Grand Prix Final 2011/2012 @Quebec City, Canada

polosatik wrote:

purplemaze wrote:

It's been confirmed here, tv Asahi just announced the news of Mao's withdrew from GPF via 5am news, and is on her way home now due to her Mother's critical condition. One of the team lady from JSF has made an urgent press conference @ around 5am JST regarding the matter and it was shown on the tv news. She said that Mao's manager contacted them at around late wee hours Canada time thru celfone call, telling the critical condition of mao's Mom. The JSF rep. also said that Mao left and board the plane at around past 1am JST, apologising that she had to witdrew and leave. They accompanied her also to the airport when Mao and Coach Sato left and she said that Mao looks sad and stern "りんとして、帰った" (rin toshite kaeta). The JSF lady spokesperson also relayed that Mao said that this GPF meant a lot to her and she would be willing to still compete if only they received sure words that her Mom will be safe and ok, but it didn't happen so she had to leave and be with her critical Mom asap. The JSF spokesperson looks so sad as well while reporting all these. They didn't thought that all would go down to this and that Mao's Mom 's condition would worsen. (-_-)

Oh no... It looked like Mao's mom is in very very bad condition

I was afraid of this, from the moment the news about mao's whitdrawal came

I know i couldn't sleep until i finally confirmed and hear of Mao's current situation so i stayed up and waited for the news. Nothing on every, other major channels, but finally i sticked with TV Asahi and it started at exactly 5am here , and they opened up with Mao news, telling '心配なニュース' worrying news on Mao's mother. They showed the JSF lady press con interview regarding Mao's urgent emergency flight back and her withdrawal from GPF, and said Mao's mother's condition has suddenly worsen and critical but they didn't explain yet the nature of the illness, only that it is very worrying, they have only mentioned that Mao ’s mother is critical. Btw Tv Asahi handles and broadcast all GP events, so i feel they have all the rights in relaying all the news, i think for now they like to keep the matter of Mao's Mom's illness privately, but im sure Mao will do her press con herself when she feels she's ready and when everything calmed down. Let us keep our prayers for her Mom. I am so worried too. And watch out for the new clips on yt they might show all the new news that was reported here this morning. Lets just stay close in vigil for the news, one thing sure is Mao is still in the plane at this hour.

purplemaze thank you so much for the update. I don't think I'll be to sleep tonight. I'm glued to every english speaking forum, to see if there is any news.
My thoughts are with mao and her family

Thank you purplemaze for keeping us updated.
I think this news video is already up on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XxqZ3zkc-s

This whole situation made me so sad and worried...
Mao's mum is in my prayers. Let's hope it all ends well..

I just read about Mao's mom being ill. I feel so bad for her. Nothing is more important than family. I'm praying for Mao's mom and her entire family. Thank you everybody for your updates.

Yup kaarolcia that was the first news they showed here, thank-you for linking it!

Im still watching the same channel here. They just showed messages from Dai and Akko,

Waah ～ i can't help but cry over their messages to Mao and her Mom , esp what Dai has said,
He said that Mao's mom has been so good to him, he wonders why he hasn't seen her lately, he feels so sad that he had learned that she is very ill. Dai also said to Mao to not worry anymore , that he and the rest will do their best in the competition including her (mao) part. And that she only have to be by her Mom, beside her and don't worry about anything else anymore. It was so touching how Dai and Akko said it, that one couldn't avoid from crying. (T_T)

purplemaze wrote:

Yup kaarolcia that was the first news they showed here, thank-you for linking it!

Im still watching the same channel here. They just showed messages from Dai and Akko,

Waah ～ i can't help but cry over their messages to Mao and her Mom , esp what Dai has said,
He said that Mao's mom has been so good to him, he wonders why he hasn't seen her lately, he feels so sad that he had learned that she is very ill. Dai also said to Mao to not worry anymore , that he and the rest will do their best in the competition including her (mao) part. And that she only have to be by her Mom, beside her and don't worry about anything else anymore. It was so touching how Dai and Akko said it, that one couldn't avoid from crying. (T_T)

It's so nice to see the wonderful comradeship that team Japan has always had. This can't be easy for Akiko and Dai.

