This news is far from unexpected, but it feels like a punch in the guts never the less... I can't do much but echo the sentiments everyone already expressed in this thread - Mao gave so much to this sport, she had the talent, the heart, the determination and most of all the bravery to share it all with us. She will forever be one of the all time greats and one of my absolute personal favorites, with many beautiful, heartfelt performances that will never be forgotten or grow old on me.
Hopefully she really doesn't feel like she has anything to regret (I know she said she doesn't, but please let me be melodramatic and say I hope it isn't Mao trying to be brave for her fans or anything like that), and hopefully she finds whatever it is she is looking for in her future. It makes it a bit easier to accept that I know respect, admiration and love will follow her wherever she goes, because she has earned that with years and years of hard work and being such a classy, respectful young woman. Whatever she decides to do on the future, she will always have my support, and I know that of many other fans as well.
