Mao Asada plans comeback

[MaxSwagg]

I too hope she comes back. Last season she looked better than she ever has (Sochi was really just an unfortunate fluke) and her quality compared to the current field is just...incredible! Unmatched...

 

[actualrealliveanna]

I love Mao! So excited to hear this. Very interested to see what will happen if she does compete on the GP with Liza, Elena, Satoko, Ashley, and Gracie. All 5 girls had an incredible season- so it will be interesting to see what goes down!

 

[AsadaFanBoy]

Oh. My. God.

Whoever said that above, yes. Dreams do come true.

By the way, my username says plenty about how I feel about this.

Can't wait for a 3A faceoff.

 

[Barb]

great news!! I really miss Mao. so she can get invitation from NHK and another country for GP? she can do B competition?
next season will be amazing :dance::dance:

 

[Lanaden23]

I really felt what Mao achieved in Sochi was just the beginning. She still has a lot more to offer. I've been hoping all year she will make a come back.. I really hope its true..

 

[Batsuchan]

The article suggested that we might see her at Skate America..but right now there is no concrete statement from her (at least not according to the news article)--just an unnamed source close to her. I guess we'll have to see what happens in her press conference on the 18th...

If she does come back, this is going to split my loyalties! Competitions are now going to be so much more nerve-wracking for me!

 

[Interspectator]

As much as I love all the young teens competing last season, I was missing the seasoned ladies sooo much!
I really hope that it is true and that we can have Mao-chan in the mix in the up-coming season.
Since she has both difficult jumps and very good skating skills, I think it will push the younger ones to work on both--which will be good for the sport over all.

It may also take some of the pressure off of Satoko and Rika...or maybe add more? Who knows?

 

[Blades of Passion]

I hope she does the 3Flip+3Toe if she's coming back. Would be great to her get full credit for an 8-Triple LP, plus it's very valuable for the SP.

 

[Sandpiper]

:yay: I don't want to be happy too soon because it's not official, but I can't help it. Imo, she still has so much more to give.

 

[Figure 8's]

Always has been one of my favorite Skates. Not always easy to come back to your peak.

 

[Sandpiper]

I once suspect Kanako's change of mind about continuing (that should be after WTT) may have something to do Mao's leaning toward continuation. On another very practical issue: what about her lutz? I once read from Jpn fans (of unconfirmed source) that Mao can do 2-Lz with proper edge, and her re-work with Sato on jump, esp. on Lz, has been carrying on until WC 2013 in London. Sometimes I'd wonder if she simply does a 2Lz with proper edge, or if she tries even 2Lz-3T, would that make any difference.

The (f)lutz will probably keep her from attempting the 8-triple LP in the future... *sigh* 3Lze is now worth about as much as a good 2A. I'd love to see her get the lutz down to a !, but she probably has enough on her hands with 3A, 3F-3Lo, ect. I guess she'll switch the lutz for a second 2A.

If she wants to be really ambitious, she could try 3F-3Lo or 3Lo-3Lo in the SP (which would break 80 points if she can rotate them).

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I want Mao to come back so bad just to see a new step sequence. I think she drinks energy water with a splash of lightness or something. Of course her personality both on and off the ice will be more than welcomed. Sorry but I'm a huge fan of the the positive energy.

The only snag I see for her is how brutal the tech calls are these days. She needs to be on it. I hope this pans out. :yes:

 

[samm22]

Summary translation: 24-year-old Mao Asada has started training again under coaches Nobuo & Kumiko Sato with a view to returning to competition. She will hold a press conference on 18 May. Although she originally planned to retire after the Sochi Olympics season, she became unsure after finishing 6th. The Japanese Fed will ask Asada to confirm her intentions in May before the Grand Prix assignments are announced in June.

Reading between the lines, Mao has resumed training after her year off and is intending to return to competition, but she will confirm only after making sure that her body can cope with the training regime. It's unclear whether she has to do regionals to enter Japanese Nationals or whether she gets a bye.

Thank you for that!!! It aids with understanding greatly!

 

[clippers8200]

This makes me so happy!!!

 

[sunnystars]

The only snag I see for her is how brutal the tech calls are these days. She needs to be on it. I hope this pans out. :yes:

Definitely this. Her jumps will be in more scrutiny now that she's competing with Liza, who has her jumps (especially the 3A, in terms of rotation) down to a T.

Anyway, I'm excited to what she brings in the field! I do wish that she gets experimental in the upcoming season ...not that I don't like her lyrical soft style or anything.

 

[Sai Bon]

Lovely to see so many of you excited about Mao's return . I'm sure she will give the Russian ladies a run for their money and inspire the other Japanese ladies to try even harder. I can understand the argument (flying camel?) that she may be past her peak, but even if that happens to be the case, she has so much to offer still and she must be doing it for herself. She's graduated from university, could walk into a glam job in the media tomorrow and has more money than she knows what to do with. No doubt there is something she wants to accomplish if she's still prepared to put herself through all the training and self-discipline. What will her new programs be like? Can't wait... (even though it's not official)

 

[firal]

I can't wait to hear what she has to say about why she is coming back on the 18th (if that news is to be trusted). Although it is quite impossible for media attention not to be on her, I am hoping that she will just really enjoy her time performing and competing.

 

[paperhearts]

Super excited for Mao if this is true! Hope she has as good a comeback as Yuna had. Tech issues aside, I'm just happy to see her again and I look forward to seeing her new programs (and the return of her killer step sequences). If Adelina comes back next season and Julia is in top shape, the ladies' will be nerve-wrecking to watch. For sure I'll be refreshing news sites on May 18 to see is this is official.

 

[Barb]

Definitely this. Her jumps will be in more scrutiny now that she's competing with Liza, who has her jumps (especially the 3A, in terms of rotation) down to a T.

Anyway, I'm excited to what she brings in the field! I do wish that she gets experimental in the upcoming season ...not that I don't like her lyrical soft style or anything.

i know, Tatiana and Lori are great but it would be a good opportunity to try someone different. She must to get new programs soon, and probably she will be at Japan open??

 

[Skater Boy]

come back Carolina, Yuna, Joannie too then. It would be great to see them as well. I have mixed feelings. I do think Mao has wonderful quality but she lost to Yuna in two Olympics and really nothing will make up for that. In some ways I think other ladies deserve the limelight but skating is a selfish sport. I wish Mao well but I hope this does not hold back other skaters whether it be opportunities or media attention.