Mao Asada: “The most nerve-wracking performance? Short program at the Sochi Olympics. I was too nervous. I couldn’t control it, and the tension turned into fear.”
Mao Asada about her post-retirement life, health and the most nerve-racking performance of her life.
original source: news.yahoo.co.jp
Mao Asada, the 2010 Vancouver Olympics silver medalist in women’s figure skating, attended a “Special Talk Show” in Tokyo on the 28th July where she discussed her post-retirement life, shared tips on maintaining her health, talked about the most nerve-racking performance of her life and reflected on her Olympic experiences. Here’s a translation of her comments.
As an ambassador for Airweave, a brand committed to improving sleep quality, Asada reflected on her relationships with sleep, “When I can’t sleep, I feel dazed. The day ends without feeling refreshed,” she said, emphasizing the importance of sleep. “When I get enough sleep, I can spend the day feeling more positive.”
Asada said that she “makes an effort to get eight hours of sleep,” whether during her active years or after her retirement. She makes sure to get at least six hours of sleep.
She also expressed her love for aromatherapy, which provides her relaxation and healing. “I drop oil on my pillow to improve the quality of sleep,” mentioning jasmine, lavender, and ylang-ylang as her favorite scents.
Asada recalled her most nerve-wracking performance was during the Short Program at the Sochi Olympics, “SP at the Sochi Olympics. I was more nervous than I’ve ever been before.”
“I think I have to be nervous during the real thing. If I’m not nervous, I won’t be able to perform at my best,” she shared.
“I was too nervous. I couldn’t control it, and the tension turned into fear…” she recalled her feelings at the time. “I remember being more nervous than I’ve ever been,” she said frankly. Despite the unexpected results (shea placed 16th after the short program), Asada said, “It actually helped me to think, ‘It’s okay to fail now. I just have to go for it.'” With her mindset shifted, her performance in the Free Skate the next day was flawless.
“Even now, my skating can change dramatically depending on my mental state and thoughts”, she said. Smiling, she expressed, “Figure skating is indeed profound.”
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