Mao: post-Sochi news and articles

Mao's fan spiral at the peak of music of Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra is the most memorable scene which is normally gone through in Machida's program.

tamms at fsuniverse just posted some great news on the Mao cheer thread at fsuniverse.

She wrote, "Mao will be taking part in Stars on Ice in January. Her name was just added yesterday to the guest skaters list:
http://www.tbs.co.jp/event/soi2015/

Hopefully, there will be some videos of her performance posted on the internet, and in the meantime the anticipation will build.

^ This is great news!

I wonder if she'll have a new program, I can't wait to see her.

Now it's not just SOI 2015 Japan tour, from the news/twitter this morning that Mao will also join 'Christmas on Ice' from Dec 21-24:

http://www.xmasonice.com/

I think this means she has to resume practice at some point sooner Originally I thought she probably won't show up in any of the skating shows around the new year, as I've read from some of the Jpn fan blogs that the school year will end soon after the new year breaks in Japan, and she will be busy with the school and finals. But it's just a great news that she'll join other local and international skaters for shows during that time.

As for a new program, though I enjoyed her "This little light of mine" Ex from The Ice 2014, I don't think ppl can easily relate to the origin of the song, as it is rather religious (though it will be a nice fit with the Xmas/New year atmosphere). If she won't have a new program, another possibility is to revive one of her previous programs...but perhaps not Ballade nor Fantasia for violin, I assume

awesome news COHK , now there is something to look forward too

Hello Everyone,

I was watching Machida sp and it remind me of yuzuri's romeo and juliet progam with the music from the song Missing You. And I thought I wish someone would choreography that kind of passion and foot work into one of these programs for Mao. I went back and found Mao East of Eden. I was very disappointed in the choreography that music has so many area for passion & killer foot work.  I did not see any amazing foot work so I am very disappointed in it. Especially, Mao footwork is better than Men, so I was like why in the world a choreographer not put that in to such dramatic music that begs for dramatic footwork.
I am thinking can this Philip Mills guy choreography for Mao.

girlgirllo wrote:

Hello Everyone,

I was watching Machida sp and it remind me of yuzuri's romeo and juliet progam with the music from the song Missing You. And I thought I wish someone would choreography that kind of passion and foot work into one of these programs for Mao. I went back and found Mao East of Eden. I was very disappointed in the choreography that music has so many area for passion & killer foot work.  I did not see any amazing foot work so I am very disappointed in it. Especially, Mao footwork is better than Men, so I was like why in the world a choreographer not put that in to such dramatic music that begs for dramatic footwork.
I am thinking can this Philip Mills guy choreography for Mao.

I know, if something I really note this season is the lack of a good step seq. Everyone are just moving arms and legs with not purpose

Shibs new video in THE ICE, really good acting of Mao and Mai , and it is really

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVSK4Xi6eUQ&list=UUPB7-Ktk6nn4BBm299eL_IA

chapis wrote:

girlgirllo wrote:

Hello Everyone,

I was watching Machida sp and it remind me of yuzuri's romeo and juliet progam with the music from the song Missing You. And I thought I wish someone would choreography that kind of passion and foot work into one of these programs for Mao. I went back and found Mao East of Eden. I was very disappointed in the choreography that music has so many area for passion & killer foot work.  I did not see any amazing foot work so I am very disappointed in it. Especially, Mao footwork is better than Men, so I was like why in the world a choreographer not put that in to such dramatic music that begs for dramatic footwork.
I am thinking can this Philip Mills guy choreography for Mao.

I know, if something I really note this season is the lack of a good step seq. Everyone are just moving arms and legs with not purpose

Shibs new video in THE ICE, really good acting of Mao and Mai , and it is really

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVSK4Xi6eUQ&list=UUPB7-Ktk6nn4BBm299eL_IA

Haha omg what is that?

I have already posted this translation of Maxim Trankov's commentary on Mao's performance, but I found one in French as well. There may well be many others, but these are the only two languages other than English I know well enough to understand. The best I heard in English was the male commentator with Tara Lipnski (who herself said Mao gave the best performance). He said, "There will not be a more gutsy, determined, impressive performance the rest of the night."

If any of you speak different languages, would you translate phrases of praise from commentators for Mao and post them on this site? I think it would be a nice way to honor her for her beautiful performances.    

