Mao Asada: “I was focused on winning. But now I realize it’s not just about that. The Olympics were very frustrating but there were people around me who said, ‘It’s not about the result, it’s about emotions,’ which was more than a relief.”
Mao Asada about her upcoming show and Olympic experiences.
origianl source: Nikkansports dd. 24th April 2024 by Kengo Abe
Mao Asada (33) is preparing for her “world’s first” ice show at the 10-year mark since she performed her free program at the Sochi Olympics. The ice show is titled “Everlasting33” and the debute performance will be held in theater with a live orchestra.
During her competitive career, a smooth glide sound was the target. “But when I asked those who are learning to skate, they want to glide with a sound. They say it feels good when you glide and it makes a ‘whoosh’ sound,” said Mao. In the theater, they want to resonate that sound. “We are accompanied by a live orchestra, we ourselves may well get moved and excited.”
Her continuous endeavor from her competition era is still unchanged, now eight years after her retirement. With the Paris Olympics coming up this summer, 2024 will be the tenth anniversary of the Sochi Olympics, where her ‘legendary free program’ took place.
“Eh! Too soon, way too soon!”
She has a personality that doesn’t look back. But when asked how her performances at the Olympics have been influencing her life, she told in the interview:
“When I thought I couldn’t do it anymore, I thought to myself, ‘I’m fine because I was able to overcome all the pressure in Sochi and Vancouver.’ Never giving up no matter what happened as an athlete and overcoming everything with my own strength is still a huge strength to me now.”
The strength of her feelings. It was something she struggled with, to overcome her natural weakness and ‘do whatever it takes.’
“I was focused on winning. But now I realize it’s not just about that. (Machiko) Yamada-sensei always used to say, ‘Be a skater who is loved, who stays in their memories.’ The Olympics were very frustrating for me, but there were also people around me who said, ‘It’s not about the result, it’ about emotions,’ which was more than a relief. There are times in life when things don’t go well, but there’s a reason. I think there will be a time like that someday, even if it’s not the Olympics.”
Now, her dream of creating her own skate rink, which she had “lightly” pictured in her 20’s, is getting closer to reality. “MAO RINK” will be completed in Tokyo’s Tachikawa City this autumn. Including the shows, she is moving forward in life to explore unknown territories. “I want to keep paving the way for new things.”
Speaking of which, about the pledge she made a year ago to jump a triple axel again “Of course, I haven’t given up (laughs). I’ll do it by 35. Once I say it, I have to do it!”
Related topics: Mao Asada
Legendary free program indeed! Mao definitely stayed in our memories.
When it was over and she burst into tears, so many of us watching, myself included, started crying too. A skate for the ages.