Mao: post-Sochi news and articles

zarinaballerina wrote:

COHK wrote:

The entries to the Worlds 2014 is updated here:
http://www.isuresults.com/events/fsevent00051515.htm

Some 'surprises' (or not...) so far:
- Dai will not attend due to injury, Koz will go instead
- Patrick will not attend
- Adelina is listed as Sub, Anna and Yulia take the 2 Rus entries
- neither D/W nor V/M will attend
.......

This is great news for Kozuka, but it sucks for Dai. This would've been his last worlds and being in his own country...it must be awful for him.

I'm not surprised that Adelina isn't going. I honestly don't think the judges would've given her a score anywhere near at what she's got in Sochi, so why add fuel to the whole Yuna was robbed controversy. I hope she doesn't retire though.

I'm not surprised at Patrick skipping this etiher, he doesn't want to lose to Yuzu yet again.

So the new world champions in ice dance are going to be Lena/Nikita.   God I hope Katya/Dimka will manage to pull an upset. I really don't want Lena/Nikita to win, they're not good enough yet, or to say it better, their program content is not deserving of a world title, IMO.

Well maybe after this Dai will reconsider retirement. I think he can still continue, but of course that's just me being selfish.

Oh Adelina, poor girl, getting all the heat because of what happened. I hope she takes a good rest and wins more medals to shut up the bitter haters.

And with so many skaters pulling out, I don't even know if Worlds is exciting or not. Guess we'll have to see.  

I heard about Kim Yu-na finally dating. Thus, now it's Mao's turn. Lol! It's because we've been trying to predict when Mao will ever have a boyfriend!

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

I heard about Kim Yu-na finally dating. Thus, now it's Mao's turn. Lol! It's because we've been trying to predict when Mao will ever have a boyfriend!

Oh, but we all know how Mao is more preoccupied with food to even try looking for one. I am sure that there may be a line forming around somewhere for our girl though!  

klarification wrote:

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

I heard about Kim Yu-na finally dating. Thus, now it's Mao's turn. Lol! It's because we've been trying to predict when Mao will ever have a boyfriend!

Oh, but we all know how Mao is more preoccupied with food to even try looking for one. I am sure that there may be a line forming around somewhere for our girl though!  

Well, the middle ground is a chef! LOL! Didn't someone already mention that she is good with a chef?

klarification wrote:

Oh Adelina, poor girl, getting all the heat because of what happened.

The girl got the Benz and enjoying the cool weather in Switzerland, hardly aware of how "poor" she is . Yuna seemed dull and frastrated, with her pissy attitute and never-glad face. Well, nevertheless the fake queen is finally gone forever and now we don't have to deal with her arrogance, rudeness and laziness, or to hear how superior she is to all the rest from her insane Yunabots. Bye-bye, losersdom!  Oh, wait, I hope Yuna&things around her won't reflect badly on Pyongchang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_-FxV5viQk

Team Russia for Worlds is not "sealed" yet. Piseev said Sotnikova might compete. The final decision will be made after March 10 when she is back after AOI tour http://www.rsport.ru/figure_skating/20140305/732356915.html . Earlier Volosozhar/Trankov's coach Mozer said the decision on their participation in Worlds will be made by the end of the week, when they are back from AOI, the same show with Sotnikova http://www.rsport.ru/figure_skating/20140304/731900419.html .

let`s talk wrote:

klarification wrote:

Oh Adelina, poor girl, getting all the heat because of what happened.

The girl got the Benz and enjoying the cool weather in Switzerland, hardly aware of how "poor" she is . Yuna seemed dull and frastrated, with her pissy attitute and never-glad face. Well, nevertheless the fake queen is finally gone forever and now we don't have to deal with her arrogance, rudeness and laziness, or to hear how superior she is to all the rest from her insane Yunabots. Bye-bye, losersdom!  Oh, wait, I hope Yuna&things around her won't reflect badly on Pyongchang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_-FxV5viQk

Team Russia for Worlds is not "sealed" yet. Piseev said Sotnikova might compete. The final decision will be made after March 10 when she is back after AOI tour http://www.rsport.ru/figure_skating/20140305/732356915.html . Earlier Volosozhar/Trankov's coach Mozer said the decision on their participation in Worlds will be made by the end of the week, when they are back from AOI, the same show with Sotnikova http://www.rsport.ru/figure_skating/20140304/731900419.html .

