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- Oct 22, 2006
I think it's hard to say if Asada or Kim will match MK's records.. very hard to say because anything can happen. Injuries, burnouts.... but you never know.
Will Asada or Kim match Kwan's record for consecutive world podium finishes?
- Thread starter Mathman
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Triple Axel is certainly a difficult jump. But, if someone claims to be superior in difficulty department, that someone should be reasonably good at both difficult and easier techniques. That is what I think.
Back to the origianl topic, Kwan's 9 Worlds podium is quite an accomplishment not easy to break. Even for Yuna and Mao, it won't be easy, considering the bar is getting higher and higher.
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- Jun 21, 2003
That's a good point about the bar getting higher and higher.
When Sonia Henie won the first of her 10 censecutive world championships in 1927, there were only four competitors: two from Norway and one each from Germany and Austria. So Sonia was judged better that the German champion, the Austrian champion and the number two Norwegian lady.
The next three years there were 6 ladies in the show.
In contrast, when Michelle Kwan won her first worlds, in 1995, there were 39 skaters representing 31 different countries.
When Sonia Henie won the first of her 10 censecutive world championships in 1927, there were only four competitors: two from Norway and one each from Germany and Austria. So Sonia was judged better that the German champion, the Austrian champion and the number two Norwegian lady.
The next three years there were 6 ladies in the show.
In contrast, when Michelle Kwan won her first worlds, in 1995, there were 39 skaters representing 31 different countries.
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- Jun 24, 2007
Mao hasn't been hampered by her lack of complete set of triples, has she? She has jumps that give her more points than salcow and toe. Why would you worry about less difficult jumps, when you have all the jumps that bring you more points and fill your program?
For those who insist Yu-na is better than Mao, I would certainly hope they have been to the arena and watched both skate. IMHO, Mao has the command of ice that nobody has since Slutskaya. Mao does have the athleticism of Slutskaya combined with floating grace. Yu-na can certainly handle very difficult moves and the supposedly textbook jumps, but she doesn't have the same power and flow that Mao presents on the ice. Go watch Mao skate first hand, then you won't jump to a conclusion that Yu-na is better than Mao. You may wonder how Mao can possibly lose.
For those who insist Yu-na is better than Mao, I would certainly hope they have been to the arena and watched both skate. IMHO, Mao has the command of ice that nobody has since Slutskaya. Mao does have the athleticism of Slutskaya combined with floating grace. Yu-na can certainly handle very difficult moves and the supposedly textbook jumps, but she doesn't have the same power and flow that Mao presents on the ice. Go watch Mao skate first hand, then you won't jump to a conclusion that Yu-na is better than Mao. You may wonder how Mao can possibly lose.
I was watching some old clips of Karen Kwan today and the similarity between her and Yu-Na really struck me- they both have a really airy, graceful quality , great musicality, and unfortunately a certain degree of fragility to their skating. Mao's more like Michelle circa 1995 in that she's a terrific jumper who hasn't really blossomed artistically. Sure, she may have the power of Slutskaya and the flow of Arakawa, but she doesn't have the exuberance of the former nor the maturity of the latter.
However, they're both works in progress, and they seem to be aware of that. Yu-Na's newest extension showcases a hugely improved spiral and sit spin, and Mao's "So Deep is the Night" program is more expressive than anything else I've seem from her. Mao also seems to be working on the flutzing and toe-axeling.
Although it's doubtful that they'll tie Michelle's record, who knows? When Yu-Na can land on the podium with an essentially 4-triple LP and Mao can set a world record with two major mistakes on the jumps, I'd say most of the other skaters have some catching up to do, especially with both girls working hard to improve even further.
At this point, I prefer Yu-Na by a mile but think that Mao has a better shot. I mean, I still prefer Karen to Michelle.
However, they're both works in progress, and they seem to be aware of that. Yu-Na's newest extension showcases a hugely improved spiral and sit spin, and Mao's "So Deep is the Night" program is more expressive than anything else I've seem from her. Mao also seems to be working on the flutzing and toe-axeling.
Although it's doubtful that they'll tie Michelle's record, who knows? When Yu-Na can land on the podium with an essentially 4-triple LP and Mao can set a world record with two major mistakes on the jumps, I'd say most of the other skaters have some catching up to do, especially with both girls working hard to improve even further.
At this point, I prefer Yu-Na by a mile but think that Mao has a better shot. I mean, I still prefer Karen to Michelle.
But Mao doesn't do Lutz, most difficult jump.
You are right. It is just your humble opinion. Again, breaking Kwan's record is not one of YuNa's goals.
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- Aug 15, 2003
How would you know that's not her goal? Did you actually talk to Yuna and asked her about that?
Are you like Yuna's mom or Yuna herself? Or you just know everything about Yuna just because you are.. from Korea??
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- Jun 21, 2003
She wasn't bad. Finished fifth at U.S. Nationals in 1996 (Michelle's first national title).I didn't know Karen skated.
Karen was tall (5'8") and had long legs and long willowy arms. She had her triple jumps, but was best known for graceful artistry.
