A Rivalry to Love
This week, Mao Asada and Yuna Kim renew their decade-old rivalry despite competing in different events on different continents. Rivalries are always exciting. In subjective sports, they become wildly emotional. Mao and Yuna have maintained their positions at the top of the sport despite injuries, stiff competition, countless demands and immeasurable domestic pressures. And though their performances are enjoyable to watch, the online debates among fans are equally as entertaining.
Earlier this week, I posted a status on Facebook: “This week, Shin Amano is the caller for the Grand Prix Final and the ‘injured’ Yuna Kim is skating like this. Poor Mao Asada.”
In the world of skating social media, there are ways of drawing traffic to a blog, website or Facebook page that are simply too easy. Mentioning Mao Asada, Yuna Kim and Shin Amano in the same status during an Olympic season is borderline criminal. (And it certainly is fun.)
There are so many things to enjoy about the online debates. Based on the level of emotion, one would think that Michelle Kwan split in two, with Lyra Angelia Kwan facing off against Salome Kwan, forever dividing the Michelle Kwan Forum and calling the very keeperships into question that rule the universe of obsessive fanaticism.
The mere mention of Shin Amano’s name is worthy of at least 20 comments on a blog entry. Reading the comments, one is never certain if Shin was born of the Third Reich, is hell-bent on destroying the medal chances of Mao Asada, or if he is simply wonderfully obsessive compulsive in a way that perhaps only Meryl Davis can understand. Unquestionably the most famous technical specialist on the planet, Shin routinely has the temerity to call an underrotated double loop when he sees one. And unless you’re Mao Asada or Mirai Nagasu, there is something to love about it. If you’re Yuna Kim, you may owe him a fruit basket or two.
When reading such a status, one can immediately predict the comments that will follow. It is important to recognize them in advance and chuckle when reading them (and silently judging those who leave them.) If at least five of these are posted, you know a major ISU championship is surely approaching:
1. Shin Amano hates Mao Asada.
2. The judges overscore Yuna Kim.
3. Yuna wears over-the-boot tights to distract from her awful extension and ugly turnout.
4. Every program Yuna Kim does is the same.
5. Mao Asada cheats her jumps.
6. The callers who say Mao underrotates her jumps are personally victimizing her and cheating for Yuna Kim.
7. Give __________ a break. They will show you!
You get the point.
Every holy week, Catholics re-examine and profess their faith during mass. Given the sanctity of the Olympic season, we at TSL feel it is only appropriate to do the same about this rivalry:
1. Does Mao Asada have a tendency to underrotate her jumps? (Yes)
2. Is the extension and turnout of Yuna Kim’s free leg on her spiral and layback utterly unacceptable by the standards of the American ladies? (Absolutely)
3. Do most of Yuna Kim’s programs look the same? (Yes)
4. Does Mao Asada have a tendency to look bored until her final footwork sequence? (Yes)
5. Do we think Yuna was motivated to return by something other than a pure love of skating? (Yes)
6. Do we think Yuna Kim had any interest in competing on the Grand Prix? (No)
7. Does Mao Asada flutz? (Yes)
8. Does Yuna Kim have a tendency to lip? (Yes)
9. Do either of them skate programs that we will rewatch as many times as Dante’s Prayer or anything by Janet Lynn? (No)
10. Do Mao’s jumps look that much better than they did four years ago? (Not really)
11. Are Yuna’s programs all about her arms? (Yes)
12. Are Yuna’s arms amazing? (Yes)
13. Are Mao’s knees and soft edges wonderful? (Yes)
14. Is Mao slower than Yuna? (Yes)
15. Was Yuna Kim overscored in Vancouver? (Yes)
16. Did Yuna Kim deserve to win in Vancouver based on the rules of the IJS? (Yes)
17. Do both skaters telegraph their jumps? (Yes)
18. Do most skaters telegraph their jumps? (Yes)
19. Is Santa Claus real?
We hope you enjoy your viewing of the Grand Prix Final and Golden Spin and remember to cough and smirk when reading the comments that follow this post.
Namaste.
December 5, 2013
you are hysterical! Love reading your posts Dave.
