Mao Asada

[gotoschool]

Am I the only one who feel a bit of relief that Mao takes a break this season? I no longer feel emotionally involved in PCS fiasco and it's like the first time I discovered FS, I just cheer for everyone and enjoy what they deliver.

It's kind of a double edged sword for me. I'ts gut wrenching to see Mao get called for bogus urs, as you said to get the short end of the stick in PCS, or to see her fall, but the flavor of the SPs and freeskates this season is blander and there's nothing I feel I can savor forever. That said I have discovered a wider range of skaters this season because I am not concentrating on Mao, and I am surprised that there are some I really like in Juniors and Seniors. Selfishly, I still want her to come back, though I get so awfully nervous watching her live during competition. I'm convinced she will always be my favorite.

Here is her 2005 Grand Prix Final FS one better copy in Japanese

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS0RqdrP2b8

The other in English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oc1jxgLD6o

 

[gotoschool]

I found several videos of Mao in Young Japan Action.

In the first, soft spoken Mao is yelling at the top of her lungs, while someone bangs on a drum and a group of men chant loudly around her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMjDQqf3mLU

Here she has a birthday cake brought out by the same young men.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdScKcFWyxU

In the next pair of videos, she is sitting around a large table talking and laughing with some fellow students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTZBq3tOSjw

And here is another one with the same students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4RphViY9zI

 

[mary01]

I found several videos of Mao in Young Japan Action.

In the first, soft spoken Mao is yelling at the top of her lungs, while someone bangs on a drum and a group of men chant loudly around her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMjDQqf3mLU

Here she has a birthday cake brought out by the same young men.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdScKcFWyxU

In the next pair of videos, she is sitting around a large table talking and laughing with some fellow students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTZBq3tOSjw

And here is another one with the same students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4RphViY9zI

love the last two clips, seems like Mao is busy, even when she is taking a break from competition. Hopefully we will get to see more clips soon.

 

[bebece]

few days ago when i see mao post in tumblr especially her Kerrigan spiral
it makes me things, what if all this strict rule and requirement for level to achieve,
thas makes program to packed and point oriented thus lack of freedome
makes us deprive a whole new moves that's original

Kerrigan spiral or Beillman spin was base on skater name

can u imagine a movement that has mao name attach to it

 

[Sandpiper]

Mao might not have a move she invented with her name attached, but imo quite a few of her moves are iconic: her triple axel, her one-handed Biellmann spin, and her incredible footwork.

 

[minze]

Am I the only one who feel a bit of relief that Mao takes a break this season? I no longer feel emotionally involved in PCS fiasco and it's like the first time I discovered FS, I just cheer for everyone and enjoy what they deliver.

I agree but I miss her. There is no point in waking up early to watch competions withou her. Conflicted part if me wants her to retire to have a life, but part of me wants her back

 

[gotoschool]

Here is a short interview with Mao about the Olympics and her future goals with subtitles in English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxTqIIzyWeg

I think it is a recent interview. She looks really lovely and classy in that dressy suit coat, collar and bow.

 

[figureskateobasan]

Mao attended the 10th anniversary event of Airweave yesterday.
She looks stunning

http://www.asahi.com/and_M/information/SDI2014111197371.html

 

[minze]

Here is a short interview with Mao about the Olympics and her future goals with subtitles in English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxTqIIzyWeg

I think it is a recent interview. She looks really lovely and classy in that dressy suit coat, collar and bow.

She is wearing team Japan uniform

 

[minze]

Mao attended the 10th anniversary event of Airweave yesterday.
She looks stunning

http://www.asahi.com/and_M/information/SDI2014111197371.html

She looks stunning. She is a fashionista without trying too hard. You noticed she isbusing higher heels now that she is not competing

 

[gotoschool]

She is wearing team Japan uniform

Thanks for pointing that out. She is just dressed more feminine in the short interview clip with the pink shirt and bow than in this longer interview posted here, though she looks wonderful in both:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaiCo_i_cCI


Speaking of Nocturne, I found a beautiful copy of Mao's performance at Skate America 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTeOx3ZCrs8

I love her expressions and reaction in the K&C.

