It's been over 2 weeks since the Worlds, so getting a bit an old news...but some quick translation for Akiko fans.
Just thought might still be of interest for those do not read Japanese...My apologies in advance if someone already translated here or elsewhere on this.
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Sources: Column in Sports sec., Nikkei shimbun, April 2nd, 2012
Reminder to readers: Japanese is a rather indirect language. In order to make more sense in English, I may add and/or replace some English words in the process of translations. Also, I am no expert in stanslation, please ignore grammatical errors if any. Thanks!
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<<"Being myself." says Suzuki;
A late bloomer who believes in herself and has captured the Bronze at age 27>>
Ever since steppend on the ice for the first time in her life at the age 6, she has been through many ups and downs. On March 31st, her efforts overcoming countless hardships over the years have finally paid off in Nice, France for Akiko Suzuki. Just turned 27 y.o. 3 days ago, she has become the elderest world medalist in the history of Japan's figure skating.
"I have always believed that I could improve myself everyday: improve somewhere with my skating today, then improve elsewhere tomorrow, as long as I believe so. This is the very first present I got for my birthday!", Akiko said, proudly looking at the shining bronze medal on her chest.
Right after Carolina Kosnter who made the audience in Nice get wildly excited with her brilliant and the world title winning performance, Suzuki steppend on the ice, appearing with her composure. Dressed in a vivid blue costume and flying over the ice, she performed the strong Free skate.
"Well, that was typical of myself at the end. I never disappoint you, don't I?" she said jokingly with a smile, pointing out the only visible mistake to pop her second Lutz into single.
When entered Tohoku Fukushi University at age 18, Suzuki suffered an eating disorder and lost 15 kg (approx. 33 lbs). She had to drop out of the competitive skating for a couple of years due to this disease. The disease also reminded her how she loved what she did, and changed her attitude towards skating; in a much stronger, more positive way than any others.
"One one can beat Akiko concerning the amount of practice time on the ice here. I always tell her, 'Are you practicing more?'"; says one of junior skaters at her rink in Nagoya.
After arriving at Nice, her condition went back and forth during daily on-ice practice; hitting all jumps one day, then fall after fall another day. Even on such a bad day, she never had a doubt in herself: "You had prepared enough back home for this event. You landed jumps hundreds of times already, didn't you?"
Prior to the biggest competition of the season, which was to be the second one for her to compete after 2010 Worlds, Suzuki reminded herself that this might be her last one in her whole competitive career. She promised, in herself, to fight for it to the utmost of her capability.
And she did (won the first world medal and satisfied with the result). But Suzuki regrets that pop, a mistake on jump, too.
A late bloomer admitted to the media after the competition, with a happy smile, that Mr Nagakubo her coach told her as follows: "You are leaving Nice with your homework undone. You can not quit, just yet!"
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