Mao Asada | Page 177 | Golden Skate

Mao Asada

largeman said:
I just looked up the past years' lineups... this is only the second time that a lady with a world championships medal is competing at Finlandia (Akiko in 2013 was the first, at that time she already had a world bronze medal).
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Yulia Lipnitskaya competed at Finlandia just last year...
 
yhmafan said:
It will be the first time in the FT history? I feel that the audience are lucky even more and gotoschool will be the lucky one. :rock:
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I do feel fortunate yhmafan, but my real reason for going is to see Mao skate live and hopefully her practices. I still have to get an exit visa from work and not forget to bring some blood pressure medicine to stay somewhat calm but that will be impossible.

Here are some recent photos I have found of Mao
Here is a photo of Mao with the novice Canadian champion, though I don't know when the photo was taken. I just know that I haven't seen it before and it was just posted recently.

http://blog-imgs-93.fc2.com/b/a/r/barcarollefantasie/3450.jpg

Here is what must be a photo shopped photo of Mao and Yuzuru:

https://scontent-dft4-2.cdninstagra...g?ig_cache_key=MTMzMjM2NDc3NDAxNzU2ODk3MA==.2

Here is an adorable photo of Mao as a little girl:

https://67.media.tumblr.com/8899321633e681d517256f52be62728b/tumblr_n19r5iDALE1rm6ftfo1_500.gif

Here is a beautiful photo stream: http://s988.photobucket.com/user/justin_photo_01/media/Mao_Asada_18.jpg.html

Here is a nice collage: http://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/27/cd/2e8179a0d3f3757d807f7fdb6a0e9cfc.png

http://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/24/46/0de3cc74dbc6e1b52a3d1fb5e0448a8a.png

A beautiful photo from the Japan Open 2015: http://c8.alamy.com/comp/F3B6HM/sai...3rd-oct-2015-mao-asada-jpn-october-F3B6HM.jpg

A beautiful photo of Mao's change of edge spiral in her Worlds 2016 LP: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YXT33hhI4KU/maxresdefault.jpg

Here is another new photo I think: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CrwfbOHVUAAzOn0.jpg
 
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Welcome to Finland Mao.........
Me and my wife have tickets to friday event to see pairs and ladies FS.
And this is my dream to see Mao live.
In the years that i have follow figure skaiting there have been so meny good ladies.
But Mao has always been my queen of ice.
So 07.10-2016 will be my big day:hap85:
 
Imagine said:
Yulia Lipnitskaya competed at Finlandia just last year...
Click to expand...

My bad... My eyes failed me and I snubbed world silver medalist Yulia :bang: Thanks for the correction!

Best of luck to Mao (and to gotoschool too :biggrin: you should rehearse what you'll say to her in advance so as not to get tongue-tied again when you bump into her)
 
largeman said:
Best of luck to Mao (and to gotoschool too :biggrin: you should rehearse what you'll say to her in advance so as not to get tongue-tied again when you bump into her)
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No amount of rehearsal will help. If you see her up close, one look into those deep clear bright eyes... and you are lost *_*

And she has an aura, and a serene type of beauty, that you can't see or appreciate from photos or video... nothing can prepare you for an encounter with that...!
 
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YesWay said:
No amount of rehearsal will help. If you see her up close, one look into those deep clear bright eyes... and you are lost *_*

And she has an aura, and a serene type of beauty, that you can't see or appreciate from photos or video... nothing can prepare you for an encounter with that...!
Click to expand...

I totally agree - one of few last competitive skaters to embody what figure skating should be - a mixture of skill, grace and commanding presence capturing your attention immediately. During all these years this feel about Mao never disappears - always a lady on ice, no matter if program is lyrical or more dynamic, dramatic or flirty, always amazing interpretation and engagement presented into performance, always great presence - from costume, make-up, details to expression. For me, regardless if she's on form considering jumps or not, she ALWAYS gets me by her performance, it very rare nowadays - for example 2 FS from ladies competition I only re-watch and remember vividly are Mao's and Anna P. - one successful (Anna's), one maybe not so much in terms of points/technique, but she generated such an impression, such an icon of that program therefore it really made an unique moment. The posture, the presence, all movement, ballerina grace, expression - it's all there when we talk about Mao
 