 

[Franklin99]

After reading this article: http://311mi.tumblr.com/post/102504523528/japan-skating-federation-pushing-hanyu-no-regrets-on this part in particular:


A person had revealed that Hanyu had not finished the training schedule that his coach, Brian Orser, had designed for him before he competed at the Cup of China. “The Japan Skating Federation disregarded the training regime that Brian had designed for Hanyu, and had insisted on the latter partake in more than 50 ice shows during the off-season that was originally intended for rest. The slot left by Mao Asada and Daisuke Takahashi’s retirement/break was filled in by Hanyu.” The Japan Skating Federation has used Hanyu as their new money making tree, and had hopes that he would save figure skating from the market crisis. As a result, Hanyu had to momentarily leave his training in Canada to return to Japan for ice shows. Brian Orser was extremely unpleased, and had protested that “If you push him to this extent, there’s a high chance that you’ll destroy his figure skating life!” Towards this, the Japan Skating Federation responded saying that “We understand the coach’s earnest,” but did not try and minimize Hanyu’s appearances in the ice shows. 

But why did he have to attend countless of ice shows? The well-mannered Hanyu had said that it was “To repay each and every fan for their support”, but in reality, this has resulted in him not having enough training time. “He actually finds this very troubling as well.” A ticket for an ice show is worth an estimated ¥10,000 JPY, which is equivalent to around ¥530 RMB ($87 USD). A single ice show’s total earnings from ticket revenue can sum up to a shocking ¥280,000,000 JPY, which is equivalent to about ¥14,840,000 RMB ($2,422,382 USD). “Endorsement and performance earnings are split so that the JSF gets 70% of the total earnings. However, because the broker operators also require a portion, the skater is left with a mere 10%.” 



I hope Mao leaves competitive skating for good. I can't handle her, Dai, and Hanyu (the top 3 JSF moneymakers) doing all of these ice shows/endorsements for a measly 10%, while JSF makes 70% off of their hard work. I'm still so upset an hour after reading this article. :disapp:

What do you guys think Mao should do? And what's her best option to both continue doing shows for her fans, and collect the majority of her earnings (50% or more)?

 

[bebece]

actually i am not to shock bout the article above
in maoasadafanforum, this matter have been discuss at early of her retirement announcement
that mao may not be that well off as mao should be, (base on her endorsement n activity in public)

but yuzuru not part of IMG right?

but what about a retired skater
like sizuka arakawa or takeshi honda does this kind of problem still follow their pro skater life?

 

[minze]

After reading this article: http://311mi.tumblr.com/post/102504523528/japan-skating-federation-pushing-hanyu-no-regrets-on this part in particular:


A person had revealed that Hanyu had not finished the training schedule that his coach, Brian Orser, had designed for him before he competed at the Cup of China. “The Japan Skating Federation disregarded the training regime that Brian had designed for Hanyu, and had insisted on the latter partake in more than 50 ice shows during the off-season that was originally intended for rest. The slot left by Mao Asada and Daisuke Takahashi’s retirement/break was filled in by Hanyu.” The Japan Skating Federation has used Hanyu as their new money making tree, and had hopes that he would save figure skating from the market crisis. As a result, Hanyu had to momentarily leave his training in Canada to return to Japan for ice shows. Brian Orser was extremely unpleased, and had protested that “If you push him to this extent, there’s a high chance that you’ll destroy his figure skating life!” Towards this, the Japan Skating Federation responded saying that “We understand the coach’s earnest,” but did not try and minimize Hanyu’s appearances in the ice shows. 

But why did he have to attend countless of ice shows? The well-mannered Hanyu had said that it was “To repay each and every fan for their support”, but in reality, this has resulted in him not having enough training time. “He actually finds this very troubling as well.” A ticket for an ice show is worth an estimated ¥10,000 JPY, which is equivalent to around ¥530 RMB ($87 USD). A single ice show’s total earnings from ticket revenue can sum up to a shocking ¥280,000,000 JPY, which is equivalent to about ¥14,840,000 RMB ($2,422,382 USD). “Endorsement and performance earnings are split so that the JSF gets 70% of the total earnings. However, because the broker operators also require a portion, the skater is left with a mere 10%.” 



I hope Mao leaves competitive skating for good. I can't handle her, Dai, and Hanyu (the top 3 JSF moneymakers) doing all of these ice shows/endorsements for a measly 10%, while JSF makes 70% off of their hard work. I'm still so upset an hour after reading this article. :disapp:

What do you guys think Mao should do? And what's her best option to both continue doing shows for her fans, and collect the majority of her earnings (50% or more)?

