Thank you for bringing up Midori Ito.
She certainly was a jumping genius even during her earlier years...1981-86.
Perhaps most relevant to current discussion is how her injuries and ISU rules impacted her career.
Around 1982-83, she injured her ankle and she did not return till 83-84 Junior Season. She managed to get Bronze at 1984 Junior Worlds (actually also known as 83 NHK in Sapporo, this Junior World Medal was required to allow her to compete in Senior event such as Olympics), and was all set to compete in 84 OLY, but she fell trying 2Ax at JPN Senior Nats SP, and was only allowed to compete at 84 Worlds (Ottawa). This is the only time, IIRC, she actually fell trying 2Ax, her most secure jump. This is because she competed as Junior, the entire season, using the same program where she was only allowed to jump 1Ax as a Junior, since 2Ax was forbidden in Junior Ladies SP Axel type jump, back then. Her relatively quick recovery from the first injury is clearly evident in 84 NHK performance.
The 2nd major injury to her ankle occured just before 1985 Worlds (Tokyo). Since puberty hit around the same time, it did take a long time for her to regain competitive form. Even at 86 Worlds (Geneva), she was not fully recovered, IMHO. She gradually improved 86-88, and she was fully back to her competitive form by 87 NHK and 88 Olympics (aged 18). 1988-90 was highlight years of her career (aged 18-20).
She certainly was a jumping genius even during her earlier years...1981-86.
Perhaps most relevant to current discussion is how her injuries and ISU rules impacted her career.
Around 1982-83, she injured her ankle and she did not return till 83-84 Junior Season. She managed to get Bronze at 1984 Junior Worlds (actually also known as 83 NHK in Sapporo, this Junior World Medal was required to allow her to compete in Senior event such as Olympics), and was all set to compete in 84 OLY, but she fell trying 2Ax at JPN Senior Nats SP, and was only allowed to compete at 84 Worlds (Ottawa). This is the only time, IIRC, she actually fell trying 2Ax, her most secure jump. This is because she competed as Junior, the entire season, using the same program where she was only allowed to jump 1Ax as a Junior, since 2Ax was forbidden in Junior Ladies SP Axel type jump, back then. Her relatively quick recovery from the first injury is clearly evident in 84 NHK performance.
The 2nd major injury to her ankle occured just before 1985 Worlds (Tokyo). Since puberty hit around the same time, it did take a long time for her to regain competitive form. Even at 86 Worlds (Geneva), she was not fully recovered, IMHO. She gradually improved 86-88, and she was fully back to her competitive form by 87 NHK and 88 Olympics (aged 18). 1988-90 was highlight years of her career (aged 18-20).
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