Mao Asada

[Franklin99]

Thank you so much for sharing your pictures of Mao, YesWay. Wow, you can see a major difference in her appearance between the Thursday/Friday practice pics, and the Saturday pics when she was very ill.

 

[Barb]

I have uploaded some photos I took of Mao at the Grand Prix final --> HERE

What a priviledge to see her skating in person, once again. Despite being unwell, and not at her best - she was still breathtakingly beautiful, elegant and graceful - more so than any other skater there, but of course that's no surprise. In my opinion, she's now the only ladies skater who cmbines such speed, skill and power... with mature sophistication, grace, elegance, subtlety etc.

And of course, the many triple axels we saw in practice and competition were magnificent - such a huge jump, uniquely impressive and beautiful. Still unmatched after all this time.

I hope you all like the photos.

Thanks for the excellent pictures. Mao looks so beautiful!!

 

[yhmafan]

I have uploaded some photos I took of Mao at the Grand Prix final --> HERE

What a priviledge to see her skating in person, once again. Despite being unwell, and not at her best - she was still breathtakingly beautiful, elegant and graceful - more so than any other skater there, but of course that's no surprise. In my opinion, she's now the only ladies skater who cmbines such speed, skill and power... with mature sophistication, grace, elegance, subtlety etc.

And of course, the many triple axels we saw in practice and competition were magnificent - such a huge jump, uniquely impressive and beautiful. Still unmatched after all this time.

I hope you all like the photos.

Thank you, YesWay and I thought again that she looks really beautiful in pastel colors. :luv17:

 

[nolangoh]

Hi guys I wanna ask a question: Whose choreography , Tatiana's or Lori's, you think suits Mao better and Mao feels more comfortable with? I would say both suit Mao but I kinda feel she is more comfortable with Lori's. What do you think?

 

[gotoschool]

Hi guys I wanna ask a question: Whose choreography , Tatiana's or Lori's, you think suits Mao better and Mao feels more comfortable with? I would say both suit Mao but I kinda feel she is more comfortable with Lori's. What do you think?

I think Mao feels more comfortable with Lori's especially when it is upbeat- like in "I Got Rhythm," in the SP this season, or in exhibitions like "Smile" and Mary Poppins or when it is ethereal, like in Nocturne (my favorite SP) or memorial like in Jupiter. However, I think Mao's programs by Tatianna help her stretch out into dramatic forms of expression that have epic grandeur, like my two favorite programs ever: Mao's Bells of Moscow at Worlds 2010 and Mao's Rach II at Sochi, which Mao may not be comfortable with at first but gradually grows to embrace fully. It is Mao's combination of so many contrasting qualities and emotions in these programs that makes me love them so much including: expressive power, vulnerability, elegance, melancholy, desperation, defiance and redemption. I do think Tatianna's exhibitions fit Mao's natural temperament, especially Caprice and Por Una Cabeza, which are my two favorite exhibitions.

I really love Madame Butterfly and Mao's depth of expression in the program, but I sense this is a little out of Mao's comfort zone.

Whatever difficulties Mao has had in skating while ill at NHK and the Grand Prix Final, the only time Mao was healthy in a performance the last two competitions she was outstanding: her fabulous SP in the Grand Prix Final SP, except for that lutz, which I dearly wish she would replace with a triple salchow or triple toe. It had smooth speed, elegance, sophistication, a slow sensuous interlude and a big high kicking climax with sinuous steps that flowed with sharp rhythmic precision like blades cutting liquid butter. Then, there is Mao's supreme femininity and subtlety all with the power of a triple axel, a triple flip and loop, donut spins and Biellmann variations. When will a woman ever put all this into a performance again?

I just hope that Mao's health gets better quickly and that she can be healthy for both programs at Nationals. I want to see a big smile on her face like she had at the end of her Cup of China SP and the look of satisfaction she had after her LP at the Japan Open.

 

[demarinis5]

Thank you YesWay for the gorgeous photos of Mao! You really captured the essence of her beauty!

Wishing Mao the best of luck at her Nationals and fingers crossed that she will have 2 good skates and
be satisfied with her performance, I know I will be!

