@ snowdrops24I totally agree! I love Mao's "uhh, wait, [look around at the others], what should I say?" moments!
So apparently there were more interesting things discussed at the press conference! Check out this article!!
To improve her power of expression, her coach says "Fall in love"
http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/p-sp-tp0-20090402-477936.htmlFigure skater Mao Asada (18) received a "command to fall in love" in order to win a gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics. On the 1st, Asada participated in a press conference for the World Team Trophy (starting on the 16th, in Tokyo - Yoyogi Gymnasium No. 1) in Tokyo. She revealed that she received unusual instructions from Coach Tatiana Tarasova (Russia) to "fall in love," as a way to improve her power of expression. On this day, she also attended the Chuukyou University school entrance ceremony in Nagoya city. She expressed interest in getting her nails done and getting a perm, and planned to bring out a grown-up charm and polish for the year of the major competition.
Whie blushing, Asada revealed the unusual instructions from Coach Tarasova.
Asada: I was told by Sensei [teacher], "When you fall in love, your performance will start changing slightly." "Is that how it is," I thought. Will I fall in love by the Vancouver Olympics? Hmm... Sensei says "It's essential for the power of expression," so, gee I wonder what will happen, hahaha."
While fidgeting and smiling awkwardly the whole time, she spoke. At the World Championships, where she aimed for her second consecutive title, she was about 20 points behind the winner Yu-Na Kim (Korea) and finished 4th. Especially in terms of the 5 program component scores, which rate the power of expression, Kim got above 8 in each category, whereas Mao got above 8 in only one. Over the five component scores, the difference was 8.25. [I think that's not correct, but no time to check.] To fill this gap, the famous commander who has raised numerous Olympic champions advocated "falling in love."
The truth is that Mao's first love was early.
Asada: [My first love was] when I was three. At kindergarten [pre-school?] I saw a picture and it was love at first sight.
On this day, she participated in the Chuukyou University school entrance ceremony and joined the group of female college students. She is looking forward to new encounters [ie, meeting new people and trying new things]. She said things like, "I want to get a manicure," "You can wear what you want, not a uniform, so it feels grown-up," and "I'm not going to make my hair brown, but I'd like to dye my hair, and get a perm," expressing her thoughts of cultivating a grown-up appeal, and strengthening her "power of expression."
Since she became a senior in 2005 up until this year's Worlds when she finished 4th, she has always stood on the podium. It looked like smooth sailing, but her worries and her great efforts continued.
Asada: There were times when I did think, I want to quit. When I failed at the competitions, I have thought "I'm not suited to figure skating." But I'm the type of person who forgets easily, so the next day my attitude would change again. After I watched the Beijing Olympics, my image of winning a gold medal was strengthened. If I win a gold medal? I don't know if I'll cry or smile (laughs).
If she falls in love and develops a grown-up appeal, then the middle of the Olympic podium, should follow naturally.
****************
This made me just
and
Soo cute!!
Though this is sort of old news - TAT told Mao she had to fall in love as early as fall 2007, when she first met her. I wonder how this came up - did TAT say this again to her after Worlds, and more seriously? Or maybe, just maybe, Mao is trying to prepare the media/public, so they don't freak out if the paparazzi snaps some shots of her holding hands with some cute boy...*I*, of course, find Mao's somewhat mysterious, "gee, I wonder what will happen, hahaha" comment a little suspicious...
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Wed Apr 01, 2009 8:42 pm
This comment about wanting to do her nails was hilarious. 
She's taking the reporters' questions so seriously. Normally, when people were asked questions they don't know how to answer or don't care about, they usually just give a lame and predictable answer, but not Mao! 
"Do nails." 
