Mao Asada news

[seniorita]

Jntfan you play with words, I did not say Mao was just another skater, where did I say that? dont change my words, nobody who reaches Olys -coming from deep field countries- is just another skater...

I said that she had won all year and she had the hype around and of course there would be pressure, I said it, by the way the competitions she won was TEB and GPF as I said. I also said if Mao had pressure going to Torino she had 10 times more pressure now, more than the darling daughter of Japan in 2006 and she did just fine now with all Japan and sponsors and a meltdown season on her head (and no, Yuna's was far more this year than Mao's in early 2006, from sponsors, korea and probably the whole world, who are we kidding, she was a sure bet). So since she was ok with pressure in Vancouver I speculate (just speculate since we speak about the past) that she might have dealt with the pressure in Torino as well. Due to the lightness of her age, like Tara or Sarah and Tara was already WC by then.

I think there is an enormous difference of the expectation about Mao between Torino and Vancouver, with the bad start she had this year it became worse-there was a thread before Vancouver here speculating IF she would be in the national team. I dont know how many would expect her to win in Torino, but they would probably expect her to upset and medal instead of Sasha Irina etc, but if you remember the hype to win the Gold was Irina since worlds 05.

 

[janetfan]

Jntfan you play with words, I did not say Mao was just another skater, where did I say that? dont change my words, nobody who reaches Olys -coming from deep field countries- is just another skater...

I said that she had won all year and she had the hype around and of course there would be pressure, I said it, by the way the competitions she won was TEB and GPF as I said. I also said if Mao had pressure going to Torino she had 10 times more pressure now, more than the darling daughter of Japan in 2006 and she did just fine now with all Japan and sponsors and a meltdown season on her head (and no, Yuna's was far more this year than Mao's in early 2006, from sponsors, korea and probably the whole world, who are we kidding, she was a sure bet). So since she was ok with pressure in Vancouver I speculate (just speculate since we speak about the past) that she might have dealt with the pressure in Torino as well. Due to the lightness of her age, like Tara or Sarah and Tara was already WC by then.

I think there is an enormous difference of the expectation about Mao between Torino and Vancouver, with the bad start she had this year it became worse-there was a thread before Vancouver here speculating IF she would be in the national team. I dont know how many would expect her to win in Torino, but they would probably expect her to upset and medal instead of Sasha Irina etc, but if you remember the hype to win the Gold was Irina since worlds 05.

Ok, one thing we agree on. Irina had been all but unbeatable from 05' on. Flatfan says Shiz was the favorite in Torino but I never heard anyone else say that. :think:

The only thing is that as unbeatable as Irina had been - it was little Mao who beat Irina and not Shiz during the leadup to Torino. That is why I said expectations and pressure would have been enormous on Mao if she had been eligible for Torino.

I think when comparing Yuna to the Japanese skaters we need to remember there are many splendid skaters from Japan. Yuna is all Korea has at the very highest level so of course as thier first and only star skater Yuna will always have more endorsements than a Japanese skater.

Maybe we see it differently and sorry if you felt I was twisting your words.

This not really worth such an argument because it is speculation. Mao was not ever going to compete in Torino. Irina was the favorite and it just wasn't her night.

 

[Blades of Passion]

Ok, one thing we agree on. Irina had been all but unbeatable from 05' on. Flatfan says Shiz was the favorite in Torino but I never heard anyone else say that. :think:

Shizuka wasn't the favorite but, based on the practice sessions, everyone knew that Shizuka would deserve to win if she skated her best. Irina wasn't even attempting Triple-Triples at the Olympics, whereas Shizuka was effortlessly landing all kinds of Triple-Triples (and even a Triple-Triple-Triple combination...).

 

[Nadine]

Imho Mao is facing the same type of situation that Natalie Portman is facing in The Black Swan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrqA0whcGos&p=4C4776A621FA17B0&playnext=1&index=9).

To be the consummate all-around skater, one must be able to perform/incarnate both The White Swan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TTI0fWHzC0), with all its beauty, tenderness, lovely lyrical quality, and also The Black Swan ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6zKfZVurJY&feature=related), which speaks for itself. Finally, with age, comes the premiere all-around skater that can incorporate both (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5emTblCcD-c).

Thus far, I've seen skaters that can do one or the other, but none yet can do both, yet...

I look forward to seeing what Mao Asada will bring forth during the next 4 years, it whets my appetite thinking about it. Lol, I think it's a good thing that she & Kozuka share the same coach (TAT knows what I mean).

