Will Mao Asada Make It to the 2018 Games?

[Crossover]

IMO to argue against it you'd basically have to believe that an Olympic Gold Medal is necessary for legend status, which I frankly just don't.

I've seen so many people here are really stingy with treating Katarina Witt, the two-time Olympic champion and 4 time World champion as a legend (e.g. her beautiful face and flaunting gestures helped her win her golds even without much technical brilliance such nonsensical blah blah..) while Kwan without OGM is treated well as a legend mostly by her American fans. So Mao who is not retired yet is called a legend by a few seems to me too early for that. That's all.

 

[MaiKatze]

She won't. She has already stated that she will continue her career and will skate for herself. She is aiming to go to the Olympics but is also aware that she will face strong competition.

That's exactly what I think she is doing and the impression I had of her at the WC. That she was just happy to be there, competing, skating, doing the thing she loves most. I didn't get the feeling that she was crushed or disappointed to be where she ended up at all. She seemed at peace. It's certainly a different approach and questionably if the japanese fed will like it that much, but I honestly think she deserves to skate. She earned this long ago, and who knows, she might return stronger next season. I think this WC was the toughest ladies competition for a long time. Apart from the usual suspects I wouldn't have expected clean skates from nearly all of them. It is nothing to be ashamed of to be 8th in that kind of field. Top 10 is still amazing - think that Evgenia is almost a decade Mao's junior to put that into perspective. Also I think that everyone is always going on about Evgenia's mental strength. Yes - the pressure is high, but I think the older you get the harder it gets to go out there and perform. You overthink whereas at 16 you just go and attack. It is easier, imho, to deliver when these are your first Worlds vs. being a three-time WC and two time Olympian.

I've seen so many people here are really stingy with treating Katarina Witt, the two-time Olympic champion and 4 time World champion as a legend (e.g. her beautiful face and flaunting gestures helped her win her golds even without much technical brilliance such nonsensical blah blah..) while Kwan without OGM is treated well as a legend mostly by her American fans. So Mao who is not retired yet is called a legend by a few seems to me too early for that. That's all.

I think this is more due to the fact that Goldenskate users are mostly American. If you ask the average person on the street in Germany, who is a legend, Michelle Kwan vs. Katarina Witt, the question would be Michelle Who? and of course the answer would be Katarina. She's a legend of figure skating, in Germany at least.

 

[solar]

Daisuke takahashi didn't perform his best in 2013-2014 nationals but was still selected on the world team because he was beloved by skating fans everywhere and had proven himself over and over again with his amazing skating skills and artistry. Even if Mao has an okay performance at nationals, I still think the federation would pick her based on her status and her amazing quality. It's also worth noting that Japan doesn't depend on just nationals to select their team, and that they take the whole season into account. As long as Mao continues to have solid performances during next season and the Olympic season, I think she'd be able to do it

 

[noskates]

Yes she will. She's a class act in every sense of the words. If she had landed her 3A in Boston (like she was in practice and warm-ups) her SP score would have been different and the outcome would have been wayyyy different.

 

[Krunchii]

I think her chances are very high, she already said she's not here for the medals, she said that the window as a competitive female skater is very small and she wants to give skating her all while she still can. It's very admirable of her to continue to chase her dreams like that.

I think for a lot of comeback skaters when you spend years and years competing as a junior, and then as a senior in non-stop seasons, and then comeback after a year off, it's really hard to get your mojo back and get back into the same competitive mindset as before. I think this season was a season of "growing pains" and next season we will get a better idea of how she will do going on. I think the same of Patrick and Volosozhar/Trankov. They got to shake off some jitters this season, next season will probably be more telling.

 

[MaiKatze]

Daisuke takahashi didn't perform his best in 2013-2014 nationals but was still selected on the world team because he was beloved by skating fans everywhere and had proven himself over and over again with his amazing skating skills and artistry. Even if Mao has an okay performance at nationals, I still think the federation would pick her based on her status and her amazing quality. It's also worth noting that Japan doesn't depend on just nationals to select their team, and that they take the whole season into account. As long as Mao continues to have solid performances during next season and the Olympic season, I think she'd be able to do it

Even as a big Daisuke fan that always made me feel a bit...odd. In the end I don't think that Kozuka could have done a lot better though, and I was happy that Daisuke got to experience one more Olympic Competition but these feelings are the feelings of a fan. If that decision had been fair, and if similar decisions in the future would be fair is at least debateable.

 

[tulosai]

I've seen so many people here are really stingy with treating Katarina Witt, the two-time Olympic champion and 4 time World champion as a legend (e.g. her beautiful face and flaunting gestures helped her win her golds even without much technical brilliance such nonsensical blah blah..) while Kwan without OGM is treated well as a legend mostly by her American fans. So Mao who is not retired yet is called a legend by a few seems to me too early for that. That's all.

I actually think I am pretty stingy about who I'd call a real legend myself, but I have no problem going on the record as saying that in addition to Mao, I think both Witt and Kwan would qualify, at least under any reasonable criteria.

