Mao Asada announces her retirement from competition (share your favorite memories here!)

I don't know what she said but it was a little sad because she started crying at the end. Thanks for the link rosewood. I just hope that she can get over it and be happy. She gave so much of herself. Her skating, her personality and her spirit are so beautiful and resilient.
 
Quick summary: She felt she did all out at Japan Nats. Even in the K'C she felt so. Placing 12th which was the worst placement in her whole career played a role regarding letting her decide to retire. The final decision was made in February by herself. She talked about it with her family & close friends but basically she decided it by herself. She needed time to announce her retirement for preparing this and that as well as letting her mentally settled. Today she felt great to have this opportunity and get her new life started.
 
One thing that let her take time to make a final decision was that she always kept her words she said in public. She once said she'll continue competing till next Olys so she was not willing to break her word. That said, after making a good start in her comeback season, she struggled a lot. She managed to finish the first season after the comeback, but the second season (which is this season) was a very tough one. So she felt she did enough in her endeavor when she saw the results in K'C. She repeated the word "I have nothing to regret in a life as a competitive skater," so I felt she was satisfied with everything that she did as her challenge. (I mean she was ready to accept she can't do any more at the point of finishing Nats.) I'm happy to see she was satisfied with her life as a competitive skater and she was excited about her new stage. (Err, is my English OK?)
 
rosewood said:
One thing that let her take time to make a final decision was that she always kept her words she said in public. She once said she'll continue competing till next Olys so she was not willing to break her word. That said, after making a good start in her comeback season, she struggled a lot. She managed to finish the first season after the comeback, but the second season (which is this season) was a very tough one. So she felt she did enough in her endeavor when she saw the results in K'C. She repeated the word "I have nothing to regret in a life as a competitive skater," so I felt she was satisfied with everything that she did as her challenge. (I mean she was ready to accept she can't do any more at the point of finishing Nats.) I'm happy to see she was satisfied with her life as a competitive skater and she was excited about her new stage. (Err, is my English OK?)
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yes, many people is saying that they are not surprised with her announce, but I was really surprised because when she says something, she just do it. Anyway, I am glad she understand that her happiness is the most important thing.
 
She got emotional in the end of the conference when she was asked to say a message to her fans. I guess she felt it was the real moment that her life as a competitive skater gets finally finished. It was not a sad tears. It was a nice moment that the media people (it was announced in the beginning of the conference that about 40 TV cameras and over 350 media people were there. Isn't it awesome? As long as I know I haven't seen NHK had a live coverage of a retirment press conference of any female athlete. Sumo wrestler ? maybe.) tried to cheer her up when she got emotional and choked up. She's been always surrounded with smiles from people who met her directly. :)
 
When she was asked about any word which comes to her mind when she looks back her career, she said "gratitude." She owed her longevity as well as being able to get over difficulties to support from people.

When she was asked about THE ICE, she said she'll make a new program in which she put everything from her whole career to show to her fans. (From how she talked about her plan in this spring-summer, it sounded to me that she doesn't have any plan to skate in WTT at this point @Spun Silver. )
 
I can only say I have never seen such magnificent performances by a retiring athlete as Mao's this past season and last. She did not look like someone who should retire to me - just someone who was injured and needed to heal. But apparently her injury was a sort that skating on her level aggravated. To me she did not go out on the low note of Japanese Nationals, which I didn't see, but on the high note of those fierce and daring Amor Brujo programs and the demanding, exquisite Bach exhibition.

One thing about Japanese skaters in general, and definitely Mao, is that show skating is not trivial for them. In the US shows like SOI are often cheesy and silly. Skaters often do only one or two easier jumps in their programs. (Of course there are the Nathan Chens who go out and destroy themselves but he will learn.) But Japanese skaters treat show audiences with enormous respect and skate their best for them. For that reason I think there is much more of Mao's skating to come. Hopefully with Lori's continued collaboration, she can have a John Curry-like post-competitive career... some of it in the USA, I hope!

Thank you, Mao!
 
Spun Silver said:
I can only say I have never seen such magnificent performances by a retiring athlete as Mao's this past season and last. She did not look like someone who should retire to me - just someone who was injured and needed to heal. But apparently her injury was a sort that skating on her level aggravated. To me she did not go out on the low note of Japanese Nationals, which I didn't see, but on the high note of those fierce and daring Amor Brujo programs and the demanding, exquisite Bach exhibition.

One thing about Japanese skaters in general, and definitely Mao, is that show skating is not trivial for them. In the US shows like SOI are often cheesy and silly. Skaters often do only one or two easier jumps in their programs. (Of course there are the Nathan Chens who go out and destroy themselves but he will learn.) But Japanese skaters treat show audiences with enormous respect and skate their best for them. For that reason I think there is much more of Mao's skating to come. Hopefully with Lori's continued collaboration, she can have a John Curry-like post-competitive career... some of it in the USA, I hope!

Thank you, Mao!
Click to expand...

so true, I have so much respect toward Shizuka because honestly her programs and skating after her retire are even more beautiful and impressive, I hope Mao follow a similar route.
 
I thought Rafael Summed up Asada well when he said her biggest strength was not the tripe axel but her beautiful skating although I loved the triple axel.

I think retiring seems right and while I know Japan has only two spots they have Lot of young talent in ladies for the future. Her country is in a good place for the future.
 
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My rough translation of messages from skaters, coaches and other notable people. (6)

Midori Ito: Otsukaresama (=you did great and you must be tired) for your 21 years, Mao-chan. I'm so glad to hear you have no regrets in your life so far as a figure skater. And, Mao-chan, thank you very much for your endeavor for continuing challenging 3A. You showed your challenges through "Mao Asada's skate." Your smiles and tears. You were loved by lots of people. You were an absolutely gorgeous skater. I'm so much proud of you for all of this. Your life in your future is longer than the past. Stay as you are. I'm wishing your future will be a bright one. I truly want to say otsukaresama (=you did great and you must be tired) to you.

Comments from government executive officials:
Ms Marukawa, Minister in charge of Olympics: While she was not able to win a gold at a stage of Olympics, her presence and her brilliance themselves were a gold medal.
Mr Suga, the chief cabinet secretary: She's a wonderful athlete who changed images of figure skating drastically. She showed wonderful performances to our nation. In that meaning she's a very rare athlete who's been loved by her fans for a long time.
Mr Kato, Minister in Charge of Promoting Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens: She'll set her new dreams and goals. I'm looking forward to seeing her going forward on a new path toward the new dreams and goals in the near future.
 
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