Live on Russian TV, the Russian pairs champion Maxim Trankov said about Mao, "It is the performance that only an Olympic champion can do. She would have been Olympic champion. Maximum difficulty. It has been a long time since I saw that kind of performance in women's competition.( translation)" He also called her a "true samurai." Look for the blue POCCIR - Russian logo on the video. It is the 8th video from the top.  
http://skating.livedoor.biz/archives/51877523.html

On French TV, the male commentators said, "La programme de champion Olympic ce soir." "The program of the Olympic champion tonight" twice, once during her Biellmann and again when she finished. They also called her performance "Extraordinary" and the female announcer said, "Incredible."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHLBCzL_8Yg  Mao Asada 2014 Olympic FS French TV フランス放送　日本語字幕付き

It's ironic to me that the only time I heard the words Olympic champion during the women's LP was in reference to Mao's performance.

Mao's incredible athleticism and sincerity in expression and execution is the bright spotlight that unveiled  the dark obscurity of the ISU's score manipulation based on national affiliation and over-hyped reputation. Better stop there because I need to lighten up myself.

Here is an excellent copy of Mao's Sochi LP along with the final 6 skaters:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5fA9o2sBis

Here is a translation of the CCTV commentary of Mao's Sochi freeskate with Chen Lu and the usual commentator (I don't know her name ). Feel free to correct me if I made mistakes. Both women are very articulate, and I don't think I was able to capture the full sophistication of their commentary :/.

Before The Freeskate: “Here is Mao Asada. We thought she would be skating in the last group, but after falling on her triple axel in the short program, she was unable to get herself together and completely missed her combination jump. She placed 16th in the short program and is now skating in the second group. We hope that in her final performance, she leaves us a program to remember. Her free skate music is Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.2. Her opening element will be the triple axel.”

…The Freeskate…

After The Freeskate: “The first woman to land a triple axel in junior competition! The first woman to land three triple axels in a competition! I would like to say that achievements in life come from dedication and not surrender! She never gave up this most difficult of jumps. This road may have been difficult and lonely, but heaven will not fail to reward your efforts.”

“Today Mao Asada returned. I’m so happy for her. She never gave up on this difficult element.”

“When she cried, Chen Lu cried as well.”

“To see a competitor persist for so long! After having a disaster yesterday, she withstood the pressure and left us a performance that we can remember in are hearts forever. I am just so happy for her.”

“When she landed that triple axel, Chen Lu was about to say, ‘Why not yesterday?!’”

“To be able to control your nerves during a big competition, to be able to control your nerves and demonstrate your true ability, requires an athlete to have amazing self-confidence.”

“This athlete never wants to give up. Many people would have said to her that if you succeed on the axel, you may get lots of points, but the penalty for failure is extreme. Yet she never wanted to get up.”

“I think for Mao, the placement is not important. What is important is that she left that performance in our hearts.”

“This is Mao’s last Olympics, and it should be the last time she steps out on the ice. She left everyone a beautiful performance. She didn’t want to just give us the triple axel. She wanted to show us a complete performance.”

…Then they basically just read out the scores. They mentioned that her freeskate score was the highest of the season. The lady was like, "Do y'all know what this is?! This is the highest ladies' freeskate score of the season."

^ Thank you Bounce Around for providing such a detailed translation of Chen Lu's beautiful and articulate commentary on Mao's Sochi freeskate, along with the other Chinese woman you can't remember. I know Chen Lu had some hard luck losses performing great skates, like 1996 Worlds (compare Mao's 2007 Worlds and 2007 Grand Prix Final), and some emotional outbursts at the Olympics after her wonderful Madame Butterfly performance at the 1998 Olympics, so I am sure she must have really sympathized with Mao after such a legendary performance at Sochi. I wish I knew French better to give a more thorough translation of that commentary.
I don't know if these have been posted or not, but I found several videos of Mao in Young Japan Action.

In the first, soft spoken Mao is yelling at the top of her lungs, while someone bangs on a drum and and a group of men chant loudly around her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMjDQqf3mLU

Here she has a birthday cake brought out by the same young men on her birthday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdScKcFWyxU

In the next pair of videos, she is sitting around a large table talking and laughing with some fellow students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTZBq3tOSjw

And here is another one with the same students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4RphViY9zI

Here is a short interview with Mao about the Olympics and her future goals with subtitles in English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxTqIIzyWeg

Thank you WowMao

WowMao wrote:

^ Thank you providing such a detailed translation of Chen Lu's beautiful words about Mao's Sochi freeskate. I wish I knew French better to give a more thorough translation of the one in French.