 

[daphenaxa]

To be honest, I am not sure about who's choreography she feels more comfortable with. That is true Tatiana's competitive programs are very grandiose and dramatic which are not the programs Mao is most naturally inclined to, but I feel the results are still the best. She won two of her world titles with Tarasova's LP choreography and those are those that stick out the most for me. Like her signature programs. It is true also as gotoschool said that Caprice and Por una cabeza are two of Mao most gorgeous and enticing exhibitions she had, where she could let her more cheeky and sensual side out. (Lori did that with her new SP but Mao is a lot more mature now, so I also feel it is due to herself this year).
One thing that is sure though is that both choreographers are really inspired by Mao because every time they come with really beautiful, interesting and intricate programs. I usually dislike anything that Lori choreographs but anytime she does a program for Mao it is a big win. I mean Madame Butterfly or Chopin two year ago are really masterpieces. As for Tarasova, her programs are not always the more IJS friendly or the most compealing, but same when she choreographed for Mao it was always a hit (for me).
Then again I am very heavily biased as I suspect that Mao could even make a David Wilson program enjoyable for me!!!

 

[Franklin99]

For me, Lori's choreography suits Mao's natural balletic style, while Tarasova produce more challenging choreography for Mao. Both are very good for Mao, but being that we know how much Mao loves to challenge herself, and strive to overcome any hurdle in her path, Tatiana's choreography is the overall better fit.

Tatiana's "Fantasia for Violin and Orchestra" program is my #1 all time favorite Mao program. And it is the most underated, underscored, unappreciated program ever!!

 

[gotoschool]

For me, Lori's choreography suits Mao's natural balletic style, while Tarasova produce more challenging choreography for Mao. Both are very good for Mao, but being that we know how much Mao loves to challenge herself, and strive to overcome any hurdle in her path, Tatiana's choreography is the overall better fit.

Tatiana's "Fantasia for Violin and Orchestra" program is my #1 all time favorite Mao program. And it is the most underated, underscored, unappreciated program ever!!

I love the 40 second step sequence in "Fantasia for Violin:" a quintessential expression of ballet on skates. I also love the expressiveness of Mao's flowing arms on exit to her jumps and the smooth, swooping lunges into the extended leg sit spins with her hands held all the way out to embrace her boots. Mao's deflated score of 64 at Worlds 2008 is a crying shame and another reason why it is so weepingly beautiful just like the whine of the violins.

 

[randomfan]

Mao seems to be very calm as a person. In many interviews, she seems to talk softly and quietly. That matched her former main skating style of lyrical music. But I think Tatiana Tarasova helped her try new styles with the more dramatic choreography. The result is that Mao can perform both a lyrical piece and a dramatic piece flawlessly. They say that people should sometimes "go out of their comfort zones" and thanks to Tatiana, Mao does not have to restrict herself to only lyrical pieces - what I mean by this is that her style of skating is not limited to just one style, but to multiple diverse styles, allowing her to sell any type of program.

The Bells of Moscow is a very powerful piece and even though the program seemed challenging, Mao just sold it incredibly. Her skating was absolutely amazing (and phenomenal footwork as well). That and Mao's Rach 2 are two pieces requiring rapid movements and stamina yet she never backed down - ever. Some skaters struggle with dramatic music because of stamina issues, but not Mao. She goes all the way to the end. And IMO, this is thanks to the training and choreography that Tatiana had for her.

It would be awesome if she decided to have one program done by Tarasova and one program done by Lori Nichol for each season, because we can always see two unique and beautiful sides of Mao in a single competition. But I'm already really happy with what she is doing already. Her current SP is upbeat and fun, while her LP is graceful and beautiful. Nationals is this week, right? I wish Mao all the best!

 

[yhmafan]

Merry Christmas to all (×) and the best of luck to Mao

 

[gotoschool]

He is an outstanding fancam of Mao's SP at the Grand Prix Final. This is such a great performance except for that lutz. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ir0dw_浅田真央-mao-asada-gpf-2015-sp-素敵なあなた-観客席ver_sport

Maybe it has already been posted.

CONK at maoasadaforum posted this article saying that Mao'sr SP layout will change to 3A, 3F2L, 3L

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20151224-00000083-dal-spo

Here is a short clip of Mao's practice sessions for Nationals. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3j9ugb_20151224-ma-非公式練習_sport

Here is a short clip about her upcoming performance of the Jupiter exhibition on January 9 for those affected by the 3/ 11 earthquake . http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3j4x1y_20151223-ma-スペシャルex-番宣_sport

Here is a longer clip with both Mao and Hanyu: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3j4xh5_1223-sp-ex-1min-5min_sport

I am sure the difficulties Mao has faced recently will help her to give a truly stirring performance.