While the part about Yuna is a bit mean, I do agree with you. I think by being forced to compete (no way will I believe she was willingly staying on) might have a lot to do with her "pissy attitude", but yeah, I'm completely with you on the "she's so superior" part. Thank God this is going away.

The treatment Adelina is getting from Yuna "fans" is really nasty. I've been to her instagram page, the comments some are leaving there...   She's a 17 year old girl, who worked her butt off to be where she is, and she isn't the one who gave herself those scores, so people need to get a life and stop spilling their hatred on this poor girl. It's not her fault the queen had an inferior technical content.   Besides, the ones who were really robbed, were Caro and Mao, IMO. Mao should've scored a new WR with that LP, instead she got lower PCS than Yulia.  

Some posters over at GS made a good point that maybe the Federation doesn't want Adelina to compete at worlds. Like I said, no way is she getting 149 for a clean LP there.

klarification wrote:

Oh, but we all know how Mao is more preoccupied with food to even try looking for one. I am sure that there may be a line forming around somewhere for our girl though  

 

Well, at least they know what they have to do if they want to win her heart. They must know how to cook.

did I hear right Adelina is not competing at worlds? I thought she ha confirmed she is attending worlds, a sudden change of mind???

[quote="zarinaballerina"]

COHK wrote:

So the new world champions in ice dance are going to be Lena/Nikita.   God I hope Katya/Dimka will manage to pull an upset. I really don't want Lena/Nikita to win, they're not good enough yet, or to say it better, their program content is not deserving of a world title, IMO.

If there is some justice in this world, Nathalie and Fabian will win worlds this year. it has to happen for them, it's their last chance. They have been crushed in Sochi and the point difference was absurd. Every other team will have a chance next year. Please skating gods, let them win worlds this season!
The same thing I want for Aliona and Robin. To end their career with a 5th world title.
And for Mao of course.

Found some scans from Sports Graphic Number 2014 3/13 Issue:

Quote :

Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/saikoro_go/e/25b22cffd42bdcbb05bc0cfc7f9a1d29

---

Lady_in_black wrote:

If there is some justice in this world, Nathalie and Fabian will win worlds this year. it has to happen for them, it's their last chance. They have been crushed in Sochi and the point difference was absurd.

I thought for sure that after Olympics they were done! I hope they would win, I adore P/B's The Little Prince program so much.  

Guys, there are rumours on other boards that the tech controller at worlds is going to be Amano.       

I hope they're wrong, or that if he is there, he's going to be judging men instead. Come on ISU!
And if they are right, what are the odds he'll be fair towards Mao? There were reports that he wanted to ratify her 3A at GPF SP, but couldn't due to the Korean specialist, so I'm hoping against hope that he'll take mercy on Mao.    

zarinaballerina wrote:

Guys, there are rumours on other boards that the tech controller at worlds is going to be Amano.       

I hope they're wrong, or that if he is there, he's going to be judging men instead. Come on ISU!
And if they are right, what are the odds he'll be fair towards Mao? There were reports that he wanted to ratify her 3A at GPF SP, but couldn't due to the Korean specialist, so I'm hoping against hope that he'll take mercy on Mao.    

Amano again, huh?  
Actually this time I'm not worried about him. If anything, I want Mao to do another perfect 3A just to show him who's boss!  

I got teary eyed while watching this. Sorry if the same link has been posted here.

https://youtu.be/cVFl9g-9nJI

I did a dream last night :p I dreamed that Mao came on this forum and commented our posts :p

What did she say, Otocho?

I don't exactly remember, she said something like thank you for your support and added an emoticon of a cat   (don't ask me why, maybe because I really love both of my cat and Mao   )

Do you think Mao reads what people say about her in forums like this one ?

Otchoto de mus :3 wrote:

I don't exactly remember, she said something like thank you for your support and added an emoticon of a cat   (don't ask me why, maybe because I really love both of my cat and Mao   )

Do you think Mao reads what people say about her in forums like this one ?

I doubt it, ad I even doubt that she knows this forum exists

Quote :

"MAMA, HOW DID I DO?"
A repayment that reached the heavens.