Thank you for sharing that, purplemaze. So sweet of them to say those things, especially what Dai said about her mom. I'm crying thinking of them doing their best in the competition with her in their thoughts.

I am glad Mr. Sato is on the plane with her—someone said that, right? That way she at least has some company on the flight home. In a strange way, maybe it was a good thing that Takahiko didn't make this competition.

purplemaze wrote:

Yup kaarolcia that was the first news they showed here, thank-you for linking it!

Im still watching the same channel here. They just showed messages from Dai and Akko,

Waah ～ i can't help but cry over their messages to Mao and her Mom , esp what Dai has said,
He said that Mao's mom has been so good to him, he wonders why he hasn't seen her lately, he feels so sad that he had learned that she is very ill. Dai also said to Mao to not worry anymore , that he and the rest will do their best in the competition including her (mao) part. And that she only have to be by her Mom, beside her and don't worry about anything else anymore. It was so touching how Dai and Akko said it, that one couldn't avoid from crying. (T_T)

i have been so busy with work that i only now saw this dreadful news. just reading this thread, especially this post is enough to make me tear up. mao has been through so much. mao and mao's family are in my thoughts and prayers.

i'm glad for the akko and dai's words, that mao need not worry at all about representing japan well at this year's GPF--they will carry the load for her. it's awe-inspiring, the unity and love that everyone on team japan feels for each other. i haven't seen the video but i can imagine the heartfelt impact of akko's words, dai's words... oh, this is just so sad for mao.

purplemaze wrote:

Waah ～ i can't help but cry over their messages to Mao and her Mom , esp what Dai has said,
He said that Mao's mom has been so good to him, he wonders why he hasn't seen her lately, he feels so sad that he had learned that she is very ill. Dai also said to Mao to not worry anymore , that he and the rest will do their best in the competition including her (mao) part. And that she only have to be by her Mom, beside her and don't worry about anything else anymore. It was so touching how Dai and Akko said it, that one couldn't avoid from crying. (T_T)

Thank you for sharing! That was very touching and kind of Dai and Akiko. The Japanese team is like a big family. I hope they don't feel too stressed and manage to win some medals in Mao's place.

Quote :

Btw Tv Asahi handles and broadcast all GP events, so i feel they have all the rights in relaying all the news, i think for now they like to keep the matter of Mao's Mom's illness privately, but im sure Mao will do her press con herself when she feels she's ready and when everything calmed down.

According to this article ( http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111208&content_id=26128134&vkey=ice_news ) JSF requested the media to not make further inquiries at this time, so there probably won't be any new reports released soon. On a positive side, this should give Mao's family the much needed privacy in such a difficult time.

I can't believe this. I'm so scared of the word "critical". Is it that bad? I hope they're exaggerating. How old is her mom?

Okami wrote:

purplemaze wrote:

Waah ～ i can't help but cry over their messages to Mao and her Mom , esp what Dai has said,
He said that Mao's mom has been so good to him, he wonders why he hasn't seen her lately, he feels so sad that he had learned that she is very ill. Dai also said to Mao to not worry anymore , that he and the rest will do their best in the competition including her (mao) part. And that she only have to be by her Mom, beside her and don't worry about anything else anymore. It was so touching how Dai and Akko said it, that one couldn't avoid from crying. (T_T)

Thank you for sharing! That was very touching and kind of Dai and Akiko. The Japanese team is like a big family. I hope they don't feel too stressed and manage to win some medals in Mao's place.

Quote :

Btw Tv Asahi handles and broadcast all GP events, so i feel they have all the rights in relaying all the news, i think for now they like to keep the matter of Mao's Mom's illness privately, but im sure Mao will do her press con herself when she feels she's ready and when everything calmed down.