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- Jun 22, 2007
Aside from your rude remarks, maybe you're right about being from Korea, that Korean does know that is not her goal.
Since Yu-na repeatedly said to Korean media that she is not really attached to the thought of winning, but hopes to do a clean programme, then she would be satisfied. That's something only Korean fans get to know, I guess??
Though I get the feeling she's being cautious from overwhelming expectations that her whole country shows, it surely seems she's not aiming at winnig world title in nine consecutive years.
Unlike her fans, including me
, Yu-na is not that ambitious and she even shows respect to her so called "rivals", introducing their programme in her blog as her favourite. And that's the part she strikes me as a person, humble and considerate as she is.
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Mathman said:
Both are jr world champ but Mk achieved that at 13. MK achieved world champ senior at 15. Mao and YuNa are already older than 15. I think neither are likley to match 5 world gold, 3 world silver, and one world bronze.
In ladies f.s. (since they abolish figures) only Kristi has olys gold + 2 world gold.
So if either Mao or YuNa achieves an olys gold, and a 2-3 world gold + a couple of world silver, then I think one of them will exceed MK's record.
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Uhmmm, since one olympic gold equals four world golds? Considering the public's hefty emphasis on olympic gold, i guess that math kinda works. Anyway, looks like this is going to be one of those threads that revive every other day. I think both have proved themselves as unique skaters. Mao's superb delicate skating skill and soft landings of those difficult jumps are to die for. It's funny that some posters compared her to Slutskaya, bc I always thought Miki was more like Slutskaya than Mao. Actually, I can't think of any skater to whom I can compare Mao. I thinks she's just precious.
And for Yuna, her last year's SP especially showcased her Katarina Witt/Michelle Kwan like side. She also has an amazing body line which accentuates her lightness and grace. IMO, she is one of the prettiest skaters of all time. So, whether they match Kwan's record or not, I don't think it really matters. Just like gold-less Sasha Cohen is adored by skating fans.
And for Yuna, her last year's SP especially showcased her Katarina Witt/Michelle Kwan like side. She also has an amazing body line which accentuates her lightness and grace. IMO, she is one of the prettiest skaters of all time. So, whether they match Kwan's record or not, I don't think it really matters. Just like gold-less Sasha Cohen is adored by skating fans.
to be fair to her, she did win one national championship (but only when Kwan pulled out). However, most people remember her as always the bridesmaid, always leading in the short and falling to 2nd or 3rd overall after falling and/or botching something else up.
hmm...my curiosity has been peaked...you know what's coming next...umm, anyone got a video of her?
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Well, I will remember Sasha not because she was the "bridemaid" of Kwan but because she had qualities no other had, like her amazing extention and dramatic interpretation. But it's true that not many remember runner-ups unless they have someting REALLY special in them.
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- Aug 15, 2003
to be fair to her, she did win one national championship (but only when Kwan pulled out). However, most people remember her as always the bridesmaid, always leading in the short and falling to 2nd or 3rd overall after falling and/or botching something else up.
hmm...my curiosity has been peaked...you know what's coming next...umm, anyone got a video of her?
Karen Kwan
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XzoPS7Nn86g&mode=related&search=
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- Jul 1, 2007
hmm...my curiosity has been peaked...you know what's coming next...umm, anyone got a video of her?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=85O-GcYOn2M
Very artistic girl. She just wasn't able to master the harder Triple jumps like her sister could. The whole situation is just like Mao and Mai Asada. Now let's see if Mao will also grow into a contemplative, moving skater like Michelle did.
I think if either Mao or YuNa can get one olys gold and 3 world gold, that means the one olys gold equals 2 world gold.
I don't remember her as bridesmaid to Kwan, but generally a bridesmaid.
extension yes. dramatic interpretation, sigh IMO her presentation is rather loud, if you want to call that dramatic.
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IMO, unlikely for either Mao and/or YuNa.
For one, physically the injuries are most likely catch up them or any young skaters. With all those jump demands. As someone already mentioned YuNa is injury prone at this point. I think Mao is not far behind. Most skaters at this level have to live through 'pains'. Though most of them tend to 'hide'/'secrete' their pains and/or injuries. Once you got the 'wind' it probably beyond the repair. Just read Michelle Kwan at Wikipeidia, it mentioned that her 2006's injury actually was an old one diagonized since 2002.
For two, mentally, non of these two strike me has 'steel' nerves. Especially Mao, it was known around the rink, that if she made a first mistake, then the rest of her program would riddled with more mistakes.
For one, physically the injuries are most likely catch up them or any young skaters. With all those jump demands. As someone already mentioned YuNa is injury prone at this point. I think Mao is not far behind. Most skaters at this level have to live through 'pains'. Though most of them tend to 'hide'/'secrete' their pains and/or injuries. Once you got the 'wind' it probably beyond the repair. Just read Michelle Kwan at Wikipeidia, it mentioned that her 2006's injury actually was an old one diagonized since 2002.
For two, mentally, non of these two strike me has 'steel' nerves. Especially Mao, it was known around the rink, that if she made a first mistake, then the rest of her program would riddled with more mistakes.
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