I can't imagine what a challenging time Mao has been through skating ill at the last two competitions without even mentioning it in the face of network criticism from obtuse commentators oblivious to her poor health condition since they refused to look closely or try to find out, except for CBC which discussed it at the NHK. And then after all this, Mao must come back so soon to compete at Nationals. It must take an iron will and so much perseverance. I definitely think she should have been placed higher at the Grand Prix Final as well. All the best at Nationals, Mao. Here's hoping that here at Christmas time you are finally blessed with good health and back to back great skates. Don't worry about proving anything, you have done that already. I will always love your skating the most. Just relax and focus on the rhythm and timing of your performances. Only those who have plunged into the deepest valley can ever know the transcendence of soaring to the highest peak as you did, Mao, in the Sochi LP, a performance the likes of which I get the sense I will see from you again. It's just a question of when. Though when you go, I know I won't.

post by rosewood : Mao said she was mentally down after NHK but she recovered already and her form is fine now. She aims at closing this year with two good skates in Nationals.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20151224/k10010351881000.html

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/ind...er-beauty-is-her-biggest-weapon.95911/page-19 post 554

post by CONK: It is reported that Mao landed 3A successfully (in practice). Mao says: 'During GPF there was depressed feeling. But now it feels not bad. She wants to strive through (the competition) till the very last moment.

Adding III: still in the news -
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20151224-00000083-dal-spo

 

[nolangoh]

in addition, Mao will be the 25th skater to skate, the first of the last group.

I suppose it is a good order for her? cuz she always skates well as the first of the group. Best of luck!!!

 

[paperhearts]

Good luck Mao for Japanese Nationals! I hope she has the performance she wants to give and it continues up to Worlds. Any chance she'll be doing 4CC this season?

Re: the discussion on Mao and her 2 main choreographers, I love heavy and dramatic programs so I'm more in favor of Tat's works for Mao (though Lori's works for Mao are lovely) and it spurred me to do a little tribute to some of Mao's works with Tat as a sort of send-off for Japan Nats! Sending good vibes to her and to the rest of the ladies, hopefully she gets momentum going into Worlds (crosses fingers!).

 

[gotoschool]

I hope Mao will relax and give wonderful performances that bring a bright smile to her face in her SP and LP at the Japanese Championships.

 

[petitebrie]

Maybe this is old news to everyone else, but I just noticed that Mao in 2002 is wearing the same dress as Midori Ito in 1996! Would love to know if there's a story, there.

 

[Franklin99]

Maybe this is old news to everyone else, but I just noticed that Mao in 2002 is wearing the same dress as Midori Ito in 1996! Would love to know if there's a story, there.

2002 was also the year Mao started landing 3As, and she was being coached by Midori's old coach as well. She was also wearing Midori's dress during her 2004-2005 junior season, where she became the first (and only) girl to successfully land a 3A at JGPF and Junior World. I would like to think Mao wearing Midori's dresses was a symbolic passing of the (queen of 3A) torch.

 

[yhmafan]

Seems like Mao did a prediction game with guys about the number of her starting order haha.
She hummed “I hope it’s 25~♪” like she's singing. (btw "25th" is also the day when she was born.) before drawing it and the result is clearly seen on her face,
then Yuzuru said “Oh! you look so happy” and she made a big smile at them. Such a lovely moment of her. If it means that she drew good luck then :thumbsup:

 

[yhmafan]

2002 was also the year Mao started landing 3As, and she was being coached by Midori's old coach as well. She was also wearing Midori's dress during her 2004-2005 junior season, where she became the first (and only) girl to successfully land a 3A at JGPF and Junior World. I would like to think Mao wearing Midori's dresses was a symbolic passing of the (queen of 3A) torch.

I would like to think that too as Mao is known as a big fan of Midori Ito (and Plushenko).
I have seen a person says somewhere that how surprising a lady skater has landed a 3A for ten years long in competitions and I fully agree. :agree2:

 

[Franklin99]

I would like to think that too as Mao is known as a big fan of Midori Ito (and Plushenko).
I have seen a person says somewhere that how surprising a lady skater has landed a 3A for ten years long in competitions and I fully agree. :agree2:

Not only that, but the fact that at 25, her 3A is the best it's ever been since she introduced it over 13 Years ago, :eekn: is the most impressive thing about Mao's drive and determination and her strength to never, ever, give up. To say I admire her is an understatement.