Mao Asada | Page 36 | Golden Skate

Mao Asada

Here are some more beautiful photos of Mao dressed as a slim, feminine Santa that linglang posted at Mao Asada forum. Thanks to linglang.
According to linglang, this is the decoration of the Lotte Chocolate Christmas Tree." She also said that Mao had a more positive view towards figure skating after taking several months off.

Her translation of the article at nikkan sports is here: http://www.maoasadaforum.com/t1282p555-mao-post-sochi-news-and-articles#68098

http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/50/91/70/20461214.jpg

http://www.servimg.com/view/16509170/228

http://www.servimg.com/view/16509170/230

http://www.servimg.com/view/16509170/228

http://www.servimg.com/view/16509170/232

http://www.servimg.com/view/16509170/233
 
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gotoschool said:
Thanks for the beautiful photo of Mao, figureskatobasan. That's the first yellow teddy bear I have seen. Hopefully, there will be some videos of her upcoming ice show.
Click to expand...

oh, it's actually a koala ;) it's the charcter of one of the product from Lotte. but Mao's beautiful nonetheless :)
 
this is to @gotoschool, the thread about Mao's best performance and your comments on other thread talking about balletic quality (such as symmetric posture, arm movement etc.) leads me to re-watch her swan lake program. I always like true ballerina on ice, no matter how avant garde figure skating choreo could be. And I think her swan-lake really is one of her signature piece, speaking of ballerina on ice.
and this is her best swan lake performance IMO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuqhR03-iQ0
and among current senior skaters, the closest to a true ballerina or (Mao's swan lake) is actually SoYoun, I know she is Korean, but if we could put aside all that nationalism hatred, just focus on skating itself, it is not that hard to find the resemblance in their style.
this is SoYoun's the swan SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRJogJ25jVk
their balletic posture and especially arms are so similar, look at their balletic arms even in their camel spins.
and this is SoYoun's gala
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a6-RV3zz2M
her balletic style is even more refined in this particular performance.
I hope you enjoy what I posted here:)
 
yyyskate said:
this is to @gotoschool, the thread about Mao's best performance and your comments on other thread talking about balletic quality (such as symmetric posture, arm movement etc.) leads me to re-watch her swan lake program. I always like true ballerina on ice, no matter how avant garde figure skating choreo could be. And I think her swan-lake really is one of her signature piece, speaking of ballerina on ice.
and this is her best swan lake performance IMO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuqhR03-iQ0
and among current senior skaters, the closest to a true ballerina or (Mao's swan lake) is actually SoYoun, I know she is Korean, but if we could put aside all that nationalism hatred, just focus on skating itself, it is not that hard to find the resemblance in their style.
this is SoYoun's the swan SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRJogJ25jVk
their balletic posture and especially arms are so similar, look at their balletic arms even in their camel spins.
and this is SoYoun's gala
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a6-RV3zz2M
her balletic style is even more refined in this particular performance.
I hope you enjoy what I posted here:)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the videos and the comparison. It's funny that you mention SoYoun in comparison to Mao because I think SoYoun is developing a subtle form of expression and unobtrusive beauty (the meaning of Shibumi) that is similar to the type that Mao perfected but that Mao over time also developed the ability to explode into a more extroverted form of expression, as evidenced in her step sequences. I think Mao is the consummate ballerina on Ice, but it's nice to see SoYoun balletic movements developing too. I enjoyed the videos you posted, SoYoun has really nice, fluid arm movements and jumps and is developing nice balletic lines and a good Biellman. As you know, I thought SoYoun gave the best performance in the freeskate at Skate America this season and left a message at her thread saying so. Like Mao's scores, I often think SoYoun is scored too low, especially in PCS.

I really like Mao's Swann Lake. I like the one at the Grand Prix Final, the one at 4CCs but my favorite one is at Worlds at 2013 because she went for the triple axel and because she skated with a lot of energy, passion and subtlety of expression in that program. I also like the fact that she had back pain during this performance and battled through to be so engaging. I love the way she did the poignant expression with her face and wave like motion with her arms down at her side like a swan in the water spreading her wings smoothly and gently about to take flight at 2:35. I also think her jumps here have a bit more height, flow and beauty in the rotation and that this is the most enchanting version of her step sequence as she prances to the finish with a grin on her face.

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

I appreciate your considerate and thoughtful post and hope you come back to this thread more often.
 
thanks ioanap for the video

it looks like they film the proses making of the collab program
hope they will air all this in 29

so tomorrow can we at leas get a fancam
ah buts it is in japan eh
 
gotoschool said:
Thanks for the videos and the comparison. It's funny that you mention SoYoun in comparison to Mao because I think SoYoun is developing a subtle form of expression and unobtrusive beauty (the meaning of Shibumi) that is similar to the type that Mao perfected but that Mao over time also developed the ability to explode into a more extroverted form of expression, as evidenced in her step sequences. I think Mao is the consummate ballerina on Ice, but it's nice to see SoYoun balletic movements developing too. I enjoyed the videos you posted, SoYoun has really nice, fluid arm movements and jumps and is developing nice balletic lines and a good Biellman. As you know, I thought SoYoun gave the best performance in the freeskate at Skate America this season and left a message at her thread saying so. Like Mao's scores, I often think SoYoun is scored too low, especially in PCS.

