Friday, 11 November 2011

Asada Watch: NHK Trophy 2011 (Part One)

I'm just about to head to bed and get some sleep, but I thought I might set up this Asada watch now, before the live airing at 10 am. 

At the NHK, all eyes will be on Mao-chan as she aims to redeem herself from a rather dismal season last year. Fresh from a her silver medal victory at Vancouver and the subsequent gold at Torino in 2010 (her second World Title), she plummeted down to off the podium at 6th place the year after. It sounds bad, but actually, it was all for the better especially since Mao's goal is for the long-term. This would obviously be due to the new coaching of Nobuo Sato, who together with Mao, planned to take apart her jump technique and straighten out bad habits she developed over the years. While the world kept their eyes on her as she took each and every fall, it was bittersweet to watch a two-time World Champion fall to pieces. Nevertheless, it just has to be said that there is nothing to be embarrassed or shameful for because it just showed the degree of dedication and love Mao has for her sport. To have a public display of a deeply personal move to improve and progress takes guts and total chutzpah that despite the poor showing, you just have to let that go and admire from the sidelines. To be perfectly honest, a 'bad' Mao is still better than most 'good' skaters out there. And that's counting the jumpy Russian babies who are looking to set up a start to their senior careers. 

In any case, I shall be tuning in all morning for the live airings. Don't miss it!
xoxo

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