Asada Mao (23, Chukyo University) received a total of 198.22 points, resulting in 6th place. From her 16th place short program, she came back with her best ever performance. Landing her first successful triple axel of the season, she cleared her personal best with a score of 142.71 points and shone on the grand stage. It’s been four years since she shed those vexing tears over her silver medal finish at the Vancouver Olympics. She lost her mother, Kyoko-san, and the promise she fought for concluded with tears of happiness.

"Mama, how did I do?"

It’s always the same. Ever since she started skating at age five, it’s always been like that. No matter the performance, no matter the competition, she always searched for her. She wanted to hear from her first. The setting had changed, from that small rink in Nagoya to faraway Sochi. And yet, as those tears flowed, she wanted to hear those words. “You did great, Mao.”

Her kind, smiling mother, for sure, would be moved and tremble with a wave of emotions.

Asada: “I was a bit frustrated with yesterday, but I was able to skate the skate I aimed to do. I couldn’t give back to all those who have supported me with a medal, but I’m glad I was able to leave behind my performance, my best performance. I wonder if it was enough to repay her.”

Twenty-two hours ago, she fell on the triple axel in yesterday’s SP and wounded up in 16th place. Struggled to mentally process the loss of a gold medal dream. Returning once again to the rink was because of a sense of gratitude. The desire to repay her beloved mother.

“Why is it always Mai and not me.” She’d always been a jealous one. Her older sister could do everything, and she was a bit of a trouble for her older sister at times. And so, for praise, the tiny girl jumped in hopes of drawing big attention towards her.

“I’ll retire.” The beginning of these words from her mother. Right after Vancouver. It was such an unexpected notice, it felt as if she was all alone right away. They had always been together, at practices, at competitions. Her mother was always watching over her from the boards. She couldn’t help wonder, “Why…”

When her mother learned of the gravity of her illness, she thought of her daughter’s future. If something were to happen, she wanted her daughter to be able to steadily walk her own path. To firmly let go of her daughter.

Asada understood the real reason behind her mother’s decision in May 2011. She learned of the detailed test results behind her mother’s repeated hospital visits. Surgery may not be enough. The reality of the situation threw her. “It might be best if I took a break from skating for a year for mama’s sake,” she considered.

There was hope with a liver transplant. Hearing that, both she and her older sister wanted to be examined. Competitions didn’t matter. There was nothing more important than her mother’s life. But, her mother had something different to say. “My wish is, I want all of you, Papa, Mai, and Mao, to continue giving everything you have in the things you do like you’ve always done.”

With that, her daughter changed. She learned to drive to take herself to the rink. She went to visit her mother on her birthday and everyone surrounded a tiny cake together. It was the first time for such a happy moment. Her mother, of course, was overjoyed.

December 2011. She received a phone call from her father, Toshiji-san, when she was staying in Quebec, Canada for the GP Final. “Her condition isn’t good,” he told her. She withdrew from the competition, quickly rushing to her mother’s side. When she landed at Narita Airport, she received an email from her father, “Mama couldn’t hold on.” When she entered her mother’s room, she called out to her, “It’s Mao!,” many times. But, her mother’s eyes did not open. She passed away so young, at 48, from liver cirrhosis.

A few days later, as usual, you could hear Asada’s voice in a restaurant near Chukyo University. “Papa, this fish here is delicious.” She desperately wanted to show her cheerfulness in front of her worn out father. She wanted to support her family more than anyone else. Because of the promise made to her mother. “Like you’ve always done,” her mother said.

Words weren’t the only thing she received from her mother. There’s also her ability to do the triple axel. In the Asada residence’s garden, there is a huge, round, three meters in diameter trampoline. It’s actually the second one. “When I was born, we had a lot smaller one, I remember jumping on it. Even now, I still use the trampoline.” She talked about how fun it was to defy gravity.

It would appear she has the strength to endure tough injuries. Ever since she was in elementary school, her mother would wrap at corset-esque device for correction purposes. Back in those days, muscle training wasn’t necessary, but her mother still independently studied the theories and had over 100 notebooks on it. For the sake of muscle balance between the left and right side, she not only trained jumping counter-clockwise but clockwise too. Her mother always had her daughter’s future in mind.

