I just watched the linked 2008-9 GPfinal performance. In the kiss and cry, sometimes I think it is odd how skaters kind of ignore their coaches....anyway, I was reading a linked interview from Wiki to a Russian interview with Miki where she says about this time of this performance, she was getting pressure from the Japanese Fed to leave Mr. M.
You kinda have to fight through the translation but it is interesting....from Jan 2011....sorry if this was covered already....
http://winter.sport-express.ru/figureskating/reviews/13556/
Ando:
"During the World Cup was crying every day"
Вчера. Москва. "Мегаспорт". Мики АНДО.
REUTERS
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
In Moscow, the Japanese Trust Russian coach Nikolai Morozov won this season, second time in late November, Ando won the Russian stage of "Grand Prix" on the same ice wins second title of world champion. If we recall that two years ago, the Moscow stage of the "Grand Prix" remained behind Japanese woman, is to ascertain: in the Russian capital skater implicitly carries.
- Mickey, it's true that you are going to take a year off, and maybe even end up with an amateur sport?
- Now I is not sure. First want to miss a year after the Games in Vancouver. But after the Olympics ended, I changed my mind. Nicholas (Morozov. - Approx. EV ) convinced me that it is not quite reasonable and not very fair for the Japanese fans since the World Cup 2011, as you know, was planned in Tokyo.
- Why did this idea came - to miss the season?
- Just tired. Began to feel that in my life as a lot of skating. Dulled sense of freshness. And I thought that the break will allow me to rest and re-taste to the training and presentations.
- You already won the world championship - in 2007. Can you compare that victory and the present?
- Now it was more difficult. In 2007 I was injured right before the competition and two weeks in general could not skate. Accordingly, not building any plans to fight for the medals. The victory was a complete surprise.
This season, I knew that I could be on the podium. That was the goal, which forced me to work hard in training. But psychologically, this work was given to me at the cost of great efforts.
- Beginning in the fall you have won all the competitions, which involved, besides the final "Grand Prix". And saying that, for the World Cup thinking "just about medals," and not about the gold?
- In general, I honestly do not like to think about medals. Matters is how well I manage to skate their programs. Quality. When I know what to do in competitions all that was capable of, it does not matter to me what kind of place with the set of the judge. No matter how much I scored points for the rental. Feel inner satisfaction from the quality performances much more enjoyable than winning medals just by coincidence.
Now for me it is particularly important to me pride in Japan. Because our country is now on hard times. Many died, many people still have not found their loved ones. The only thing we can do for his countrymen - to give them a reason to be happy for us and be proud of us. I think the same thing you would say any player from the Japanese team. This means much more than a gold medal.
- You are very unusual look on the Moscow ice. As if experiencing strong emotions, but not very happy with it.
- In general, the competition is not very easy to look happy, or at least smile. All are nervous, constantly focused on his speeches. Yes, I tried not to smile. This is a purely personal, but I'm worried about a very difficult period. Can you admit that throughout the week that followed the championship, I cried every day. Perhaps some part of this state passed in my presentation. Although I did not want it.
- Your victory is something in this regard has changed? In other words, are you going to continue to cry and then?
- I hope not.
- You are a champion, but the execution of arbitrary programs when it was not the best. Why?
- Too tired. Of the total. From work, from personal experience. But showed a maximum, which is now capable of. It's nice that made any gross errors. At such competitions as the World Cup is very important.
- Failure to address Una Kim greatly surprised you?
- It may sound strange, but I do not pay attention to how other athletes ride. And Yong Kim as well. It is not my business. Especially do not think it right to judge what, who and how to skate. I think that figure skating in general is poorly than "worse" or "better." At this level, as the world championship, each skater is something that he does so, as others can not. We are all different, just as there are different people, countries, languages and traditions.
- Your coach for some time now a permanent presence in Russia. How hard for you to spend so much time in a foreign country?
- It's hard. I like it here, but I do not speak in Russian. Constantly be around people who speak a language incomprehensible to you - a great challenge. I have already experienced a similar period in my life when I started to train with Morozov in America. In English I did not understand a word. Nicholas first thing made me learn the language. Much later I realized how right he was. Because along with new words, I acquired new friends, learning new things for myself, to discover a new culture.
Now, I also try as soon as possible to learn the language. I try to talk, I try to listen carefully to what they say and how people around me.
- How many years have you been exercising at Morozov?
- Five.
- So, remember the days when your group ride Daisuke Takahashi, and then - Nobunari Oda ... Perhaps you have been psychologically more comfortable when there was someone to talk to in Japanese?
- The funny thing is that we are now talking more with them in English. And Takahiko Kodzukoy - too.
- Why?
- I do not know. But it's true. I noticed that in their native language now speak only in demonstration performances in Japan. Well, when I come back or for some other cases.
- Returning to the theme with which we started: you still intend to take a break in the speeches?
- It is safe to say that try to ride up to the Olympic Games in Sochi. In the sense that if they take leave, not for long. And be sure to come back. And then I'll have to think about what to do in life. Teach young children to work in a particular area, or go to trade shows.
- If you arrive in Sochi, it will be the third Olympics your. What can you say about the first two? It was a special experience?
- About Turin can say little. I was 19 years old and I have not understood very well what was happening. Just trying to see as much as possible, enjoyed every minute and really proud that I - uchastitsa Olympics. In Vancouver, it was different. I tried to skate well, as in any other competitions. And it is not seen by the way, the big difference between games and some other tournament. Ranked fifth. Well, then, the fifth ...
- When you speak, it's hard to say that interesting - look at you, or how is experiencing, and jumping to the beat of your jump Morozov. Do you have time for you to ride in the process of paying attention to the coach, standing at the side? Can you hear it?
- I can say one thing to me is very important to know that Nicholas stands at the side. If it is for some reason, there will probably never be able to skate. I'm not trying to see what it was during my rental makes a coach, but I know he was there. Nicholas has an amazing energy. I can feel it. And become stronger and more confident myself.
And I trust him completely. As a coach, as a person. I was pleased to hear from him that he, too, absolutely trust me when I'm on the ice.
- For you, a problem that the relationship with the Japanese Federation of Morozov's figure skating is waning?
- No. It's not my business.
- But I heard that the leadership of the federation was trying to convince you of the need to change the coach.
- Such has been. I suddenly began to say that Nicholas - a bad coach, bad choreography, that my working with him - big mistake.
- When was this?
- Shortly before the World Cup 2009 in Los Angeles. In general, I honestly do not understand what's happening. Because two years before I actually did not have any contacts with the national federation. I'm not interested in them when she won in 2007, and then, when because of injury appeared to the world championship in Gothenburg. Nobody came to my training, no one was interested, if I need some help. Therefore, before Los Angeles, I was in a kind of shocked by the fact that I was suddenly hit by a note from management.
- From the many skaters I have heard repeatedly that Morozov - a special coach.
- It's true.
- What is the meaning you attach to the concept of "special"? And what you think is the most valuable of the things he taught you?
- Nicholas gave me a big heart. In order to love figure skating, in order to fight. In order to understand why I skate. It is very difficult to explain in words. A similar feeling I had except at the very beginning when I first started skating. It so happened that led me to the rink friends. Mom was not up to it, his father died when I was eight years old. And the first coach was able to do so that I felt happy, cuz. Next to Nicholas I also feel happy.
Elena VAYTSEHOVSKAYA
// 01.05.2011