According to this article ( http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111208&content_id=26128134&vkey=ice_news ) JSF requested the media to not make further inquiries at this time, so there probably won't be any new reports released soon. On a positive side, this should give Mao's family the much needed privacy in such a difficult time.

I'm all so relieved to hear this. Thank-you Okami.

I think it's the only proper, respectful thing to do on this matter. I believe it's only right to leave the Asadas to their own privacies in this trying time. And other than Asahi and TBS, there hasn't been any networks reporting about it on tv so far, so i guess the media here are behaving as they should be. For that, too, i'm relieved. I only hope and pray that Mao won't be bombarded by cameras and reporters when she arrives later at the airport. Media people can become so cruel and heartless sometimes and i fear for Mao and family this time. I really hope that wouldn't be the case though for the Asadas, Mao and her family have already gone through a lot that i think media inquiries will be the least of the things she would need now.

alyssa wrote:

I can't believe this. I'm so scared of the word "critical". Is it that bad? I hope they're exaggerating. How old is her mom?

I read that she is just 49...
Maybe they might be - But I don't think Mao would leave the competition if the matter would not be serious.
That is what's getting me all worried...
No news about her health? Has Mao landed?

alyssa wrote:

I can't believe this. I'm so scared of the word "critical". Is it that bad? I hope they're exaggerating. How old is her mom?

Her mom is 49 years old according to this article.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5heIxw_FwxzTZEspEr1lzSmewzb6w?docId=CNG.ab073b1edd4c6fef27622c44e43edcb6.101

Thanks purplemaze and everyone for the links and updates!

Here are some quotes from the other skaters.

According to this:
http://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/news/20111209k0000e050140000c.html

Alissa said, "It's very sad. She is a wonderful competitor, so I'm worried for her."
Carolina said, "It's sad, but if I were her, I'd do the same thing and go home."

Similarly, from this article:
http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2011120900112

Carolina said, "It's very sad. I hope to see Mao when she's cheerful and well again."
Alissa said, "She is a wonderful skater, so I wanted to compete against her. I pray for her good fortune."

I hope this pic means that Mao is back in Japan now?
http://www.fnn-news.com/news/headlines/articles/CONN00213193.html

Yes, if there is one thing that is consoling me now, it's knowing that there are so many people there who love Mao dearly and will definitely be there to support her (if she lets them). I'm so glad that Nobuo-sensei accompanied her home--he seems to be like the grandfather Mao never had. And Kumiko-sensei and Machiko Yamada-sensei--they are practically like Mao's grandmothers.

Even the JSF lady who spoke on the news reports--she seemed to have so much respect and admiration for Mao when she spoke about her being "rin toshite" = "dignified" (as purplemaze mentioned) and "rippa" (= fine, as in "grown up into a fine young lady").

And I'm not making light of the situation, but in a way, perhaps it is a good thing that Taka-chan is not at the GPF, because he probably would've had a hard time concentrating, even if Nobuo-sensei stayed with him. And Mao will have a friend.

(Taka-chan, here is your chance to show Mao that you can be there when she needs you! Don't try to intrude, give her some space, but make sure she eats and gets some rest and protect her from the media...and hopefully, when this is all over and one day when things go back to normal, she will thank you... )

^Thanks for the updates everyone!!!

I really really hope that everything will be okay. I am so glad there is so much support around Mao. It's amazing how she has been able to skate this past year despite all of this going on.
A truly strong woman!

I am really shocked. I was looking forward to her competing, but if it's like this, then I would do the same thing and go home because I wouldn't be able to concentrate while competing.

As for Alissa's quote, I think a lot of skaters want to compete against Mao. She's definitely a challenge. Now Elizaveta definitely has a strong, strong chance, unless Akiko grabs it from her.

