Suzuki aiming higher following best season of career

[japanice]

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sp20120516it.html

[Sylvia]

From the Japan Times article linked above:

[Akiko] Suzuki acknowledged that she was fortunate, because the company she works for — Toho Real Estate — has exactly what she needs in terms of resources.

"The company I belong to has its own skating rink, so I have a great training environment," she said. "So I have no need to go outside Japan. Many skaters go overseas looking for training places just because we don't have a great environment for training. But I have a wonderful environment for training, so I don't need to go outside.

Akiko Suzuki's May 8th blog entry, titled "Big Surprise," mentions a reception last week held in her honor by her company (about 170 of her co-workers showed up) with a surprise guest appearance : http://ameblo.jp/suzuki-akko/entry-11244954421.html
Related news video (Japanese TV): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNCY2qJsyI8

Thanks for posting the article!

[Bonita]

I love her skating so much. She has a light from within that cannot be taught. I applaud her honesty about her ED.

[blue_idealist]

I didn't know she works in real estate, interesting.

[idee123]

Great,interesting and honest interview. Thanks for the link.
I am happy that she continues skating and competing.
Actually I never been a big fan of her.
But I really enjoyed her long program this season and she won me over.
Looking forward to her next season.

[shan]

I read that whole article excerpt as "Suguri" not "Suzuki".

[RunnersHigh]

I read that whole article excerpt as "Suguri" not "Suzuki".

[arakwafan2006]

I really love this interview. She is an amazing woman

[skatesindreams]

What a lovely young woman.
I wish her continued success.

[IceJunkie]

I read that whole article excerpt as "Suguri" not "Suzuki".

I made the same mistake!

[briancoogaert]

I read that whole article excerpt as "Suguri" not "Suzuki".

That was my first thought when I read the thread title. But when I opened it, I said : no, impossible, it might but Suzuki, not Suguri. LOL

[spikydurian]

I always have a soft spot for Akiko although she may not be in the league of Yuna and Mao. It must be her big warm smile and genuine honest persona. She doesn't seem to have the foreign support like some of her colleagues but yet she continues to skate and share her skating with us. Hope she continues skating as long as she wants to.

[TwizzlerS]

I read the title quickly and I thought it said "Suzuki aiming higher following breast cancer".

[AndyWarhol]

I can't believe she works as well as skates!

[feraina]

I can't believe she works as well as skates!

I imagine she's working as that company's spokesperson.

[AndyWarhol]

^^ oh yes, that would make sense...

[mikeko]

I think she works at Howa Sports Land, the ice rink owned by Howa Real Estate.

[Katarzyna]

Japanice - thank you for posting that interview!

I adore Akiko Suzuki and I’m happy she continues with eligible skating and it’s good to know that she has good training conditions so she does not have to move abroad. It’s also good to hear that she is working for a real estate company, which might be another direction besides becoming a choreographer she can move to after her skating career. It’s always good to have more than one professional supporting leg.

I found her comments regarding the way how she sets up herself mentally most interesting. Also the remarks about her not being in a “zone” when competing – even when watching her on TV you get a feeling that she skates for the audience not only in exhibitions, but even in competition.