- Joined
- Dec 22, 2012
but she must to do regionals and sectionals, I guess those tickets will be sold faster than NHK
Yep.
Mao Asada plans comeback
- Thread starter demarinis5
- Start date
Yep.
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2009
I don't think that Mao would actually want a bye to Nationals. Her manager already rejected doing GP assignments, so if she doesn't do regionals and sectionals, she'd suddenly have to do Nationals without testing her program and herself in public. Mao loves skating in Japan, far more than skating abroad, so for her, regionals and sectionals are good choices.
Reading Coach Sato's interviews makes me very relieved that he's her coach. He sounds so incredibly cautious about her getting back into shape! He definitely does not want to rush the training at all, lest it lead to an injury. And I agree. An injury would be really costly, and quite possibly fatal. Far, far better for her to just take her time and get back into shape incrementally, and while maintaining an injury-free condition, make whatever improvements that still need to be made in terms of technique and what-not.
I personally think it would be totally great if she could just do regionals, sectionals, nationals and then go to Worlds. That would free up alot of time for her to train without strain this year. As long as she can find herself after Worlds feeling that she has a good shot at a gold medal, I presume she'll stay for the Olympic season. If she chooses to stay for Olympics, I wouldn't mind if she chose to do just one Grand Prix assignment (i.e., NHK), and then, just go for Nationals, and then, as practice, possibly 4CC. I think for Mao now, the principle should be, less is more.
Reading Coach Sato's interviews makes me very relieved that he's her coach. He sounds so incredibly cautious about her getting back into shape! He definitely does not want to rush the training at all, lest it lead to an injury. And I agree. An injury would be really costly, and quite possibly fatal. Far, far better for her to just take her time and get back into shape incrementally, and while maintaining an injury-free condition, make whatever improvements that still need to be made in terms of technique and what-not.
I personally think it would be totally great if she could just do regionals, sectionals, nationals and then go to Worlds. That would free up alot of time for her to train without strain this year. As long as she can find herself after Worlds feeling that she has a good shot at a gold medal, I presume she'll stay for the Olympic season. If she chooses to stay for Olympics, I wouldn't mind if she chose to do just one Grand Prix assignment (i.e., NHK), and then, just go for Nationals, and then, as practice, possibly 4CC. I think for Mao now, the principle should be, less is more.
Miki was out for two years, and came back after giving birth (!). She was still able to regain a triple-triple (albeit a much easier one than she used to do) and most of her jumps. And in the course of her comeback, she beat... current World Champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva. Considering the challenges were much tougher for Miki than they are right now for Mao, I wouldn't use that as comparison why Mao won't make it.
I agree with Sandpiper. I think some critics are quick to point out the pitfalls of her comeback, much more than looking back and realising that Mao Asada is not just some light fairy on ice. She trained as an elite athlete for a decade more or less, and she was only out for one season. The body remembers, and despite her age, Mao is only what? 24? Her body, one would imagine, isn't that worse for wear.
I find her realistic outlook smart and mature. What's the point of competing if she can't even practice the way she was practicing last cycle? So how about we all just watch this space, wish her all the best of luck and see what comes out of all this?
Triple Axels aside, Asada has always had a reliable Flip and loop, her 3T was alright and her salchow, though tiny, has actually been pretty consistent. And so is her flutz. Those elements alone are enough to rank her within the top 10. If Ashley Wagner can come out of her limbo, well, a champion like Mao should be just fine.
I find her realistic outlook smart and mature. What's the point of competing if she can't even practice the way she was practicing last cycle? So how about we all just watch this space, wish her all the best of luck and see what comes out of all this?
Triple Axels aside, Asada has always had a reliable Flip and loop, her 3T was alright and her salchow, though tiny, has actually been pretty consistent. And so is her flutz. Those elements alone are enough to rank her within the top 10. If Ashley Wagner can come out of her limbo, well, a champion like Mao should be just fine.
