FIGURE SKATING

Asada promises to overcome lackluster start to season

Wednesday 28th October, 04:58 AM JST

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

› Login to comment

14 Comments

some14some at 06:35 AM JST - 28th October

what Asada promises is good and she may get further inspiration from Fukuhara Ai. Asahi News may have a life-time job for her, just check it.
hellhound at 07:56 AM JST - 28th October

Boring sports dot com
isthistheend at 10:42 AM JST - 28th October

ANd who cares about this? Welcome to the world of sports. And contact Ian Polter if you need a shoulder to cry on.
Junnama at 10:45 AM JST - 28th October

I must agree with her: her performance has been pitiful. She was beat by complete nobodies in the Russia Cup.
Altria at 10:46 AM JST - 28th October

"Nah, I pretty much plan to keep sucking for the rest of the season"

What else is she going to say?!
chewbakayaro at 11:16 AM JST - 28th October

I'm not a big fan of skating either - the figure or that hockey variety - but I did catch that French competition a couple of weeks back (for lack of nothing else worthwhile on TV). Kim Yu-na is in a class by herself. Her short program where she performs as a Bond girl was solid, classy, and sassy. Asada's costume was garish, the music was morbid, and she lacks any of the style and femininity that Kim had (perhaps she should consider a career walking up and down Takeshita Dori in Harajuku - would fit right in). If she's Japan's best hope, then skating fans here are in for a long, cold winter.
terebiko at 11:49 AM JST - 28th October

chewbakayaro, you do know Asada's record, don't you? I agree that her music is morbid this time around, and her performances have been pretty bad. She seems to get unglued after she misses the first triple. Up until this year, Asada and Kim have been in a class by themselves, but this year it looks like Kim is still there, and Asada is playing hookie. Hopefully she'll get back on track soon.
sasukene at 12:35 PM JST - 28th October

Maybe it is a case of Mao-chan appearing in too many TV ads and not concentrating on her training?
techall at 12:39 PM JST - 28th October

Kim Yu-na is HOT! I don't see how the keep the ice frozen with her on it.
chewbakayaro at 12:39 PM JST - 28th October

Whatever her record is, she's got the femininity of an elementary schooler. Kim's style points alone should wipe out the competition.
smithinjapan at 06:58 PM JST - 28th October

Once again this is an example of too much pressure and a whole lot of overblowing by the media. The Japanese women skaters either finish first or go WAY down in the standings... there is no happy medium. The other skaters tend to be more consistant, it seems, and if this is any indication of how Vancouver's going to go, Kim Yu-Na will take it and Mao will be left in the dust... errr... ice shavings?
sk4ek at 03:59 PM JST - 29th October

As a commentator for the Japan Times pointed out, Mao needs to dump her current coach and find someone who will focus on working with her. Her coach has put together a challenging program for her, but she's done little to help push her to the next level competitively, and seems to be putting her own convenience ahead of Mao's training needs.
Hotbox08 at 10:39 PM JST - 29th October

Isn't Mao's current coach, Shizuka Arakawa's former former coach ? I heard that Arakawa dumped her because she prefered a coach who could actually skate on the ice and instruct accordingly. The result was that she ended up winning the gold medal in Torino. I think that coach is now instructing Miki Ando.
Blue_Tiger at 07:34 PM JST - 30th October

Asada's problem is that her handler's are forcing her to "grow up" too soon. She went from cute, girly outfits and routines that won her praise and championships to outrageously revealing dresses and over-the-top routines that have hobbled her performance. Her Korean Rival, Kim Yunna, on the other hand, has been allowed to mature gracefully, which is why she's winning, winning, and winning some more, and will be the favorite in the upcoming Winter Games.