Suguri on Mao Asada: A love of skating

[pETEs (Sasha Fan)]

I don't think he's greedy. When Mr Fernandez was with him, he wasn't a top contender. When Mr. Hanyu asked Mr Orser to accept him, Mr. Hanyu was just 17 years old and no one knew if he could do well in the future. Mr. Orser asked Mr. Fernandez and he agreed to have a new teammate. I doubt that any of them at that time would predict both to become top skater after these years. In this case it's more like Mr Orser was lucky that good skaters with potential came to him and they're getting great results.

As for Miss Asada, it is too late for her. Even if she change coach now, her technique would not become more stable. She will always be a chronic UR. She should just focus on skating clean. Her jumps can not be fixed at this point. It's her mentality that should change.

I mean, this sort of thing led Yagudin to Tarasova. Can you imagine, par example, Michelle Kwan and Tara Lipinski / Sasha Cohen; or Yuna and Mao being guided by the same coach at the same time?

 

[mcq]

It is heartbreaking to see her looking disappointed. But at the same time, a comeback after a break is not something I expected to be smooth-sailing for her too (or for anyone in that matter). I guess people was taken aback because her comeback competition at JO and CoC is actually pretty good, nonetheless she has been struggling since. Her good FS at worlds did give me hope for this season that she would turn things around, but after SA and TDF, I get less and less confident.
However, I don't think anyone should tell her to stop competing if she still wants to. She must have had her reasons and as long as she is treated fairly by her Feds I don't see the problem.

I'm just gonna leave this here: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/.../time-mao-change-direction-give/#.WGKBRmTys35

Please Mao. Make that call!!! Time for Borser to make his magic. Give him that chance.

Lol what is in Jack Gallagher's head really. Orser is a head coach for 4 skaters who will all likely be going to 2018 Olympics (Yuzu, javi, Junhwan Cha and Tursynbaeva), and for Yuzu + Javi they are podium favorite. I doubt he would have time to focus on Mao going into the Olympics and I doubt he +TCC team can do so much difference with so little time left. Even now he doesn't have enough time for all of his students because everyone has different competition schedule. That is counting out students he co-coached with Lee Barkell (Gabby daleman, lubov/dylan, gogolev, roman sadovsky etc). However, I do agree that she might need a change. I am not sure if something as extreme as a coach change would be necessary, and if it will work at all considering it is just only 1 year to the Olympics. But maybe a training camp with a jump specialist or something?

 

[begin]

I'm just gonna leave this here: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/.../time-mao-change-direction-give/#.WGKBRmTys35

Please Mao. Make that call!!! Time for Borser to make his magic. Give him that chance.

lol what. Borser would be the worse coach for her. His students either come prepackaged with great jumps or are young enough to have bad ones fixed.

Anyway Jack Gallagher has been throwing meaningless ultimatums at Mao for years. He's nothing but a critic.

 

[daphenaxa]

Jack Gallagher, cancer of figure skating press

 

[Sai Bon]

Nikkan Sports article today speculates that Mao's only path to the Olympics is to win Nationals next year...but, with the very good chance that she falls outside of the ISU Top 24 next year, she would have to start all the way down at the Chubu Sectionals to get to the Western Japan competition just to get to Nationals next year.

Surely she might get one GP, and if not, she could rack up some points via the Challenger series? And if she does well, maybe she could get way with a 2nd or 3rd at nationals unless the current top three (or someone else) has a better record over the season?

 

[labgoat]

And live a life full of regrets because someone else told her to quit?

I for one am happy Mao continued as I love her programs so much this year. She is a case study for why a truly musical step sequence is not valued enough.

 

[LRK]

Surely she might get one GP, and if not, she could rack up some points via the Challenger series? And if she does well, maybe she could get way with a 2nd or 3rd at nationals unless the current top three (or someone else) has a better record over the season?

NHK Trophy, if nothing else, I'd imagine.

Anyway, to the general thread/discussion: Kind and understanding words from Fumie - very moving to read. I hope Mao doesn't feel hurt by the words of the naysayers - she should retire when she feels she is ready, and not one second before.