That is a crime. They only get 10%.

 

[gotoschool]

Really informative post Franklin. I have read about Mao getting as little as 5 percent from her shows on Mao Asada Forum. But, I have also read that she gets much more than 10 percent in other places, so I don't know which is correct. Sadly, I have to say I agree that it is better for her to retire because I feel that she is not repaid for what she does for the federation because they seem to be powerless in helping her get the scores she deserves.

Why should Mao give to the federation when her historic 8 triple program with level 4 steps and spins, which received high praise as the performance of the Olympic champion from French and Russian TV, barely gets her 3rd place with their "help." Then, the precedent of scoring that is set guarantees that her "status" will remain lower in the future just as her "lower status" after Vancouver (with a Korean and no Japanese judge in the LP ) caused her to get low scores in Worlds 2010 because of harsh ur calls, which were openly criticized by Eurosport commentators several times.

Where was the powerful federation to help her get the scores she deserved then or in her 2014 LP in Japan? Even here in her home country, her LP score was scaled down by suspect urs, causing her to lose more than 7 points on her 3A and 3F/3L alone to make her deflated Sochi score appear legitimate. To display their appreciation for Mao's huge financial compensation, the week before the Olympics the federation cut expenses by sending her to an unfamiliar country, Armenia, to train in a sandy rink far away from the superior training facilities and comforts of home in Japan. Then, the night before the most important performance of her life the Ex Prime Minister publicly insults her. This is not what I would call red carpet treatment from the powers that be.

I just don't see why she should hand over her hard earned money to them when she can do lucrative shows on her own and not be under the microscope for reputational ur calls, when many of them don't exist to my eyes (like 2013 Grand Prix Final triple axel in SP, Worlds 2014 3A and 3F / 3L, 2012 3A in 2013 4CC's LP, or the triple axels in 2010 Worlds) to name just a few. Compare this to the generous calls given to other skaters in the Sochi Olympics for instance.

I will miss her dearly though if she does retire.

 

[hb2010]

After reading this article: http://311mi.tumblr.com/post/102504523528/japan-skating-federation-pushing-hanyu-no-regrets-on

I don't trust the original article written in Chinese at all.
I've never seen any Japanese articles mentioned about such ridiculous numbers :sarcasm:

 

[jkun]

I was just watching her performances, old and new, after reading through Tuktamysheva's interview about her 3A. Liza mentioned Mao in her interview saying how Mao brakes very significantly on her 3A allowing her to get a significant amount of pre-rotation and how when she does it it is more difficult, because she goes off an edge. I noticed that even her 3A technique changed pre and post-Vancouver. I definitely agree with Liza about her pre-Vancouver 3As but her most recent 3A in the 2013/2014 years, I think, don't incorporate the braking technique anymore. Her jump definitely seems much more powerful than her old 3As. It is something I will miss .

 

[Ayeshoo]

My question is, how much actually is that 10%? As for the top skaters in Japan like Mao, Hanyu etc, don't they also get earnings from other commercials/endorsements? Do they also give a portion of that to JSF?

 

[gotoschool]

Here is a beautiful HD copy of Mao's Caprice and her dramatic and dexterous Bells of Moscow step sequence with the slide stepping mask like pose and one handed Biellmann at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41mdvXnGiSE

And an HD copy of Swan Lake from the Grand Prix Final:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW2xNTjHvRc


In honor of Mao being the most tweeted athlete at Sochi, here is a long list of tweets from Mao's Sochi LP Performance from people all over the world. A trip down memory lane:

tweets http://seen.co/event/the-sochi-2014-winter-olympics---feb.-20-sochi-russia-2014-5567/highlight/3174

Maybe all of you already know about this site, but I was amazed at how many pictures and comments about Mao are here. It keeps updating based on new results:

http://www.tumblr.com/search/mao asada#

 

[mary01]

My question is, how much actually is that 10%? As for the top skaters in Japan like Mao, Hanyu etc, don't they also get earnings from other commercials/endorsements? Do they also give a portion of that to JSF?

There have been many articles that claimed Mao earned this and that much, but no one knows which one is true. I don't know who to trust but one thing is for sure the JSF seems to get a big share, a WAY too big share if you ask me. what I find mindbobling is that Mao may earn 10 times as much as now if she decides to retire, that means that as an retired skater she will be much much wealthier then as a top athlete? now that is really puzzling to think about.