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2009
Mao's salchow is actually not tiny at all. Someone came out with measurements of skaters' different jumps in another thread, and as I recall, she has the biggest salchow jump out of all the ladies. Compared to her other jumps, Mao's salchow is the 2nd biggest jump of her's after the axel (<--- her axel being the biggest jump done by any lady, including any of the jumps done by Kostner, Eliza, etc.). And incidentally, on average, all of her jumps compare favorably in size to other ladies' jumps. So this myth that any of Mao's jumps are tiny is just a myth which close inspection has revealed to be untrue.
I also recall that in terms of lutzes, Eliza's lutz was the biggest amongst the ladies, and was the second largest jump after Mao's axel.
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- Joined
- Mar 5, 2014
Whatever the judges say, her triple flip and loop combos in the Sochi and Worlds LP were beautiful to me and so were her 3 triple axels in a row from the Sochi LP and especially in the Worlds SP and LP. They are reliable to my eyes and make for a wonderful performance to watch. She has many qualities that I find impressive in her jumps: rhythmic and musical flow, intricate transitions, symmetrical revolutions, erect posture and excellent distance, delayed rotation that accelerates into rapid revolutions, and good to excellent height. Her wave like flow and graceful gestures are also really impressive. Remember also even the judges gave Mao 7 points higher overall score at Worlds 2014 than Liza got at Worlds 2015. Mao should also have a big PCS advantage as well as an advantage in spins and steps.
Mao has been training as a runner since late last summer or fall, so even though she has had a break from competitive skating she has kept up her physical conditioning. So, I think she will be successful in getting back into the groove of competition.
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Well said!
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2015
here is the thread where the OP Vanshilar measured jumps heights: http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?53491-Measuring-Skater-Jump-Height
Here is Mao's:
And here the jump heights of Yuna, Carolina, Liza and Adelina who are all regarded as having big jumps:
And here is Midori widely regarded as one of the best jumpers:
I'm a bit hesitant for her to return to Lori Nichols for choreography but I did love Liebestraume a lot and it's my favourite LP from Mao. People talk abut Rach 2 and Swan Lake a lot but Liebestraume will always be no.1 to me so I hope Lori can do something like that again.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2014
Here is Mao's press conference in HD. The link I posted earlier wasn't:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt-PczfBy7c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt-PczfBy7c
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2013
The one she performed at 2011 4CC was just so
And to think she was reworking her jumps at the time, and dealing with her mother's declining health.
- Joined
- May 19, 2011
I'm excited to see what Mao can do. Lord knows she is far beyond everyone when it comes to artistry and presentation but she will need to work hard to get her jumps strong and consistent to compete with the firepower of the Russians.
I wouldn't necessarily call it a "comeback." It's not like she's been gone for two or three seasons. She took one season off. I don't think it will be difficult for her to get back in the swing of competition.
I wouldn't necessarily call it a "comeback." It's not like she's been gone for two or three seasons. She took one season off. I don't think it will be difficult for her to get back in the swing of competition.
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
I am not too worried about Mao coming back. She has been doing shows and she has not put on a lot of weight or had a baby. She will be fine. Now, she has had jump issues. Let's be honest. Many say she is consistent - I am not so sure. She is imho no Yuna Kim or Liza this year. Her triple triples are inconsistent. And sometimes they don't get a lot of flow. Tech book wise I still think Liza when on has a better triple axel - it just seems to flow better with consistent power through out. Mao looks like she throws herself into the jump more so and does not have the flow imho that Liza has. But in fairness Liza j ust started doing it at the end of the year. Mao will be competitive imho with her pcs anyways regardless of a flutz. Her skating skills would be the best probably of the current crop. If the Russian ladies can find out who is their queen and get a consistent no. 2 and 3 girl - Rad is doing a good job BUT the puberty monster is a key issue. So really Russia looks vulnerable because well Liza had one good year. RAD was consistent but looks vulnerable to puberty and a bit s pindly - not filled out so she seems vulnerable. Lipnskaya may never make it back. Ditto for Sotnikova. Pog looks like she may need a lot of counselling though physically more mature. Then the baby ballerinas Medeva and the bielleman twins well they are big if and vulnerable to puberty. Leonova should keep her short but has not skated well in the long. Mao will have to contend whichever three though as well as the American ladies - Wagner, Gold, Edmunds or whoever. I think she can hold off Korpi and her teammates for now.
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