On that rink in Sochi, Asada soared. The notes of Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2” began to play. “I can do this.” Twenty-six seconds after she determinedly took off, her left foot kicked up from the ice. She was dancing above it. It was the same feeling as jumping on that trampoline in the garden. Higher and higher. And then.

In that grand stage, she successfully landed it the first time this season. Because of her mother’s support, she still challenges this jump. That’s why she wanted to land it. It was the symbol of the road the two of them walked that she wanted to leave behind. It was the free that represented her entire skating career. And so, all of those joyful days and sorrowful days that were put into it all. The jumps. The spins. The steps. One by one, she traced out the journey she had taken. Four minutes and seven seconds later, when she completed her finishing pose, she looked up towards the heavens. “Like I’ve always done.” Her mother must surely be watching her daughter, who did what she set out to do.

She keeps a picture of her smiling mother by her pillow. It’s a small postcard size she keeps on the nightstand so they’ll always be together wherever. On that night, before she fell asleep, they surely must’ve talked. “Mama, how did I do,” she would ask. “You did great, Mao,” her mother would say.

(By Abe Kengo)

Quote :

Original:  http://www.nikkansports.com/sochi2014/figureskate/news/p-sochi-tp0-20140222-1261037.html

Quote :

Translation credit:  http://ohlovesosweet.tumblr.com/post/78871163876/mao-mama-howd-i-do

ballerinamao wrote:

Otchoto de mus :3 wrote:

I don't exactly remember, she said something like thank you for your support and added an emoticon of a cat   (don't ask me why, maybe because I really love both of my cat and Mao   )

Do you think Mao reads what people say about her in forums like this one ?

I doubt it, ad I even doubt that she knows this forum exists

I believe she is aware of the existence of this forum. We made two projects for her, and just last year she received a banner and a photobook full of messages of encouragement  from the members of Mao Forum and the FB group.




I doubt she has the time to read about what is being written OL about her though.  

klarification wrote:

Quote :

[size=17.6]"MAMA, HOW DID I DO?"[/size]
A repayment that reached the heavens.

Asada Mao (23, Chukyo University) received a total of 198.22 points, resulting in 6th place. From her 16th place short program, she came back with her best ever performance. Landing her first successful triple axel of the season, she cleared her personal best with a score of 142.71 points and shone on the grand stage. It’s been four years since she shed those vexing tears over her silver medal finish at the Vancouver Olympics. She lost her mother, Kyoko-san, and the promise she fought for concluded with tears of happiness.

"Mama, how did I do?"

It’s always the same. Ever since she started skating at age five, it’s always been like that. No matter the performance, no matter the competition, she always searched for her. She wanted to hear from her first. The setting had changed, from that small rink in Nagoya to faraway Sochi. And yet, as those tears flowed, she wanted to hear those words. “You did great, Mao.”

Her kind, smiling mother, for sure, would be moved and tremble with a wave of emotions.

Asada: “I was a bit frustrated with yesterday, but I was able to skate the skate I aimed to do. I couldn’t give back to all those who have supported me with a medal, but I’m glad I was able to leave behind my performance, my best performance. I wonder if it was enough to repay her.”

Twenty-two hours ago, she fell on the triple axel in yesterday’s SP and wounded up in 16th place. Struggled to mentally process the loss of a gold medal dream. Returning once again to the rink was because of a sense of gratitude. The desire to repay her beloved mother.

“Why is it always Mai and not me.” She’d always been a jealous one. Her older sister could do everything, and she was a bit of a trouble for her older sister at times. And so, for praise, the tiny girl jumped in hopes of drawing big attention towards her.

“I’ll retire.” The beginning of these words from her mother. Right after Vancouver. It was such an unexpected notice, it felt as if she was all alone right away. They had always been together, at practices, at competitions. Her mother was always watching over her from the boards. She couldn’t help wonder, “Why…”

When her mother learned of the gravity of her illness, she thought of her daughter’s future. If something were to happen, she wanted her daughter to be able to steadily walk her own path. To firmly let go of her daughter.

Asada understood the real reason behind her mother’s decision in May 2011. She learned of the detailed test results behind her mother’s repeated hospital visits. Surgery may not be enough. The reality of the situation threw her. “It might be best if I took a break from skating for a year for mama’s sake,” she considered.

