Mao Asada | Page 132 | Golden Skate

Mao Asada

Can we talk about (more like celebrate :yahoo:) how (VERY) successful Mao has been with her 3A in competition since she came back? Let's not count NHK, she was very sick there and had no business even attempting any 3As.

Her 3A has been looking better than ever! Especially the one in the COC free skate :)
 
After Sochi (and world title) I was almost sure she is going to retire and this made me feel really sad. I started watching figure skating in 2005 at europeans. At that time I heard a 15 years old girl had beaten Slutskaya at the GPF (which wasn't on tv in my country at that time). It's been 10 years of watching figure skating (which is actually half of my age..) and Mao has always been there. After the olympic games, the skaters I loved and grew up with retired (Tessa/Scott, Meryl/Charlie, Mao and Yuna) so... I was very happy to hear that Mao is back.
I guess I just enjoy seeing her skating. No matter how many jumps she underrotates or pops:agree2:
 
I am so proud of Mao. Of late, I am starting to feel that I don't just admire and adore her skills and grace on the ice, but that I get her as an athlete and as a person. I've decided that I'm just gonna let her do what her heart wants and strive toward whatever goal she's set for herself. Pop as many lutzes as she has to on her way there, it's all fine by me.
 
Great job today, Mao! I like this program now. When I first saw it, it felt empty, but now it's just so fun and beautiful at the same time. Her 3A was beautiful and she sold that step sequence. I'm really excited to see Mao tomorrow!.:cheer2:
 
Her step sequence in the SP always makes me smile :luv17: I'll be watching the Ladies SP in Boston and I can't wait for her to light up the stadium with it!

Also, is it true that her SP dress color changed? It looks different in the videos. I liked the other one :P
 
Great job today, Mao! I like this program now. When I first saw it, it felt empty, but now it's just so fun and beautiful at the same time. Her 3A was beautiful and she sold that step sequence. I'm really excited to see Mao tomorrow!.:cheer2:

I'm glad you're finally on board. I've loved her SP since day one at COC. That performance was pure magic. And as far as I'm concerned, she had no UR or Edge issue on her jumps. It all just flow seamlessly from one element to the next. I really think she should have been scored no less than 74+ at COC (And 80 if there were no UR and (e) calls).
 
I just posted this fancam video of Mao's performance in the Ladies' SP thread.

Good quality and camera angle, and captures the mood in the audience quite well. What I love is the kiss & cry footage. You can see Mao obviously grimacing when the screen replayed her popping the lutz :laugh:
 
All the best for Mao tomorrow in the LP. May she come out with a fierce commitment to the jumps and a beautiful subtlety of expression that springs forth naturally from her genuine spirit.
 
I think in all of her SP performances this season, she is fastest here and there's more power. Too bad for popped lutz but still a very good performance and I enjoy it. To hell I care with popped lutz and UR, as long as she wants to pursue that layout, I still give my whole support. She already proved already what Mao can do in the past seasons with several rule changes, so I know she can nail triple lutz in the near future. And Im just happy that she is back in the competition because she wants to, not because she is forced to do it. At this stage, its a bonus to see her compete so I will enjoy these moments.
 
I think she was tense because the lutz all the program but even a great performance, I hope she can relax tomorrow.
 
I think she was tense because the lutz all the program but even a great performance, I hope she can relax tomorrow.

Yes, she noticeably slowed down, and then lost her concentration due to overthinking the edge turn. She was doing that a lot during practice, which is why I wanted her to temporarily switch her 3Lz with a 3S until her Lutz edge becomes more stable.
 
You can see Mao obviously grimacing when the screen replayed her popping the lutz :laugh:

:laugh: Her look of utter displeasure! Mao is so Mao.

Remember the season Mao started on working on her flip? She popped every single attempt until she landed a clean one at Japan Nationals. The lutz might take that long, or even longer. Can't wait to see her expression when she lands it.
 
Last edited:
:laugh: Her look of utter displeasure! Mao is so Mao.

Remember the season Mao started on working on her flip? She popped every single attempt until she landed a clean one at Japan Nationals. The lutz might take that long, or even longer. Can't wait to see her expression when she lands it.

yeah she continued until she mastered the new tecnique on the flip a few seasons ago and she will do the same with the 3lz, she is a perfectionist, and chooses to face and overcome her weakness instead of hiding them, and I love that about her, she truly is a great role model

With a jump arsenal like hers, not many would take the hard road, but I greatly believe that it will pay of in the end, and she will show us greater things in the future!
 
Last edited:
Back
Top