The Mao cheer thread #3 - "For the love of skating"

[gotoschool]

Thanks to chapis for posting this high quality video of Carmen which led me to a lot of other great performances by Mao from 2010 and earlier in beautiful 1080 resolution.

I know some have been posted before but there are a lot all in one place and the previous posts are hard to find anyway.

2005 Carmen JN 2005
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8839BW5awA8&feature=

2006 Nationals Czardas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQOgsYBXVPg

2004 Over the Rainbow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zkiOMFu6JY

2010 Diamond Ice (Caprice and Masquerade Waltz Step Sequence): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kqO6lYrvXk

2007- Fantasia for Violin for Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNZC2tZjx1o

2010- Tango with interviews and training https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE1ovBna6o8

2010 Liebestraum Nationals with interview and warm up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY2XYxLawYw

2010 Worlds Bells of Moscow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUUYRb2mAns

 

[chapis]

Mao looks fabulous in this picture!! https://instagram.com/p/Bb80TqSA6Nt/

 

[cohkaix]

A new autobiographical book (written by Mao) will be published on Dec. 15th (love the cover!):
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4403231268/ref=pe_492632_159100282_TE_item

And the next round of Mao's Ex by Takashimaya will move to Osaka, starting from Dec. 13. Joining by the publishing of the new book, there will be an event of book-signing in Osaka on Dec. 13:
http://www.takashimaya.co.jp/store/special/event/asada.html

(But the Honolulu Marathon will be on Dec 10th. So she won't stay in Hawaii for a long time after finishing the Marathon!)

Mao is quite busy in Dec!

Adding: this is from the designer, Tomoko Yasuno's IG -- https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb8l_XTlIu9/
The suits looks quite sharp. And Yasuno designer added a hashtag '#素敵なプログラム' (fantastic program), I wonder if this has to do with Mao's new project?

 

[chapis]

A moving piece about Mao's relationship with his mother, I love it http://ohlovesosweet.tumblr.com/post/78871163876/mao-mama-howd-i-do

¡¡¡warning!!! you probably will shed some tears reading it

 

[gotoschool]

A moving piece about Mao's relationship with his mother, I love it http://ohlovesosweet.tumblr.com/post/78871163876/mao-mama-howd-i-do

¡¡¡warning!!! you probably will shed some tears reading it

I remember finding this tragic and triumphant tribute while I fervently searched the internet for information about Mao's Sochi LP more than 3 1/2 years ago. I guess I forgot to post it.

 

[gotoschool]

Here is a video clip and fairly long interview with Mao and Mai after participating in the "Sumisei Vitality Action Presents Premium" Body "Friday RUN". At this event, the two ran 6.5 km around Hibiya Park and the Imperial Palace. They talk about the Honolulu Marathon. Also evidently, Mai revealed that she was working on choreography with Mao and that Mao was powering up while practicing every day during the weekday in preparation for next year.

In reference to Mao's retirement, Mao said something like "Heavy things have gone out of my body, goodbye to 2017. (18 years) I will start with a new feeling" with a smile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-i2dpaLzLA

Here is a screenshot of Mao's most recent post of beautiful festive artwork on instagram showing a joyous mood of expectation for the Holiday season and fresh starts for the upcoming year.

https://ibb.co/g9jKLG

Mao also used running or jogging as a way to build up her stamina in preparation for her return to competition in 2015 which was hampered by injury, illness and in my opinion underscoring which put extra pressure on her to try more difficult elements in an injured state with less training because of the injuries and illnesses. However, I think a part of Mao probably also wanted to challenge the elements like the triple axel no matter what. Now in retirement, Mao is preparing for her professional career by again returning to running to build stamina. Mao mentioned in an article that she had learned that running works different muscles than are involved with jumping and that she had learned to run in such a way so as not to hurt her knee. This is at least kind of how I remember her comment.

Even though I cheered for Mao for win, I think for me the hardest part about following Mao's skating when she competed is that I really just wanted to watch her performances without getting involved in the idea of competitions and assigning empirical points for what to me are spiritual expressions of athletic art like paintings, music or great literature. Instead, I prefer to decide for myself which I like best and experience it without external judgement. However, it has been more difficult to see Mao perform outside of competitions and it has become even harder in recent years.