 

[berry8]

I certainly think so. While she doesn't have an OGM, and while some seasons have certainly been better for her than others, she is a five time World medalist (3 of those being gold), an Olympic silver medalist, 3 time 4CC champion and 6 time 4CC medalist, 4 time GPF champion and 6 time GPF medalist, has won 23 GP medals, has won Junior Worlds and the JGPF. She remains the only woman to consistently (or at least repeatedly if you want to argue it's not consistent) land a triple axel in international competition period, and is indisputably the only woman to land it repeatedly over multiple years. Her career has also been very long for a ladies skater, spanning over 10 years, over ALL of which she had at least good competitive results. She's also known for her artistry and skating skills. To me if she doesn't qualify as a legend I honestly don't see who does, and IMO to argue against it you'd basically have to believe that an Olympic Gold Medal is necessary for legend status, which I frankly just don't.

It's amazing to remember what Mao has accomplished
Mao actually IS one of the best skater EVER.
When she skates she evokes the memories of a light and splendid butterfly I saw some years ago

 

[miki88]

I've seen so many people here are really stingy with treating Katarina Witt, the two-time Olympic champion and 4 time World champion as a legend (e.g. her beautiful face and flaunting gestures helped her win her golds even without much technical brilliance such nonsensical blah blah..) while Kwan without OGM is treated well as a legend mostly by her American fans. So Mao who is not retired yet is called a legend by a few seems to me too early for that. That's all.

Really? I haven't read the thread on Witt, but I always saw her as a legend, even though I'm not a fan. She made skating popular in mainstream media for a while (her looks, exotic appeal did help )

This may be just the big Kwan fan in me speaking but I feel her influence extends beyond North America. She is quite well respected in Asia and several skaters there have cited her as influence.

It may be too early to speak of skaters who are still competing. I do feel Mao has already contributed a lot to the sport though. She made the 3A relevant again in ladies skating almost 20 yrs after Ito. She inspired a new generation of Japanese skaters, and was the leading figure of the skating boom that's still going strong there. Finally, her Sochi LP performance is inspirational and will be remembered for a long time.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

If she continues, my one hope is that she abandons the 3A. If she can train and consistently rotate a 3-3, she can perform a layout like Evgenia's (maybe a 3F-3Lo instead) and win on PCS when she's clean. As a fan, I'm frustrated that she fails to see how much she has to offer besides the 3A and I'm sure training that jump takes so much time away from training moves like the 3-3 that can put her in winning positions in any event. I understand that she is "skating for herself" but if she continues to want a place on the Japanese team her focus should be on planning layouts that can optimize her placements.

 

[hurrah]

The only serious danger of Mao not going to Pyeongchang is an injury, I believe. That said, this season made me aware that Mao has it in her to announce retirement at any time.

 

[urara]

Comeback season is difficult to anyone.
Mao's main goal of this season was to get back into the form of 2014, though she was suffered from sickness and injury until the very end.
Score or ranking was not her priority.
But she seemed to get the sense of competition back at Worlds.
As soon as Mao got back from Boston, she said she would focus more on winning as well as improving jumps next season.

Mao was vulnerable in 2011/2012, but she won everything but Olympic in 2013/2014.
Few people thought Yuzuru became an Olympic Champion as of 2011/2012.
Anything can happen in two years.

 

[Shayuki]

In my opinion, if she's good enough to be in the team she should be in the team. If not, she should not. Of course, she'll most likely get some leeway and if she's barely 4th with 3 slots, she could still go and I'd be alright with that. Still, I really wouldn't like her to get to go if she's truly not performing at a satisfactory level just because of her past merits.

 

[jinhamasaki]

If she continues, my one hope is that she abandons the 3A. If she can train and consistently rotate a 3-3, she can perform a layout like Evgenia's (maybe a 3F-3Lo instead) and win on PCS when she's clean. As a fan, I'm frustrated that she fails to see how much she has to offer besides the 3A and I'm sure training that jump takes so much time away from training moves like the 3-3 that can put her in winning positions in any event. I understand that she is "skating for herself" but if she continues to want a place on the Japanese team her focus should be on planning layouts that can optimize her placements.

Instead of completely abandoning the 3A, maybe just leave in the FS in the next season. She should capitalize on having a strong SP and blow it out with her FS. Right now she buries herself in the SP which makes it difficult for her to podium when she's skating in the 2nd to last group. Once she is consistent she can consider putting in her SP.

I also wish she will not participate in the GP series anymore. At her age, she needs more time to recover. Instead of prepping for a GP event, she can devote that time to improve and also reduce the risk of injuries. She can participate in smaller competitions and easily win with a much easier layout (no 3A in the SP). In that respect, I think they should look at and mirror how Yuna Kim handled her comeback since that was managed very well.

Nonetheless, I think Asada has a great shot at making the Olympic team.