 

[feraina]

I can't *wait* for the GP's to start. This thread is going on and on about what Mao *might* have done not in the last Olympics, but the one before, which she wasn't age-eligible for?? How about let's talk about her new program? I like her combination spin, the last split position is really, really awesome. I'm sad that there's no longer a spiral sequence in the ladies SP. I like the tiny glimpse of a spiral she gave us, but I really wish it were longer! I will definitely miss the spirals from the skaters who do them well: Mao, Caroline, Mirai, Carolina. I'm very sad about that. I understand not having to endure long ugly spirals, but it's such a shame to not be able to witness any more long, beautiful ones, under these new rules.

Or how about Mao's new coaching situation?

For instance, I want to know, is her coach moving to her rink so that she can continue living with her family (and her puppy) and going to her university? Or will she have to relocate to join her coach's rink?

 

[ballade]

I heard that they would travel to each other's rink for training.
The first leason was in Chukyo U.

 

[jasminum]

Mao posted a message at her official website on Sept. 7 about her new main coach. She says she had her first lesson from Mr. Sato at Chukyo Uni’s rink on Sept. 7. She also says that she wants to learn a lot of things from Mr. Sato and improve herself technically and mentally.

As far as I know, Mr. Sato’s main rink is in Yokohama and Takahiko Kozuka visits there from Nagoya on regular basis, every weekend or so. So, probably Mao will travel to Yokohama on regular basis too? I’ve not heard or read anything in details about how often Mr. Sato will go to Nagoya. But, it seems Mao is not going to relocate.

I’m happy for Mao that she doesn’t have to be away from her dogs. I remember the first thing she said in the kiss and cry after her SP at Vancouver was her dogs’ name, “Aero, Tiara, Komachi! It’s me Mao!”

 

[rtureck]

Mao posted a message at her official website on Sept. 7 about her new main coach. She says she had her first lesson from Mr. Sato at Chukyo Uni’s rink on Sept. 7. She also says that she wants to learn a lot of things from Mr. Sato and improve herself technically and mentally.

So how far is Chukyo Univ rink away from Mr. Sato's home rink?

As far as I know, Mr. Sato’s main rink is in Yokohama and Takahiko Kozuka visits there from Nagoya on regular basis, every weekend or so.

So how far away is Koz's rink from Yokohama.

So, probably Mao will travel to Yokohama on regular basis too? I’ve not heard or read anything in details about how often Mr. Sato will go to Nagoya. But, it seems Mao is not going to relocate.

And why isn't Mao willing to relocate? Is she in college?

 

[silverlake22]

So how far is Chukyo Univ rink away from Mr. Sato's home rink?



So how far away is Koz's rink from Yokohama.


And why isn't Mao willing to relocate? Is she in college?

Mao is in college I believe, but the way college works in Japan is sort of confusing. I think Mao can just skate all day and doesn't have to take classes, as her "major" in college is sport. At least I think that's how it works...

 

[janetfan]

OK from one Nagasu fan to another. What do you think is Mirai's artisitc development along the lines of blades on ice, body line rhythmic feel and over expression? And what is her future potential in this area?

Sochi is > 3 yrs away and the Mao vs Mirai talk has begun LOL fun

That is an interesting question and sorry I missed it. Since you thought it up would you care to go first?

 

[suosuo]

So how far is Chukyo Univ rink away from Mr. Sato's home rink?

It is 90 minutes by shinkansen.

So how far away is Koz's rink from Yokohama.

I think Koz is also based on Chukyo University rink when he is in Nagoya. From what I heard, he visited shinYokohama, where Mr.Sato's rink is located, in weekends, holidays and before major events. At other time, he is coached by his parents in Nagoya

And why isn't Mao willing to relocate? Is she in college?

She has a great rink in Chukyo University and she is the main reason Chukyo University build this rink. And Mr.Sato's rink is not far away from Nagoya. She still has Mr.Nagakubo when she is in Nagoya. So it makes sense to me that she will not relocate.

 

[feraina]

90 min is not too bad. That's not much longer than a typical commute for LA-area skaters, who go to multiple rinks to get all their sessions in. I am glad that Mao can stay at her rink, and get regular guidance from Sato.

 

[hikki]

Mao's new SP from a different angle. Sorry if this has been posted already, but I liked this program much much better after watcing this version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiyFYbrKGgU

She could work on synchronisation with the music more etc, but it's early in the season and I like the overall feel of the program!