Also, Brian Orser is a great coach, no doubt - but what's this urge to send every skater & their uncle & aunt to him? Not every coach, no mattter how good they are, are right for every skater. Plus, really, if some people had their way, it seems he'd be coaching every single skater with even a smidgeon of talent - and the poor man would have no time to even breathe. "X should go to Orser!" is the constant cry. (shakes head in wonderment & perplexity)

 

[mrrice]

Was going to bring tennis into it myself, until I saw your post. And not just tennis but in other sports too like in racing, athletics, football and so on. It's quite strange how some viewers feel like they have a divine right to tell people when they should retire, especially when many of those athletes at the receiving end usually are within the top 10 of their league (like, Nadal, Venus and Federer), while they themselves will probably never be in the top 1000, let alone top 100, of their own professions.

I think Martina Navratilova competed professionally into her 40's and was a millionaire several times over before she retired and went into the commentary booth. Kimiko Date of Japan still plays competitive tennis and she's 46. When asked why she continues, she says, "When the fire goes out, I will stop." " I still have the fire to compete so why stop now."

 

[Warwick360]

I think Martina Navratilova competed professionally into her 40's and was a millionaire several times over before she retired and went into the commentary booth. Kimiko Date of Japan still plays competitive tennis and she's 46. When I asked why she continues, she says, "When the fire goes out, I will stop." " I still have the fire to compete so why stop now."

I follow Kimiko on FB, and my god she seems pumped for next year more than ever. She's been doing the conditioning like no tomorrow if the videos are anything to go by. I really hope she does well next year.

 

[YesWay]

However, I do agree that she might need a change. I am not sure if something as extreme as a coach change would be necessary, and if it will work at all considering it is just only 1 year to the Olympics. But maybe a training camp with a jump specialist or something?

Just my opinion - but I think that most of all, she needs to be injury-free...!

 

[mcq]

Just my opinion - but I think that most of all, she needs to be injury-free...!

Of course. That is out of the question

 

[yhmafan]

Thanks, ShiroKJ. I hoped that there’s some English translation of that because I had been impressed by her and then I found you posted it in the edge.

 

[zanadude]

Nikkan Sports article today speculates that Mao's only path to the Olympics is to win Nationals next year...but, with the very good chance that she falls outside of the ISU Top 24 next year, she would have to start all the way down at the Chubu Sectionals to get to the Western Japan competition just to get to Nationals next year.

Following the Four Continents competition, Mao's rank is now down to #25.

 

[Sai Bon]

Following the Four Continents competition, Mao's rank is now down to #25.

Holy crap. Does that mean she is unlikely to get any GP assignments? Can she do any Senior Bs?

 

[Barb]

Holy crap. Does that mean she is unlikely to get any GP assignments? Can she do any Senior Bs?

Japanese federation can invite her to NHK and other country can invite her too, especially China because they have not top lady, and Mao is enough popular.

 

[Skater Boy]

I don´t know, Brian needs concentrate on Yuzu and Javi, both fighting for the gold at worlds and olympics. Same reason I am not so happy about Marina having Patrick and Nathan, Shibs finally got some of her attention and then she got other two top skaters

Well it sadly seems she got one top skater Chen. Poor Chan I really hoped he would flourish but he needs a technical coach.

 

[Sai Bon]

Well it sadly seems she got one top skater Chen. Poor Chan I really hoped he would flourish but he needs a technical coach.

Think you might be in the wrong thread, Skater Boy?

 

[tinnychan]

Following the Four Continents competition, Mao's rank is now down to #25.

I believe Mao will get 2 GP assignments next season. She can have one from overseas and one from NHK.

From this season record, Dabin CHOI (#33 SB) and Tyler PIERCE(#39 SB) was received one GP from initial assignment.

 

[Sai Bon]

Japanese federation can invite her to NHK and other country can invite her too, especially China because they have not top lady, and Mao is enough popular.

True... I also know that federations sometimes invite skaters strategically so that their own skaters are more likely to win. But if Mao is out of the top 24, can she accept two GP invitations? I suppose she may also be an alternate for some events and get in that way...either way, it isn't going to be straightforward for her.

 

[Skater Boy]

Holy crap. Does that mean she is unlikely to get any GP assignments? Can she do any Senior Bs?

I wouldn't get too worried. First, NHK could invite her and she is still the most popular female Japanese skater. Second, she is still popular world wide so another event could ask her. Third, even if she falls down some more she still could get invites with injuries,retirements and withdrawls etc.