There was hope with a liver transplant. Hearing that, both she and her older sister wanted to be examined. Competitions didn’t matter. There was nothing more important than her mother’s life. But, her mother had something different to say. “My wish is, I want all of you, Papa, Mai, and Mao, to continue giving everything you have in the things you do like you’ve always done.”

With that, her daughter changed. She learned to drive to take herself to the rink. She went to visit her mother on her birthday and everyone surrounded a tiny cake together. It was the first time for such a happy moment. Her mother, of course, was overjoyed.

December 2011. She received a phone call from her father, Toshiji-san, when she was staying in Quebec, Canada for the GP Final. “Her condition isn’t good,” he told her. She withdrew from the competition, quickly rushing to her mother’s side. When she landed at Narita Airport, she received an email from her father, “Mama couldn’t hold on.” When she entered her mother’s room, she called out to her, “It’s Mao!,” many times. But, her mother’s eyes did not open. She passed away so young, at 48, from liver cirrhosis.

A few days later, as usual, you could hear Asada’s voice in a restaurant near Chukyo University. “Papa, this fish here is delicious.” She desperately wanted to show her cheerfulness in front of her worn out father. She wanted to support her family more than anyone else. Because of the promise made to her mother. “Like you’ve always done,” her mother said.

Words weren’t the only thing she received from her mother. There’s also her ability to do the triple axel. In the Asada residence’s garden, there is a huge, round, three meters in diameter trampoline. It’s actually the second one. “When I was born, we had a lot smaller one, I remember jumping on it. Even now, I still use the trampoline.” She talked about how fun it was to defy gravity.

It would appear she has the strength to endure tough injuries. Ever since she was in elementary school, her mother would wrap at corset-esque device for correction purposes. Back in those days, muscle training wasn’t necessary, but her mother still independently studied the theories and had over 100 notebooks on it. For the sake of muscle balance between the left and right side, she not only trained jumping counter-clockwise but clockwise too. Her mother always had her daughter’s future in mind.

On that rink in Sochi, Asada soared. The notes of Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2” began to play. “I can do this.” Twenty-six seconds after she determinedly took off, her left foot kicked up from the ice. She was dancing above it. It was the same feeling as jumping on that trampoline in the garden. Higher and higher. And then.

In that grand stage, she successfully landed it the first time this season. Because of her mother’s support, she still challenges this jump. That’s why she wanted to land it. It was the symbol of the road the two of them walked that she wanted to leave behind. It was the free that represented her entire skating career. And so, all of those joyful days and sorrowful days that were put into it all. The jumps. The spins. The steps. One by one, she traced out the journey she had taken. Four minutes and seven seconds later, when she completed her finishing pose, she looked up towards the heavens. “Like I’ve always done.” Her mother must surely be watching her daughter, who did what she set out to do.

She keeps a picture of her smiling mother by her pillow. It’s a small postcard size she keeps on the nightstand so they’ll always be together wherever. On that night, before she fell asleep, they surely must’ve talked. “Mama, how did I do,” she would ask. “You did great, Mao,” her mother would say.

(By Abe Kengo)

Quote :

Original:  http://www.nikkansports.com/sochi2014/figureskate/news/p-sochi-tp0-20140222-1261037.html

Quote :

Translation credit:  http://ohlovesosweet.tumblr.com/post/78871163876/mao-mama-howd-i-do

      

sweetdream wrote:

klarification wrote:

Quote :

[size=17.77777862548828]"MAMA, HOW DID I DO?"[/size]
A repayment that reached the heavens.

Asada Mao (23, Chukyo University) received a total of 198.22 points, resulting in 6th place. From her 16th place short program, she came back with her best ever performance. Landing her first successful triple axel of the season, she cleared her personal best with a score of 142.71 points and shone on the grand stage. It’s been four years since she shed those vexing tears over her silver medal finish at the Vancouver Olympics. She lost her mother, Kyoko-san, and the promise she fought for concluded with tears of happiness.

"Mama, how did I do?"

It’s always the same. Ever since she started skating at age five, it’s always been like that. No matter the performance, no matter the competition, she always searched for her. She wanted to hear from her first. The setting had changed, from that small rink in Nagoya to faraway Sochi. And yet, as those tears flowed, she wanted to hear those words. “You did great, Mao.”

Her kind, smiling mother, for sure, would be moved and tremble with a wave of emotions.