But, from life experiences and the system that judged her so harshly came her great expressive range and power, since fine art so often rises out of conflict between the real and the imagined ideal. Inevitably, great art of any kind often has the ability to challenge someone's assumptions about the legitimacy of a system and its judgments and opinions by showing an ideal vision of the world never imagined before. I think Mao's ability to do this in her performances along with the inspiration of their transcendent beauty are two of her greatest legacies, and she did it by showing this in her performances instead of telling people what to think. Now that it appears Mao will begin her professional career next year season since she is powering up in practice, I hope I will be able to see Mao's performances and that they aren't hidden away like buried treasures.

 

[cohkaix]

It was announced on Friday that Mao has been awarded with 'Kikuchi Kan Prize' of the year from the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Literature.

The award ceremony for 'Kikuchi Kan Prize' had taken place earlier today. Mao looked very elegant and classy in that kimono:
https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20171201-00000149-spnannex-spo
http://www.sankei.com/entertainments/news/171201/ent1712010025-n1.html
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2017/12/01/kiji/20171201s00079000227000c.html

Adding: Some key points from her acceptance speech
- Mao felt very honoured to receive the award. She said she's very happy to accept the award and wants to keep moving on towards higher goals.
- When she was in her competitive career, there were goals to reach every year. She would worked towards that goal no matter what happened. After announcing retirement there was a period of time she couldn't find that goal. So at that time she would stay away from skating. During that time she traveled around to look at different things, and to think a lot. But the longer time it took, the more she missed skating. So she resumed skating again.
-Mao plans to initiate a new project (skating related) from next year. It will be a new challenge and everything will be for the first time. Of course she feels uneasy about that but at the same time she's happy and excited to take on new challenge.
- She thinks what she can do now is to show her appreciation to her fans in return, and she plans to visit various places around the country and to show everyone her skating.

(NB: Mao didn't reveal further detail about the new project, but a newly set-up webpage linked to Mao's official account has further information about skater audition)

 

[gotoschool]

There is a documentary being aired about Mao's Rach II Sochi LP on NHK channel on the following dates and times with the first airing tomorrow. Hopefully it will be posted on youtube:

https://www.nhk.or.jp/docudocu/program/3444/1453078/index.html

Another story's fate branch point "Mao Asada Legendary Sochi Olympics"
December 5, 2017 (Tue) 3:00 pm (60 minutes)
December 11, 2017 (Monday) 0:00 pm (60 minutes)

Evidently, Evgenia Plushenko will be in the documentary because it says Russian national players such as Emperor Plushenko testify to the unknown episode of acting miracles in Japan. I know Evgenia Plushenko like Daisuke have said they would like to do exhibitions with Mao in retirement.

http://music-book.jp/video/news/news/167789

Here is another article which indicates that Adelina Sotnikova and Tatiana Tarasova will also appear to honor Mao's legendary performance in the documentary. I have to say that for me it is the most impressive and inspirational performance I have ever seen and it is what led me to this forum to voice how much it transcended the blatantly deflated scores.

 

[gotoschool]

Here is Mao's documentary about her Sochi LP that aired today on NHK.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kt7oFg1sDo

 

[chapis]

The big day has finally arrived, good luck to Mao in the Honolulu Marathon https://www.instagram.com/p/BcgqGeIgMS0/?taken-by=maoasada2509

 

[Spun Silver]

She will be the most graceful runner there for sure! Go Mao! Fly again!

 

[gotoschool]

I have tried to find news about how Mao is doing in the marathon but to no avail. I am cheering her on and hoping she makes across the line in the time she sets for herself. From what I read, it must be like 3 hours and 40 minutes since the start.

 

[gotoschool]

Thanks to nolangoh for posting this video of Mao crossing the finish line so close to her target time. Congratulations to Mao for finishing her first marathon. I'm sure this will help Mao meet her next goals in the long run. https://www.facebook.com/pg/jal.japa...=page_internal
Mao finishes at the very end of the video, but you can't see her at first because of all the cameras surrounding her and ironically considering all the names that are called you never hear Mao's name at all.

