"MAO RINK" has opened in Tachikawa, western Tokyo

Sylvia

Flight #5342: I Will Remember You
Messages
84,278
I think this very good news deserves its own thread! :)

This 6-minute video feature includes an interview with Mao Asada (November 8, 2024):
November 8, 2024 article:

Google translation:
A ceremony was held on the 8th ahead of the opening (11th) at MAO RINK (Tachikawa, Tokyo), an ice skating rink produced by Mao Asada (34), the women's silver medalist at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

The facility will feature an international standard main rink measuring 60m x 30m, capable of hosting competitions and ice shows, as well as one of Japan's largest sub-rinks, measuring 40m x 24m.

Asada, who has realized her dream since her active days to be involved in the construction of the skating rink herself, said in her greeting, "I want to do my best as a skater so that this 'Mao Rink' that many people will visit will be loved forever." She immediately performed a special performance with the kids skaters on the main rink.

After the ceremony, a skating class was held, attended by about 20 kindergarten children from Tachikawa City. Asada carefully taught the beginners how to skate. In the future, the facility will open a school where people can experience figure skating, and an academy to train figure skaters.

After the ceremony, Asada spoke to reporters, saying, "My next goal is to train skaters from this Mao rink who can become world champions. I was happy to see the children skating with shining smiles on their faces today."


May 28, 2024 article in English about the project:
Excerpts:
The "Mao Rink" complex scheduled to be constructed in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, features an exhibition centered on the 2010 Olympic silver medalist and is backed by a real estate company with historical ties to the area it hopes to revitalize through the project.
The project began taking shape two years ago when Asada pitched the idea directly to Masamichi Murayama, the president of Tachihi Holdings Co., which has a long history of undertaking real estate projects in the area. She spoke passionately for around 20 minutes, detailing her vision for the ice rink while never once glancing down at her notes.
"My employees didn't even wait for my go-ahead to start drawing up plans" when the meeting was over, Murayama, 72, said.
Two skating rinks, a main and sub arena, will be built on a 9,000-square-meter site a short walk from Tachihi Station on the Tama Toshi Monorail Line. The complex will also include a training facility, ballet studio, restaurant geared towards athlete nutrition and an exhibition space for displaying Asada's medals and costumes.
With a seating capacity for a crowd of 1,000 people, the skating rink will also allow Asada to realize her wish of continuing to "provide entertainment" to the public as a professional skater. The exterior will incorporate gold, silver and bronze colors.
 

Sylvia

Flight #5342: I Will Remember You
Messages
84,278
Posted by @YukiNieve on Sept. 12, 2024 in the Japanese news thread:
Mao Rink, Mao Asada's project to provide more skating opportunities for all levels of skaters, will open sometime in November in Tokyo this year and its website has just been launched.

It has two rinks, training facilities, a restaurant with outdoor seating, a gallery, a shop and a studio.

It will have public sessions, hourly rentals and it can also hold ice shows.
Link:

Maia and Alex Shibutani attended the opening ceremony (4 photos):

Satomi Ito designed the dress Mao performed in (4 photos): https://x.com/satomiitodesign/status/1855921867854315930
 

Sylvia

Flight #5342: I Will Remember You
Messages
84,278
Mao has shared 4 sets of photos on her Instagram account :):
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top
Do Not Sell My Personal Information