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NoNameFace said:
I totally agree - one of few last competitive skaters to embody what figure skating should be - a mixture of skill, grace and commanding presence capturing your attention immediately. During all these years this feel about Mao never disappears - always a lady on ice, no matter if program is lyrical or more dynamic, dramatic or flirty, always amazing interpretation and engagement presented into performance, always great presence - from costume, make-up, details to expression. For me, regardless if she's on form considering jumps or not, she ALWAYS gets me by her performance, it very rare nowadays - for example 2 FS from ladies competition I only re-watch and remember vividly are Mao's and Anna P. - one successful (Anna's), one maybe not so much in terms of points/technique, but she generated such an impression, such an icon of that program therefore it really made an unique moment. The posture, the presence, all movement, ballerina grace, expression - it's all there when we talk about Mao
Click to expand...

I really like most of your comment and it is beautifully written, but I disagree with your comment “not so much in terms of / technique.” in terms of Mao giving a great performance in the Worlds 2016 LP. There is first of all the great technique she displays in her extended leg sit spin because she is the only skater I have ever seen who holds her boot while squatting below parallel. Her I-spin is also my favorite as a professional dance instructor pointed out when complimenting her for having a frontal extension that was at prima ballerina level. Then, there are her stellar step sequences and change of edge spiral that bring chills to my spine and her seemingly effortless dancing synchronized seamlessly so that it perfectly captures the mood of the music and gives it another dimension of interpretation beyond the music itself, and finally the gorgeous symmetry of her tear shaped Biellmann spiral. This is combined with a series of jumps that no other woman at Worlds did or attempted: the triple axel, the triple flip and loop, the triple flip / double loop / double loop with an aesthetically pleasing tano. Combine all this together and I believe Mao’s freeskate at Worlds 2016 was very successful. As Mao herself said, I am very happy and I skated very well and I really don't care about points.

I also saw a wide array of wonderful qualities in Mao’s jumps some of which you have mentioned: her prima ballerina grace, magnificent flow in and out due her outstanding skating skills with no hunching or pumping to gain excellent speed as demonstrated by her expansive rink coverage and jump placement and her symmetrical air position and a beautiful slight delay in rotation that helps frame many of her jumps, and the light and airy loft that along with her great skating skills gives the sensation of flying and floating. Then, there is a quality I see that is rarely mentioned and that is keeping her legs extended on landing which greatly enhances the beauty of the jump along with her erect posture in the upper body. The people I showed the performance to who had never seen the tech or PCS scores and knew nothing about the tech calls thought her performances was the best artistically and technically and they loved her jumps as well. This is because the performance reached deeply and awoke their sense of beauty and artistry but also because they saw beauty in Mao’s technique. Perhaps, other people have different experiences with the people who they know that saw the performance than mine.

Here are some quotes that remind me of Mao

Talking about Mao giving much more than she gets credit for in scores

Albert Einstein The value of a man or woman should be seen in what he or she gives and not in what he or she is able to receive.

Also Albert Einstein- talking about the "acceptance" of this injustice: Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth.'

About Mao's great artistry

Seth Godin: An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity, and boldness to challenge the status quo.

Patti Smith: I preferred an artist who transformed his time, not mirrored it.

Shah Asad Rizvi About Mao's great dancing: If spirit is the the seed, dance is the water of its evolution.
 
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gotoschool said:
I do feel fortunate yhmafan, but my real reason for going is to see Mao skate live and hopefully her practices. I still have to get an exit visa from work and not forget to bring some blood pressure medicine to stay somewhat calm but that will be impossible.
Click to expand...

I am still feeling exciting for your trip to Finland and the opportunity to watch the competition and her practices :biggrin: also Good luck to your exit visa.
 
gotoschool said:
I really like most of your comment and it is beautifully written, but I disagree with your comment “not so much in terms of / technique.” in terms of Mao giving a great performance in the Worlds 2016 LP. There is first of all the great technique she displays in her extended leg sit spin because she is the only skater I have ever seen who holds her boot while squatting below parallel. Her I-spin is also my favorite as a professional dance instructor pointed out when complimenting her for having a frontal extension that was at prima ballerina level. Then, there are her stellar step sequences and change of edge spiral that bring chills to my spine and her seemingly effortless dancing synchronized seamlessly so that it perfectly captures the mood of the music and gives it another dimension of interpretation beyond the music itself, and finally the gorgeous symmetry of her tear shaped Biellmann spiral. This is combined with a series of jumps that no other woman at Worlds did or attempted: the triple axel, the triple flip and loop, the triple flip / double loop / double loop with an aesthetically pleasing tano. Combine all this together and I believe Mao’s freeskate at Worlds 2016 was very successful. As Mao herself said, I am very happy and I skated very well and I really don't care about points.

