08/06/07 02:39:20 dTndYzy50
I have been fortunate to have been around some great athletes in my career, but I can honestly say that as a group,
figure skaters train harder than any I have ever seen.
Mao is gifted, but it is her hard work and attitude that make the difference.
This is how she made history back at the 2005 Japan nationals, when she became the first female ever to
land two triple axels in the same program in competition.
It remains a feat that is unequaled.
There are a lot of talented skaters out there, but only one female each year gets to be called "world champion."
Mao is the fifth Japanese to earn the honor, joining the pantheon of Midori Ito (1989), Yuka Sato (1994),
Shizuka Arakawa (2004) and Miki Ando (2007).
Why is Mao, who is arguably the most popular athlete in the nation, so beloved by her fans and foes?
I think it is the combination of her natural beauty, cheerful demeanor and the magic of youth,
when the opportunities seem limitless.
To see somebody achieve what she has at the age of 17, reminds many of dreams they once held.
Some were fulfilled, some weren't. But they were definitely there.
What is refreshing about Mao is that she won't rest on her laurels.
At a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday she acknowledged that she has more work to do
if she wants to join Arakawa as an Olympic gold medalist.
"I have a lot of things to improve for the Vancouver Games,
" Mao said. "I want to improve my lutz and make my jumps with higher quality.
I also want to work on accelerating my spins and being more expressive."
When asked about Arakawa, Mao smiled and said, "I'll be happy if I can follow in her footsteps."
Mao comes from a wonderful family that has provided her with much love and support.
It takes incredible backing to rise to the level of world champion in this sport, and she has been blessed to have it.
Every federation should be so fortunate to have a skater, every nation an ambassador,
every sport an individual like Mao. Those of us who have gotten to know her can attest to her class.
She is warm, intelligent and gentle. A lady in every sense of the word.
We now live in a time when we are inundated with so much constant negativity about sports in the form of drugs,
violence and corruption, that it sometimes makes you wonder what the point is.
Mao's purity in striving to achieve, and doing it the right way, exemplifies everything positive about sports,
and why they remain an important part of society ？ especially for impressionable youngsters.
Whenever I think of her I am reminded that "Mao" rhymes with "wow."