Nobunari Oda is leaving for Canada for the final preparation
Nobunari Oda was interviewed by the college newspaper at his entrance ceremony to Kansai University Graduate School.
http://www.boom-sports.com/archives/51973863.html
(translated by me)
- The dates have been set for the World Championships.
N: I understand it is impossible to hold the championships in Tokyo, given the circumstances. I am glad it is going to be held in Moscow instead. It was rescheduled to late April very quickly; it's much better than it being cancelled, and also we can now compete on nearer the original dates.
- What is your schedule running up to the championships?
N: I am leaving for Canada tomorrow (April 3), and will stay there until I go to Moscow. I am doing the final brushing up with my coach in Canada, and fine tuning choreography. It's better to do a holistic training in Canada. Originally, I was planning to leave next week, but my coach said we'd need 2-3 weeks for conditioning. It is my top priority to give a good performance at the Worlds. I can concentrate on practising there.
- What's your condition now?
N: I have an image of my best performance there. The rescheduling of the Worlds gave me some time to rest and my condition is improving. I hope I can do what I am planning to do. There's no change of the elements in the programmes; a quad each in the short and the free.
- Your wedding is rescheduled too.
N: Yes, it's now on May 22. There were no other dates available. (* I think he's referring to the availability of the venue.) I spent the last few days organising and sending out the letters of apology for the change of dates to the guests...
- We heard you collected donations in Takatsuki (*where his university is located)
N: I thought about what we could do for now, and came up with the idea. When I took the idea to my fellow members of Kansai University Skating Club, they agreed to join in. Takatsuki City Council gave us support too. The time flew when I was doing it. It was good to witness people's good will and it was a precious experience. I would like to keep on supporting the victims of the disasters. I was also invited to participate in the charity gala on April 9, but I had to turn down as I now need to go to Canada. I apologised to the organisers.
- How do you feel now that the Worlds are so close?
N: I could not skate very well in the last competition, the Universiade. So I would like to prove that I can do better. I ended in the 28th place at the last Worlds, and I am feeling very nervous. I have never skated my best at the World Championships. I am feeling nervous, but I will overcome it.
- Psychologically?
N: It means a lot to me that this is the last competition of the season. I am thinking positively - if I get the result there, I will look back fondly of my nervousness then. Now that I am married and have a family, I am much calmer and level headed than before.
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* About the charity gala on April 9, please refer to
this post.
**
Pics of Nobu and Takeshi Honda collecting donations at Takatsuki Station.