 

[chapis]

Thanks to nolangoh for posting this video of Mao crossing the finish line so close to her target time. Congratulations to Mao for finishing her first marathon. I'm sure this will help Mao meet her next goals in the long run. https://www.facebook.com/pg/jal.japa...=page_internal
Mao finishes at the very end of the video, but you can't see her at first because of all the cameras surrounding her and ironically considering all the names that are called you never hear Mao's name.

She could not beat Mai? , I need to see those protocols !!!...wait... . Okay, maybe she will try next year , congrats Mao!!!

 

[rosewood]

How nice to start my morning with Mao's beaming smiles! Congrats Mao for making her first marathon with a nice record!

@chapis Mao actually beat Mai. Mao finished in 4 hours 34 mints (her target time was 4 h 30 m) and Mai finished her first marathon in 5 hours 1 minute (Mai's target time was 5 h). Mao set more aggressive target time than Mai, of course. Since Mai is Mao's forever rival.

I'm relieved Mao finished the marathon with smiles which indicates her knee didn't bother her much. BTW, do you guys know Mao is scheduled to skate on December 31th? It sounded it's gonna be her self-choreo program and it was announced it'll be a collaboration with her favorite singer. Sounds great.

Here are some clips from the marathon.
https://scontent-nrt1-1.cdninstagra...486_524887957887677_5484471257564971008_n.mp4
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/939960292980568064/pu/vid/720x1280/ooc5mBRZxk3l6KiS.mp4
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/939958486317670405/pu/vid/720x1280/ipMWg5fz84uWXgvF.mp4
You can see Naoko Takahashi (Japanese Olympic gold medalist in marathon) cheering for Mao in the second vid. Takahashi is in black T shirt and red short pants. Happy to see Mao was quite enjoying the marathon.

Mao's first marathon will be aired on 13th in coming January.
http://www.tbs.co.jp/sports/honolulumarathon/

 

[chapis]

How nice to start my morning with Mao's beaming smiles! Congrats Mao for making her first marathon with a nice record!

@chapis Mao actually beat Mai. Mao finished in 4 hours 34 mints (her target time was 4 h 30 m) and Mai finished her first marathon in 5 hours 1 minute (Mai's target time was 5 h). Mao set more aggressive target time than Mai, of course. Since Mai is Mao's forever rival.

/QUOTE]

Yay!!

 

[rosewood]

Happy Mao photo in my avatar.
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2017/12/11/jpeg/20171211s00079000101000p_view.jpg
Beaming smile at the goal point.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQtdrSfX4AA4ipP.jpg
Posing for photographers after the goal before the start.
https://scontent-nrt1-1.cdninstagra...932_151047988866664_3189613082477330432_n.jpg

Here are some info about the TV show where she skates on Dec the 31th.
http://www.tbs.co.jp/hot-jyouhou/201712071030.html
http://www.hmv.co.jp/newsdetail/article/1712071009/

ETA:
Article of the marathon.
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2017/12/11/kiji/20171211s00079000102000c.html

 

[chapis]

Happy Mao photo in my avatar.
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2017/12/11/jpeg/20171211s00079000101000p_view.jpg
Beaming smile at the goal point.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQtdrSfX4AA4ipP.jpg
Posing for photographers after the goal.
https://scontent-nrt1-1.cdninstagra...932_151047988866664_3189613082477330432_n.jpg

Here are some info about the TV show where she skates on Dec the 31th.
http://www.tbs.co.jp/hot-jyouhou/201712071030.html
http://www.hmv.co.jp/newsdetail/article/1712071009/

ETA:
Article of the marathon.
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2017/12/11/kiji/20171211s00079000102000c.html

Mao will be skating more than one program?

 

[rosewood]

Mao will be skating more than one program?

Probably it'll be one collaboration program with a singer. They keep details in secret at this point.