 

[AsadaFanBoy]

I agree with your opinion, but what would happen if all the Japanese ladies were to deliver at 2017 Nationals, and Mao ended up being 6th or something (also considering she had a subpar GP). Would that be fair to the skaters who finished ahead of her?

But yeah, anything can happen. There are too many different kinds of situations that can occur.

Wow. 2016 nationals is just a few months away and 2017 nationals is just next year. Pyeongchang isn't so far away anymore.

 

[skate29]

Even though this whole season was not great for her, Mao still showed she's really in a class of her own in terms of her skating skills and artistry. And you can tell she's so happy to be skating now, so her motivation is all there. She has everything she needs to get her technical elements back over the next couple of seasons so she can make the Olympic team. I'm so hoping she'll be a threat at Pyeongchang. I just can't help but feel like figure skating is missing the true artistry and beauty that skaters like Mao, Yuna, and Carolina brought. Mao sticking around is just what the sport needs!

 

[rollerblade]

Instead of completely abandoning the 3A, maybe just leave in the FS in the next season. She should capitalize on having a strong SP and blow it out with her FS. Right now she buries herself in the SP which makes it difficult for her to podium when she's skating in the 2nd to last group. Once she is consistent she can consider putting in her SP.

She can go back to her 2008/2009 layout; but since she always seem to get edge calls on her lutz, her solo triple would have to be 3S (unless she can repeat the 3F or 3L after using 3F-3L combo?).... which I believe was the whole reason she risks 3A in the SP? It's a make-or-break move for certain. Having a 3A means she can afford a 3-2 combo and still be leading after the short. Failing it means it's over.

Or she could just do what Liza/Adelina did.... get a monster 3T-3T with huge GOE, stick it in the 2nd half. Although I'm not sure a 3T-3T is enough nowadays, but as Kurt likes to say, "in the short program, just get it done."

 

[Skater Boy]

Daisuke takahashi didn't perform his best in 2013-2014 nationals but was still selected on the world team because he was beloved by skating fans everywhere and had proven himself over and over again with his amazing skating skills and artistry. Even if Mao has an okay performance at nationals, I still think the federation would pick her based on her status and her amazing quality. It's also worth noting that Japan doesn't depend on just nationals to select their team, and that they take the whole season into account. As long as Mao continues to have solid performances during next season and the Olympic season, I think she'd be able to do it

Mao is a legend at least of some level. So is Katatrina but we must remember her 1988 win was very controversial and by today's standards would have been just as debated if not moreso than Sotnikova's gold -they just didn't have the media outlets and internet back then. Now I am concerend that Mao has n. ot been consisent. If she were in Russia she would be left in Siberia.

 

[hurrah]

I think Mao will continue to train for 3-axel, 3flip-3loop and 3lutz layout during the off-season.

Even though she didn't medal this season, she accomplished alot in terms of jumps:
3flip-3loop ratified
3lutz ratified
3flip-2loop-2loop ratified (no under-rotation and with tano)
solid 3salchow

She's halfway there to achieving a Perfect Mao.

 

[gotoschool]

A testament to Mao's ability to move people and inspire them is not found on a protocol sheet. Instead it is found in the hearts of people, which to me is much more meaningful. On youtube, Mao's most watched Worlds 2016 LP performance posted in English has over twice as many views as Evgenia's with a much higher like to dislike ratio. After that, she has almost 4 times as many views as the next and then many more than any other skater in the women's competition after that. In my opinion and many others, the scoring especially for Mao was bogus in the LP because it was so deflated compared to the outpouring of praise for the performance and the large standing ovation she received outside of her home country, not to mention how much higher her PCS scores were than all the competitors coming into this season. Her PCS scores in the SP were too low as well. Her tech calls were also very harsh and her GOE stingy. So, I believe the ISU scoring is unjust. Even Phillip Hersh who has been quite critical of Mao in the past tweeted,

Fabulous, exquisite free with 3X by 3 time World Champion Mao Asada. Despite 2 jump flaws could be the best performance of the night.

I know Mao has been inconsistent this season and that she will need to be more consistent to win. But, Mao came into the competition with a knee injury that caused her to practice at only 60 percent beginning only in early March, and suffered from repeated cases of the flu during the busiest parts of the season. With or without these setbacks, her freeskate at Worlds was a great achievement if she was able to move this many people. It is something a protocol sheet can't do. I know Mao's performance in the free brought chills and tears to me which nobody else did, and many others agree.

I think Mao will make the team and I think she can be given high scores and placements, though I suspect she will continue to be scored unfairly. But, I won't determine the value of Mao's performance based on her scores and placements because the most important thing is how much her performances move me. Besides to me and so many others, her scores are so often deflated. I am just glad that Mao said she skated very well and that she was very happy with her LP performance and that she didn't really care about the scores. I am sure Mao wants to win, but I think fulfilling her own personal satisfaction and those who watch her skate is as at least as important to her, and she succeeded in this with her freeskate in Boston.