I don't know if these have been posted or not, but I found several videos of Mao in Young Japan Action.
In the first, soft spoken Mao is yelling at the top of her lungs, while someone bangs on a drum and and a group of men chant loudly around her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMjDQqf3mLU

Here she has a birthday cake brought out by the same young men on her birthday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdScKcFWyxU

In the next pair of videos, she is sitting around a large table talking and laughing with some fellow students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTZBq3tOSjw

And here is another one with the same students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4RphViY9zI

My Queen. Love her so much. Her fashion sense is so refined😍😍😍

I know Young Japan Action is a project Sumitomo which aims to get Japanese youth more involved in community work and Mao is the project leader, but does any know what she'll do in particular?

Here is Mao's 2005 Grand Prix Final FS, the first copy in Japanese is a little better. This program is so precious, adorable, graceful, aesthetic and athletic. Tearfully beautiful in its innocent sincerity and pure artistic integrity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS0RqdrP2b8

The other in English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oc1jxgLD6o

Here is the best copy I could find of Mao's SP at the Grand Prix Final 2005 in Japanese

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZAoBRmwqsk

In this program Mao does a marvelously limber fan spiral with exquisite extensions drawn out slowly in smooth arcs that cut across the ice, leading into a lovely one handed Biellmann that's lyrically synchronized to the whining of the violins. Then, she turns upright and projects her arms over her head, dropping them down slowly and expressively, as the violins descend into a gentle pianissimo before the forte of the step sequence begins. With her head tilted slightly to the side, she holds the falling notes gently in her cradled arms like a baby gently pacified by their mother's lovely charm.

Here is another good copy in Engish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm33jbjUWRw

Tripleaxelqueen wrote:

WowMao wrote:

^ Thank you providing such a detailed translation of Chen Lu's beautiful words about Mao's Sochi freeskate. I wish I knew French better to give a more thorough translation of the one in French.

I don't know if these have been posted or not, but I found several videos of Mao in Young Japan Action.
In the first, soft spoken Mao is yelling at the top of her lungs, while someone bangs on a drum and and a group of men chant loudly around her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMjDQqf3mLU

Here she has a birthday cake brought out by the same young men on her birthday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdScKcFWyxU

In the next pair of videos, she is sitting around a large table talking and laughing with some fellow students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTZBq3tOSjw

And here is another one with the same students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4RphViY9zI

My Queen. Love her so much. Her fashion sense is so refined😍😍😍

I just love the clip, it soo nice to see Mao again, even when I don't understand one word of what she said

she seems so happy, meanwhile we are suffering watching sloppy performances
No, I am really happy watching her happy

pearlyriver wrote:

I know Young Japan Action is a project Sumitomo which aims to get Japanese youth more involved in community work and Mao is the project leader, but does any know what she'll do in particular?

I tried to check the relevant website and the regulation they proposed. At the moment there's not much announced, other than that Mao'd be involved in deciding the best project proposed. I imagine that she probably will also take part in the best project chosen?

BounceAround wrote:

Here is a translation of the CCTV commentary of Mao's Sochi freeskate with Chen Lu and the usual commentator (I don't know her name ). Feel free to correct me if I made mistakes. Both women are very articulate, and I don't think I was able to capture the full sophistication of their commentary :/.

Thank you BounceAround for posting this. IIRC, the CCTV commentator who worked with Chen Lu was Chen Ying (Though it has been rumored that CY has been a big fan of YNK's skating...)

i always want to ask this question

this sport have a reputation for cheating n bribe
where's was the money came from?

figureskateobasan posted this at goldenskate:

Mao attended the 10th anniversary event of Airweave yesterday.
She looks stunning [​IMG]

http://www.asahi.com/and_M/informati...111197371.html

I agree, and it looks like she is in great shape.

Here is a copy of the long interview she had when she returned from Sochi at the press club.
It's been posted before I think, but it's hard to find where.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaiCo_i_cCI

In honor of Grand Prix season, here is a beautiful copy of Mao's Nocturne at Skate America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTeOx3ZCrs8

WowMao wrote:

Here is a short interview with Mao about the Olympics and her future goals with subtitles in English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxTqIIzyWeg

This was inspiring!

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

WowMao wrote:

Here is a short interview with Mao about the Olympics and her future goals with subtitles in English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxTqIIzyWeg

This was inspiring!

amazing interview, from an amazing skater

I was wondering if anyone knows-of or has any other translations of commentaries on Mao's Olympic program in English. I really enjoy reading them .