It'll be aired during a long TV show which includes "8 big sports matches". It'll include some serious matches like (1)WBA boxing championship and (2) a martial art fight between a former K-1 champion and a former PRIDE champion. And it also have fun matches that I don't know in detail among big names such as Messi & Suarez from FC Barcelona, Nakamura & Endo (from former Japan's football national team), Kei Nishikori (tennis), Tanaka & Maeda (MLB), Matsuyama & Ishikawa (golf) etc. Their official site says it'll be TV rating battles (among major TV companies, mainly with NHK maybe, on New Year's eve). Since Mao'll never join the matches with these guys, I guess TBS offered Mao to skate as a flower in a battle field or what ever. That said, judging by seeing photos published so far, it'll show a moving documentary-type video together with Mao's program since in a photo (on a site that I posted earlier) Mao looked very moved. awwwwww
http://www.tbs.co.jp/sports/kyokugen/

 

[Spun Silver]

What, you don't think Mao can be a warrior too, @rosewood dear? (Daisuke can give her some tips after Hyōen.)

 

[rosewood]

What, you don't think Mao can be a warrior too, @rosewood dear? (Daisuke can give her some tips after Hyōen.)

LOL I wish the organizers will make it to have another Hyoen type of show for Daisuke and they'll invite Mao & Kanako as princess warriors.

some more photos from the marathon awwww
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2017/12/11/jpeg/20171211s00079000113000p_view.jpg
https://scontent-nrt1-1.cdninstagra...97_2054708294556155_6142065604242178048_n.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQuVgPzV4AA4Tas.jpg

Happy to see it became a good start for her new goals!

 

[Spun Silver]

Who on earth are those guys in the second pic?! And why is everyone talking on the phone?

 

[rosewood]

Who on earth are those guys in the second pic?! And why is everyone talking on the phone?

They are Japanese singers. They look so funny! It seems one of their members joined this marathon too. Happy to see Mao having happy mood sharing with other people. (Dunno why they are talking on the phone.)
Kishidan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiE85n-P1bc

ETA: Found the hand sign is probably SHAKA in Hawaii.
wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaka_sign

 

[rosewood]

"Happy for a gold medal after a while"

Reportedly she had a pain in her knee at some point but made the goal around her target time. See the tears in her eyes in a photo.

 

[Spun Silver]

Awww. She should have had even more gold medals but let's not go there. I sure hope her knee is OK. Well done, Mao! Brava!

And thank you for teaching me the Shaka sign, @rosewood dear. I am sure it will come in handy one day.

 

[cohkaix]

Probably it'll be one collaboration program with a singer. They keep details in secret at this point.

Their official site says it'll be TV rating battles (among major TV companies, mainly with NHK maybe, on New Year's eve).

That was my first thought... it was reported that the singer in collaboration is one with 'million-seller'. But since the program is going to overlap with NHK's annual end-of-the-year 'Red-White' singing competition, I assume the singer must be one who won't be showing-up at NHK's competition (perhaps DCT? perhaps Ayumi?)
(NB: I'm kind of disappointed as I was really hoping Mao can be invited to NHK's 'R-W' competition this year...there were many female athletes going into retirement this year, in tennis, in golf...etc. It will be great if NHK could make a special tribute to that and invite them to the end-of-year event. But, oh, well...perhaps Mao said yes to TBS first and the marathon is broadcast by TBS!)

And more on the singer Mao's going to collaborate with, I read a unconfirmed message from twitter, that the singer is from Okinawa (huh...so any guessing of a million-seller Japanese singer from Okinawa?)

 

[chapis]

That was my first thought... it was reported that the singer in collaboration is one with 'million-seller'. But since the program is going to overlap with NHK's annual end-of-the-year 'Red-White' singing competition, I assume the singer must be one who won't be showing-up at NHK's competition (perhaps DCT? perhaps Ayumi?)
(NB: I'm kind of disappointed as I was really hoping Mao can be invited to NHK's 'R-W' competition this year...there were many female athletes going into retirement this year, in tennis, in golf...etc. It will be great if NHK could make a special tribute to that and invite them to the end-of-year event. But, oh, well...perhaps Mao said yes to TBS first and the marathon is broadcast by TBS!)