 

[colleen o'neill]

:think:Hmmm. I don't know if better synchronization on Mao's part will make much difference... It seems to me the choreo., itself, is largely out of synch ..lots of musical features utterly wasted.Unless there are lots of details she's just leaving out this early , the program doesn't do anything for me. of course ,I expect Mao to skate beautifully..

 

[jasminum]

Here is another version, more close up. I think this hasn’t been posted here yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8SD536-8As&feature=related

Chukyo Uni’s Aurora Rink is the first ice rink in Japan which was build solely for figure skating. They don’t have to share it with ice hockey or other sports. The rink has been designated as a national training center for figure skating by a Japanese ministry. I’ve heard that the athletes on the JSF’s list for special support are allowed to use it free of charge with transportation fee reimbursement.

Chukyo Uni has figure skaters Mao Asada, Miki Ando, Takahiko Kozuka, Takahito Mura who are on the list. Kanako Murakami is also on the list and a student of Chukyo University Chukyo High School.

I don’t want Mao to relocate if she doesn’t want to. But, I hope she will visit Mr. Sato in Yokohama more often than Mr. Sato will travel to Nagoya. I’ve heard that after Yukari Nakano retired, Mr. Sato didn’t want to take on a new student because of his health. I hope Mr. Sato will stay healthy and be with Takahiko and Mao for Sochi. So, I hope he will be free from the burden of frequent trip to Nagoya.

 

[Olympia]

Thanks for the information, Jasminum. I didn't realize Mr. Sato was unwell. If that is the case, I hope Mao is able to visit him instead of the other way around. How impressive that he decided to coach Mao even after saying he didn't want to take on another student. He must really value her talent.

 

[bekalc]

Originally Posted by janetfan
Ok, one thing we agree on. Irina had been all but unbeatable from 05' on. Flatfan says Shiz was the favorite in Torino but I never heard anyone else say that.

As Blade said obviously the hype was on Irina and then Sasha before everyone showed up. But Shizuka was dominating practices. She was doing 3/3s with ease left and right even 3/3/3s. In contrast Irina wasn't skating well, and Sasha barely showed up for practices. Talk was that Sasha was injured and not skating well in her private practices.
There's a reason both Irina and Sasha looked so scared going into their long programs, and it wasn't just Olympic pressure, it was they weren't skating well in practices. Imagine going into the most important moment of your skating career, knowing that your run throughs weren't going well?

It was at the point where Morosov said that he told Shizuka not to even attempt a 3/3 because he didn't think she'd need it to win. People keep on saying Shizuka only won because Irina and Sasha didn't skate well, but the fact is Shizuka actually played it safe.

Nobody who saw the practices was shocked Shiz won. What was frankly disappointing was that Shizuka didn't even give it her best. I think if Mao was there or Yu-na (Yu-na could have done well at the Olympics too given how she was skating that season). I don't think Shizuka would have taken that risk. I think she might have gone for at least one 3/3.

 

[feraina]

Here is another version, more close up. I think this hasn’t been posted here yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8SD536-8As&feature=related

Thanks for posting this wonderful version. It's much better quality, and also taken from an angler to where the judges would be sitting. I notice that she spots the judges area a lot in this performance, much more than usual. That gives the audience (at least those on the judges' side) the sense that she's connecting much more with the audience. I also like it that she smiles during the performance. I hope she will keep that beautiful smile when she competes with the program.

She was exclusively focusing on jumps and other elements until recently, and this is the very first time she's skating this program in public (and on bad ice). So I wouldn't be surprised if she will bring much more detail and excitement to the program later in the season.

Go Mao!

 

[jasminum]

Well, I should've written it more precisely. I think Mr. Sato is ok. I didn’t mean he is unwell. I remember watching his interview where he was asked if he’s going to take on new students after Yukari retired, he sounded reluctant saying only if he were healthier. I think his concern about his health is coming from his age (68 years old).

If Takahiko and Mao will be able to deliver excellent performances during this and coming seasons, I’m sure Mr. Sato will feel much, much better. Not only for him though, students’ good results will be the best medicine for aged coaches.

 

[Olympia]

I see what you mean, Jasminum! And I completely agree with your second comment about how students' good results are the best medicine for older coaches. Look at Frank Carroll this year! And John Nicks with Sasha Cohen. Both of these gentlemen are in their seventies, I believe--not that that's old, but it's rather senior for sports. May they live many more healthy years, and may we get to cheer their skaters on.