I really like Mao's Swann Lake. I like the one at the Grand Prix Final, the one at 4CCs but my favorite one is at Worlds at 2013 because she went for the triple axel and because she skated with a lot of energy, passion and subtlety of expression in that program. I also like the fact that she had back pain during this performance and battled through to be so engaging. I love the way she did the poignant expression with her face and wave like motion with her arms down at her side like a swan in the water spreading her wings smoothly and gently about to take flight at 2:35. I also think her jumps here have a bit more height, flow and beauty in the rotation and that this is the most enchanting version of her step sequence as she prances to the finish with a grin on her face.

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

I appreciate your considerate and thoughtful post and hope you come back to this thread more often.
Click to expand...
Yes "shibumi". I kinda get this word after google it, but perhaps only a Japanese can truly understand it, but "unobtrusive beauty" is characteristic oriental, and nice to be seen on figure skating performances as well.
that extrovert expression you are talking about is something also very unique to Mao (kina Japanese too), that is also fully exhibited in her "bell" program, lots of people dont like that program, but I think it is a very special (or you could not imagine any other people to replicate this, and that for me is precious).
Another similarity I wanna point out is ,how they carry themselves (balletic posture and arms)all the way through, such as their cross-overs and even in spins (as I mentioned before). and choreographically, combines figure skating turns with upper body, balletic arms and carriage, this is very prominent in Mao's swan Lake and SoYoun's R&J program, and I think it is really good choreo, and respect for ballet as a dance form. it is much better than just 1 or 2 balletic pose.

I was actually trying to find the best version of Mao's "swan lake", eventually went with GPF, i like the costume better. but honestly, it is not perfect either. Now that I have watched the Worlds version again, it is indeed the best performance wise. The choreo at 2:35 is pure gold. Honestly, Mao's swan lake choreo is one of my fav. the combination of balletic moves and her strength in step sequence in the final part is pure genius. I wish SoYoun could have that kinda "core strength" someday.
To appreciate this kinda beauty, people needs focus and patience......
I always visit Mao's thread once in a while, especially about her programs, but since I am a Yuna fan, I don't tend to comment. but I will gush when I see something great. And it is nice to read your eloquent posts about skaters and their programs.:)
 
bebece said:
thanks ioanap for the video

it looks like they film the proses making of the collab program
hope they will air all this in 29

so tomorrow can we at leas get a fancam
ah buts it is in japan eh
Click to expand...

We probably only will get a short video of the news :scowl:, but it is better than nothing
 
Thanks ioanap and bebece for the posts. I look forward to seeing the program. Won't Mao also be doing a solo performance?
 
Than you. This will be epic. I wonder how they managed to get two headliners to be on the same show. For what I undarstand this show is by Dai's management. I think it speaks about their frienship to be able to share the spotlight together.
 
yyyskate said:
Yes "shibumi". I kinda get this word after google it, but perhaps only a Japanese can truly understand it, but "unobtrusive beauty" is characteristic oriental, and nice to be seen on figure skating performances as well.
that extrovert expression you are talking about is something also very unique to Mao (kina Japanese too), that is also fully exhibited in her "bell" program, lots of people dont like that program, but I think it is a very special (or you could not imagine any other people to replicate this, and that for me is precious).
Another similarity I wanna point out is ,how they carry themselves (balletic posture and arms)all the way through, such as their cross-overs and even in spins (as I mentioned before). and choreographically, combines figure skating turns with upper body, balletic arms and carriage, this is very prominent in Mao's swan Lake and SoYoun's R&J program, and I think it is really good choreo, and respect for ballet as a dance form. it is much better than just 1 or 2 balletic pose.

I was actually trying to find the best version of Mao's "swan lake", eventually went with GPF, i like the costume better. but honestly, it is not perfect either. Now that I have watched the Worlds version again, it is indeed the best performance wise. The choreo at 2:35 is pure gold. Honestly, Mao's swan lake choreo is one of my fav. the combination of balletic moves and her strength in step sequence in the final part is pure genius. I wish SoYoun could have that kinda "core strength" someday.
To appreciate this kinda beauty, people needs focus and patience......
I always visit Mao's thread once in a while, especially about her programs, but since I am a Yuna fan, I don't tend to comment. but I will gush when I see something great. And it is nice to read your eloquent posts about skaters and their programs.:)
Click to expand...

I don't know the true meaning of Shibumi any more than what I read in the online dictionary definition. Could a Japanese speaker please give us a more detailed description of its meaning?

I am always impressed when someone like you who is a really big fan of one skater can make complimentary comments about another skater who is a main competitor. I hope I was able to help your appreciate Mao's Swan Lake more. I think it is one of her most underrated performances, mainly because she went for an 8 triple program, but missed a triple and two footed the triple axel. But, once she "gets into" the Worlds performance, it is one of her best. My dream is that some day Mao will be able to skate an 8 triple Swan Lake. That may be as great as her Sochi LP.

I wish SoYoun the best at Worlds and at 4CC's. She is a beautiful skater.
 
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