interview.
http://www.asahi.com/sports/column/TKY201104220337.html
(translated by me)
Watching the scene of the unprecedented disasters on TV, she lost for words.
‘I was at home in Aichi when the earthquake struck. I felt the shake and then I saw the scenes of disasters, one after another, shown on TV. To be honest, I am not sure whether it is morally right to go the World Championships.’
She talks of her mixed feelings; but the decision was made by the JSF and she has to go. As long as she is going…
‘All I can do now is to remember what I have done this season and give all I have got at the competition. There are my fans, who are directly affected by the disasters. I know the Worlds means little to those who are in the middle of difficulties, but I hope watching me doing my best at the competition somehow gives courage to them.’
She says she tries to ignore the fact that she is a reigning World Champion. She has struggled with adjusting her jump techniques, especially in the first half the season. What does one-month delay means for her?
‘After the Four Continents, I worked very hard as the final push towards the Worlds scheduled in March in Tokyo. So when Tokyo Worlds was cancelled, Sato-sensei told me to have some rest first. I was mentally and physically in the last stage of preparation, and I needed time to refresh, otherwise I could not have kept myself in a good condition. I took a week off shortly after the earthquake. Then the decision to move the Worlds to Moscow came and I was ready to start again for the competition in a month time.’
She spent many hours on ice with Takahiko Kozuka, who is also coached by Nobuo Sato. She practiced, witnessing the speed and strong jumps of a male skater first-hand.
‘I spend 4 hours a day on ice. I do one run-through each for the short and long programmes everyday. After the time off, I practiced at a constant pace. I realised one issue needed to be addresses at the FCC; Sato-sensei tells me to bring more sense of speed and energy to the programmes.’
Moscow is like her second base. Tatiana Tarasova will be there to greet her.
‘I have only good image of Russia. Tatiana-sensei, who choreographed my short programme of the season, is there, and I might ask for a minor adjustment for my costume. I felt a little down when I heard Tokyo Worlds was cancelled, but I practiced well and enough after the week off. I am ready for the competition.’
Mao’s mother, Kyoko’s comment; One Step Towards a Grown-up
This has been a season for Mao to step closer to be a mature skater, after experiencing the Olympics last year.
She has been with many coaches and learned many things from them. They all treated Mao nicely and still give her advice now and then.
Before the season started, Mao wished to reconstruct her jumping techniques, and asked for some lessons from Hiroshi Nagakubo, who taught her once when she was a child. I always support her, respecting what she wants do.
We asked Nobuo Sato to be her coach in September. Thinking about her future, we thought there was no one but Mr. Sato in Japan, whom we could turn to. Mao wanted him to be her coach too.
We are of course aware that it could take 3-4 years for us to understand each other well, no matter how great a coach is. Mao is working towards Sochi in 2014, under the tutorage of successful and illustrious Mr Sato.
)
why you always have such a cute moment!!!!