I also saw a wide array of wonderful qualities in Mao’s jumps some of which you have mentioned: her prima ballerina grace, magnificent flow in and out due her outstanding skating skills with no hunching or pumping to gain excellent speed as demonstrated by her expansive rink coverage and jump placement and her symmetrical air position and a beautiful slight delay in rotation that helps frame many of her jumps, and the light and airy loft that along with her great skating skills gives the sensation of flying and floating. Then, there is a quality I see that is rarely mentioned and that is keeping her legs extended on landing which greatly enhances the beauty of the jump. The people I showed the performance to who had never seen the tech or PCS scores and knew nothing about the tech calls thought her performances was the best artistically and technically. This is because the performance reached deeply and awoke their sense of beauty and artistry but also because they saw beauty in Mao’s technique. Perhaps, other people have different experiences with the people who they know that saw the performance than mine.

Here are some quotes that remind me of Mao

Talking about Mao giving much more than she gets credit for in scores

Albert Einstein The value of a man or woman should be seen in what he or she gives and not in what he or she is able to receive.

Also Albert Einstein- talking about the "acceptance" of this injustice: Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth.'

About Mao's great artistry

Seth Godin: An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity, and boldness to challenge the status quo.

Patti Smith: I preferred an artist who transformed his time, not mirrored it.

Shah Asad Rizvi About Mao's great dancing: If spirit is the the seed, dance is the water of its evolution.
Click to expand...


I totally agree gotoschool, Mao is faaar more talented and carries so much more skills then she is being credited for. if every skill of her was credited thoughly like spins, spirals, steps and jumps. she would win it hands down, she has the most spin variation, and really difficult ones that require prima ballerina flexibility and the ones she invented herself, she has the best steps in the field, best spirals with many different positions she can hold though the whole arena and with complete control over her edges, her jump ability, she does all kind of jumps and most combinations too, combined with her amazing staminia, makes it hard for me to understand why they hold back with her scores, there is soo much they could reward but is rarely rewarded, but regardless "The value of a man or woman should be seen in what he or she gives and not in what he or she is able to receive"
 
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gotoschool said:
I really like most of your comment and it is beautifully written, but I disagree with your comment “not so much in terms of / technique.” in terms of Mao giving a great performance in the Worlds 2016 LP. There is first of all the great technique she displays in her extended leg sit spin because she is the only skater I have ever seen who holds her boot while squatting below parallel. Her I-spin is also my favorite as a professional dance instructor pointed out when complimenting her for having a frontal extension that was at prima ballerina level. Then, there are her stellar step sequences and change of edge spiral that bring chills to my spine and her seemingly effortless dancing synchronized seamlessly so that it perfectly captures the mood of the music and gives it another dimension of interpretation beyond the music itself, and finally the gorgeous symmetry of her tear shaped Biellmann spiral. This is combined with a series of jumps that no other woman at Worlds did or attempted: the triple axel, the triple flip and loop, the triple flip / double loop / double loop with an aesthetically pleasing tano. Combine all this together and I believe Mao’s freeskate at Worlds 2016 was very successful. As Mao herself said, I am very happy and I skated very well and I really don't care about points.
Click to expand...

gotoshool - let me maybe clarify more about that part you've mentioned - I wrote this remark from perspective of overall tech score received/overall placement of Mao at Worlds. In my own eyes, she has succeeded big time - to come back to competition in such style, still poised for development and giving performances so memorable and deeply artistic. I totally agree about her spins and step sequences - there is something uniquely magical in them, in the way she executes them, there is no rush, just pure energy.

I'm really heartbroken each time she does not succeed with her jumps, but I grew accustomed to her warrior's character and I really understand and admire an approach to challenge herself both technically and artistically, holding nothing back. With performances like hers, it's like watching an actress or a dancer - an art in motion. Yes - many complain about her supposed lack in facial expression, but for me a great performance in female figure skating is not about making faces or waiving your hands (like recent 'top' standard states...) - it's about taking the best from music, choreography created, your technique, experience, maturity and emotions and mixing it all. In my opinion Mao has ALWAYS her expression on point and her range in emoting/projecting various styles is enormous and unique.
 
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