And more on the singer Mao's going to collaborate with, I read a unconfirmed message from twitter, that the singer is from Okinawa (huh...so any guessing of a million-seller Japanese singer from Okinawa?)

No idea, but I hope is Ayumi, Mao always talked about her.

 

[rosewood]

That was my first thought... it was reported that the singer in collaboration is one with 'million-seller'. But since the program is going to overlap with NHK's annual end-of-the-year 'Red-White' singing competition, I assume the singer must be one who won't be showing-up at NHK's competition (perhaps DCT? perhaps Ayumi?)
(NB: I'm kind of disappointed as I was really hoping Mao can be invited to NHK's 'R-W' competition this year...there were many female athletes going into retirement this year, in tennis, in golf...etc. It will be great if NHK could make a special tribute to that and invite them to the end-of-year event. But, oh, well...perhaps Mao said yes to TBS first and the marathon is broadcast by TBS!)

ETA: Or Mao chose to "skate" in a live show rather than appearing as a judge/commentator in a music competition even it could be a good contribution for her retirement? I just wanted to see Mao in another gorgeous kimono in the show. But, anyways, I would be happier to see Mao skating a self-choreo program on new year's eve as a new start of a challenge that she'll try in the coming new year. I'm curious about her new project she'll start next year!

And more on the singer Mao's going to collaborate with, I read a unconfirmed message from twitter, that the singer is from Okinawa (huh...so any guessing of a million-seller Japanese singer from Okinawa?)

That's my thought too re: the marathon's gonna broadcasted by TBS. Also the travel TV show in which she traveled around European countries during her one-year break was by TBS. So maybe she said no to NHK and yes to TBS since she feels closer to TBS? Or whatever. I haven't seen NHK's "R-W" competition for decades so I don't care the TV show much anyways. It was a big show when I was a child but now it lost its popularity. I feel.

And it's new to hear the singer is from Okinawa! Who it'll be? I thought it would be Dreams Come True since they're Mao's favorite group and she went to their concert after her retirement. Ayumi Hamasaki is another her fav but she's scheduled to a concert on the same day so maybe she isn't the one. A "million seller singer" from Okinawa? hmmmm Okinawa was the place Mao & Kanako went on a private trip after their retirement and where she happened to listen to the "Traveler" song to which they did self-choreo and skated together in this year's THE ICE. But a singer FROM Okinawa?? And Mao cried???

 

[rosewood]

Or Mao chose to "skate" in a live show rather than appearing as a judge/commentator in a music competition even if it could be a good tribute to her retirement? I just wanted to see Mao in another gorgeous kimono in the show. But, anyways, I would be happier to see Mao skating a self-choreo program on new year's eve as a new start of a challenge that she'll try in the coming new year. I'm curious about her new 'project' she'll start next year!

 

[cohkaix]

And it's new to hear the singer is from Okinawa! Who it'll be? I thought it would be Dreams Come True since they're Mao's favorite group and she went to their concert after her retirement. Ayumi Hamasaki is another her fav but she's scheduled to a concert on the same day so maybe she isn't the one. A "million seller singer" from Okinawa? hmmmm Okinawa was the place Mao & Kanako went on a private trip after their retirement and where she happened to listen to the "Traveler" song to which they did self-choreo and skated together in this year's THE ICE. But a singer FROM Okinawa?? And Mao cried???

I'm not from Japan, but my family members watch NHK (world channel) regularly...and we usually watch R/W competitions on NHK by the end of the year. That's my personal reason to hope for seeing Mao there.

As for the singer from Okinawa...I can only come up with one (that I'm familiar with) but the singer is not in anyway related to Mao. So I'm not really sure. But perhaps there's some 'hidden preferences' from Mao that we're just not aware of, just as I can recall that she said she enjoys the song 時の流れに身をまかせ by Teresa Teng. Yes, I was also wondering upon listening to what song that Mao would be crying as that... Anyway, looking forward the the show at the end of the year and the new project for the next year. As for now, hope Mao can get a good rest after the long run!