Asada: “I was a bit frustrated with yesterday, but I was able to skate the skate I aimed to do. I couldn’t give back to all those who have supported me with a medal, but I’m glad I was able to leave behind my performance, my best performance. I wonder if it was enough to repay her.”

Twenty-two hours ago, she fell on the triple axel in yesterday’s SP and wounded up in 16th place. Struggled to mentally process the loss of a gold medal dream. Returning once again to the rink was because of a sense of gratitude. The desire to repay her beloved mother.

“Why is it always Mai and not me.” She’d always been a jealous one. Her older sister could do everything, and she was a bit of a trouble for her older sister at times. And so, for praise, the tiny girl jumped in hopes of drawing big attention towards her.

“I’ll retire.” The beginning of these words from her mother. Right after Vancouver. It was such an unexpected notice, it felt as if she was all alone right away. They had always been together, at practices, at competitions. Her mother was always watching over her from the boards. She couldn’t help wonder, “Why…”

When her mother learned of the gravity of her illness, she thought of her daughter’s future. If something were to happen, she wanted her daughter to be able to steadily walk her own path. To firmly let go of her daughter.

Asada understood the real reason behind her mother’s decision in May 2011. She learned of the detailed test results behind her mother’s repeated hospital visits. Surgery may not be enough. The reality of the situation threw her. “It might be best if I took a break from skating for a year for mama’s sake,” she considered.

There was hope with a liver transplant. Hearing that, both she and her older sister wanted to be examined. Competitions didn’t matter. There was nothing more important than her mother’s life. But, her mother had something different to say. “My wish is, I want all of you, Papa, Mai, and Mao, to continue giving everything you have in the things you do like you’ve always done.”

With that, her daughter changed. She learned to drive to take herself to the rink. She went to visit her mother on her birthday and everyone surrounded a tiny cake together. It was the first time for such a happy moment. Her mother, of course, was overjoyed.

December 2011. She received a phone call from her father, Toshiji-san, when she was staying in Quebec, Canada for the GP Final. “Her condition isn’t good,” he told her. She withdrew from the competition, quickly rushing to her mother’s side. When she landed at Narita Airport, she received an email from her father, “Mama couldn’t hold on.” When she entered her mother’s room, she called out to her, “It’s Mao!,” many times. But, her mother’s eyes did not open. She passed away so young, at 48, from liver cirrhosis.

A few days later, as usual, you could hear Asada’s voice in a restaurant near Chukyo University. “Papa, this fish here is delicious.” She desperately wanted to show her cheerfulness in front of her worn out father. She wanted to support her family more than anyone else. Because of the promise made to her mother. “Like you’ve always done,” her mother said.

Words weren’t the only thing she received from her mother. There’s also her ability to do the triple axel. In the Asada residence’s garden, there is a huge, round, three meters in diameter trampoline. It’s actually the second one. “When I was born, we had a lot smaller one, I remember jumping on it. Even now, I still use the trampoline.” She talked about how fun it was to defy gravity.

It would appear she has the strength to endure tough injuries. Ever since she was in elementary school, her mother would wrap at corset-esque device for correction purposes. Back in those days, muscle training wasn’t necessary, but her mother still independently studied the theories and had over 100 notebooks on it. For the sake of muscle balance between the left and right side, she not only trained jumping counter-clockwise but clockwise too. Her mother always had her daughter’s future in mind.

On that rink in Sochi, Asada soared. The notes of Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2” began to play. “I can do this.” Twenty-six seconds after she determinedly took off, her left foot kicked up from the ice. She was dancing above it. It was the same feeling as jumping on that trampoline in the garden. Higher and higher. And then.

In that grand stage, she successfully landed it the first time this season. Because of her mother’s support, she still challenges this jump. That’s why she wanted to land it. It was the symbol of the road the two of them walked that she wanted to leave behind. It was the free that represented her entire skating career. And so, all of those joyful days and sorrowful days that were put into it all. The jumps. The spins. The steps. One by one, she traced out the journey she had taken. Four minutes and seven seconds later, when she completed her finishing pose, she looked up towards the heavens. “Like I’ve always done.” Her mother must surely be watching her daughter, who did what she set out to do.