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

I am really shocked. I was looking forward to her competing, but if it's like this, then I would do the same thing and go home because I wouldn't be able to concentrate while competing.

As for Alissa's quote, I think a lot of skaters want to compete against Mao. She's definitely a challenge. Now Elizaveta definitely has a strong, strong chance, unless Akiko grabs it from her.

I am so rooting for Akiko now! Go team Japan!

zarinaballerina wrote:

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

I am really shocked. I was looking forward to her competing, but if it's like this, then I would do the same thing and go home because I wouldn't be able to concentrate while competing.

As for Alissa's quote, I think a lot of skaters want to compete against Mao. She's definitely a challenge. Now Elizaveta definitely has a strong, strong chance, unless Akiko grabs it from her.

I am so rooting for Akiko now! Go team Japan!

i second you, zarinaballerina, definitely Go Akiko!... Go Team Japan!!! although i think it will be a tough competition still; with Elizaveta on the advantage technically. I hope all goes well for the ladies and the whole GPF events....

purplemaze wrote:

zarinaballerina wrote:

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

I am really shocked. I was looking forward to her competing, but if it's like this, then I would do the same thing and go home because I wouldn't be able to concentrate while competing.

As for Alissa's quote, I think a lot of skaters want to compete against Mao. She's definitely a challenge. Now Elizaveta definitely has a strong, strong chance, unless Akiko grabs it from her.

I am so rooting for Akiko now! Go team Japan!

i second you, zarinaballerina, definitely Go Akiko!... Go Team Japan!!! although i think it will be a tough competition still; with Elizaveta on the advantage technically. I hope all goes well for the ladies and the whole GPF events....

Yeah, I know what you mean. I really won't mind if Liza wins this, since I'm a big fan of hers, but I am hoping for Akiko to win, since Mao can't compete. I wonder what's going on in their heads now, team Japan always looked more like one big family, whose members happen to compete against each other, and if there is rivalry, it's certainly a friendly one. You don't often get to see such comradeship.

zarinaballerina wrote:

purplemaze wrote:

zarinaballerina wrote:

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

I am really shocked. I was looking forward to her competing, but if it's like this, then I would do the same thing and go home because I wouldn't be able to concentrate while competing.

As for Alissa's quote, I think a lot of skaters want to compete against Mao. She's definitely a challenge. Now Elizaveta definitely has a strong, strong chance, unless Akiko grabs it from her.

I am so rooting for Akiko now! Go team Japan!

i second you, zarinaballerina, definitely Go Akiko!... Go Team Japan!!! although i think it will be a tough competition still; with Elizaveta on the advantage technically. I hope all goes well for the ladies and the whole GPF events....

Yeah, I know what you mean. I really won't mind if Liza wins this, since I'm a big fan of hers, but I am hoping for Akiko to win, since Mao can't compete. I wonder what's going on in their heads now, team Japan always looked more like one big family, whose members happen to compete against each other, and if there is rivalry, it's certainly a friendly one. You don't often get to see such comradeship.

It's just that Eliza has great technique and she's still young. There's an average of a 10 year difference between her and her competitors! Alissa already had her chance last year. I really want someone else to grab it, like Carolina. There hasn't been an Italian. Sorry. I just like equalizing the playing field. However, if there is anyone who's going to be a threat to the gold for Eliza, it'll be Akiko.

All we know is, that all the Asada girls are very strong!

Btw, who will get Maos place in the GPF now? Who was in 7th place?

there will be no oe to replace Mao cause the comptition is today and there is no time to call adeline in, so the competition will only be between 5!

ballerinamao wrote:

there will be no oe to replace Mao cause the comptition is today and there is no time to call adeline in, so the competition will only be between 5!

Oh i see

I'm rooting for both Akiko and Liza to triumph in this one, but TBH, I'm not in the mood to watch the competition. Maybe I'll change my mind later, but right now the only thing in my mind is Mao and her mother's condition. I hope they will be both okay...