Mao Shimada: “Lori Nichol always chooses songs that I’ve never heard before or that no one else is using.”

Mao Shimada about her new free program and upcoming season.

original source: sportiva.shueisha.co.jp dd. 18th August by Yamamoto Yumeko

Mao Shimada revealed her new free program for the 2024/2025 season. Here’s a translation of her comments.

In July, during the junior training camp, Mao Shimada worked on a free skate using the song “Mado Kara Mieru,” which includes Japanese lyrics. The song was selected by choreographer Lori Nichol in response to Shimada’s request to try something “Japanese-like.”

When Nichol first suggested this song, Shimada said, “I thought it was good because the song has dynamics. Also, it’s completely different from last year’s music, so I was excited from before the choreography was even made, wondering what kind of choreography it would be.”

“Teacher Lori always chooses songs that I’ve never heard before or that no one else is using, so I think she really listens to a lot of music to find and select them,” said Mao.

At the training camp, Shimada also received advice on her program from Daisuke Takahashi. “Even though it’s the same choreography, what I do and what Teacher Takahashi does are completely different.”

As for the jumps, last summer, she struggled significantly with the quadruple toe loop, but this year, she says it’s “feeling good.”

Related topics: Mao Shimada