She keeps a picture of her smiling mother by her pillow. It’s a small postcard size she keeps on the nightstand so they’ll always be together wherever. On that night, before she fell asleep, they surely must’ve talked. “Mama, how did I do,” she would ask. “You did great, Mao,” her mother would say.

(By Abe Kengo)

Quote :

Original:  http://www.nikkansports.com/sochi2014/figureskate/news/p-sochi-tp0-20140222-1261037.html

Quote :

Translation credit:  http://ohlovesosweet.tumblr.com/post/78871163876/mao-mama-howd-i-do

      

My eyes must be sweating.   

That was a beautifully written article, thanks for posting it!
Mao definitely gets her strong personality from her mother.
How hard it must have been to honor her mother's wishes not to be examine for the transplant...
The love of a mother, wanting her family to be able to move on "like you've have always done"
tissues please!

zarinaballerina wrote:

Guys, there are rumours on other boards that the tech controller at worlds is going to be Amano.       

I hope they're wrong, or that if he is there, he's going to be judging men instead. Come on ISU!
And if they are right, what are the odds he'll be fair towards Mao? There were reports that he wanted to ratify her 3A at GPF SP, but couldn't due to the Korean specialist, so I'm hoping against hope that he'll take mercy on Mao.    

oh no hope it's just a rumor.   
In the FS of GPF 2013, a man behind me booed at him during the panel introduction.  I was very surprised.  I knew people were frustrated with his sneaky judgements but I never imagined that Japanese audience would boo at a judge/caller.  I heard later there were some other people in the audience who booed at him.  I suppose he will face a bigger boo should he make another sneaky judgement at worlds.  

MyMao wrote:

I got teary eyed while watching this. Sorry if the same link has been posted here.

https://youtu.be/cVFl9g-9nJI

Thanks MyMao for the link! Very beautiful and emotional clip.  

Thanks klarification for the article.  

It doesn't matter if Amano is the tech controller. I'm hoping that he'll be fair to Mao as he
seemed to have been in her Sochi LP. If he again becomes biased and unfair to her in her possibly last competition, then he will forever be berated by the figure skating community world wide for
the rest of his life. I don't think he wants that.

But you know, sigh... I just want to see Mao on the ice doing what she loves, not caring about her results and just being an artist and elevating people's understanding of what beauty can be.

^ ^ ^ I hope it's just a rumor about Amano...it would be too obvious to have him as TC-er twice this season, both major events and both in Japan....But anyway, it doesn't matter as much now. I'm just looking forward to seeing Mao again once she's reached a new level of skating and succeeded in reaching her goal from the past 4 years.

BTW, here's another post-Sochi interview of Mao, broadcasted last night:
https://youtu.be/Y2mVWHjx4Io

The interviewer is Takahashi Naoko, who was a Jpn OGM in woman's marathon. The clip is more about Mao's 3A...again. It was interesting to see Midori watching Mao's 1st 3A in formal competition. Oh, and there is a segment about how Yuna attempted 3A (but obvious quite difficult for her).

COHK wrote:

^ ^ ^ I hope it's just a rumor about Amano...it would be too obvious to have him as TC-er twice this season, both major events and both in Japan....But anyway, it doesn't matter as much now. I'm just looking forward to seeing Mao again once she's reached a new level of skating and succeeded in reaching her goal from the past 4 years.

BTW, here's another post-Sochi interview of Mao, broadcasted last night:
https://youtu.be/Y2mVWHjx4Io

The interviewer is Takahashi Naoko, who was a Jpn OGM in woman's marathon. The clip is more about Mao's 3A...again. It was interesting to see Midori watching Mao's 1st 3A in formal competition. Oh, and there is a segment about how Yuna attempted 3A (but obvious quite difficult for her).

I don't care about Amano at this point. Seeing Mao compete is more than enough for me.  

Again with the focus on the 3A and a mention of Yuna! *sigh* The hype is just... MEH. Mao is so much more than the 3A and that media-popularized rivalry. I wonder why the media keeps focusing on these themes when it comes to Mao. Obviously 3A is an important marketable story for them, the rivalry even more so.

On Yuna and her 3A, I think that was part of her reason why she switched to Orser in her transition to Senior Level. She wanted to master the 3A, but her spine injury happened before she could successfully land 3As. So Orser decided to optimize her other jumps and elements. I also don't think her jumping technique is conducive to a 3A...