December 5, 2013
I just watched the ladies sp of GPF…. all i have to say is Dave, you F@$#ING ROCK!!!!!!!!! I’ve always enjoyed watching you guys and valued your opinion. This article so freakin perfect!
December 5, 2013
More original and certainly more interesting than Johnny Weir ‘s latest outa-this-world sex dream.
December 5, 2013
My problem with Shin Amano is not that he is strict, but inconsistent. If he is just wonderfully compulsive, he should apply that to all skaters. Yet, I often feel he pays particular interest to the jumps of certain skaters such as Mao, Mirai, Kanako. Yes, they do have a tendency to under rotate their jumps. But there are other skaters who also under rotate, but are more likely to get a pass from him. For example, at this competition, he called Mao’s 3A, yet gave a pass to Ashley’s 3-3, which I felt was a bit questionable. Amano reminds me of a teacher who already has formed opinions of his students and marks them based on that. In other words, it’s very hard to earn his favor once he forms an opinion about you. No matter how strict a caller appears, selective judging is inherently unfair imo.
December 5, 2013
So…what your saying is that Shin Amano, is from and competed for Japan, actually does his job, and will not bump up or give a break to Mao Asada, despite being from the same country…UNLIKE most/every European judge/caller/official (especially Russia and France)???
December 5, 2013
Yes. Surprisingly, sometimes some Japanese skating fans call Mao’s competitions in Japan “Away game” especially when Shin Amano is involved in the event.
December 5, 2013
Love it! You need to do one for Virtue/Moir and Davis/White fans. If hear one more time how the US is politicking hard enough for all the ISU judges to conspire against Virtue/Moir, I’m going to die laughing. I wish I lived in the fantasy world where anybody in the US cared about a gold ice dance medal.
December 5, 2013
But when SkateCanada did the exact same thing 4 years ago, nary a peep! Every federation politicks for its front-runners! That’s the wonderful, corrupt world of figure skating!
December 5, 2013
Mmmm…. Corrupt may be a little harsh. Frankly, it would seem odd if federations didn’t politic, they would be accused of not supporting their athletes!
December 5, 2013
19. Is Santa Claus real? Only if I get an expensive gift this year, lol.
December 5, 2013
I always wished that Yuna would leave DW. Oh,well.
December 5, 2013
ry, you don’t understand. It wouldn’t have made any difference had Yuna left DW. The problem isn’t Yuna’s choreographer, but Yuna herself. The girl has even less artistic capabilities than Alena Leonova. I mean, at least Alena is spunky and fun. But Yuna has no idea what emoting means. She is wretchedly cold and stone-faced on ice. Get her TAT or Phillip Mills, you still would see no difference. The girl’s just hopeless…
December 5, 2013
Geez, here these Maobots go again. Calm your t??ts down.
December 5, 2013
Maobots are devastated, Their jumping queen’s fate depends on who is tech panel. The only way Asada wins OGM is to Wrack Kim.
December 6, 2013
Are we talking about the same “yuna Kim” here? Quite not sure. If SHE has no idea what emoting means then are most of skate fans who are impressed by her(some are even in tears after watching her program) manipulated by the emotionless stone-faced robot? I don’t think so. The sheer number of her fans pretty much tells all about it, huh? If yuna doesn’t know how to carry “emotion” within her movements, then there is no way this many people can love her so much.
December 6, 2013
No need to mention about Mao here. Attacking Mao just because somebody criticized Yuna is just cheesy. But calling yuna emotionless? God, What the hell is wrong with you, buddy?
December 5, 2013
I like the idea behind this article, but I disagree with some comments:
Although the results Mao’s reworking of the jumps seem the “same”- she had to work to get here. She was already losing her jumps by the time 2010 ended, especially her 3F’s. She had a habit of leaning very forward and using a hammer toe for her to complete her 3F. This was causing a lot of problems and inconsistencies. She is much more upright now, giving her more flow out of her 3′s.
I think that any elite athlete, whatever area they are in, if they have to change a way they approach something, it is very difficult, especially if it’s engrained in their muscle memory. So to write this off as if it’s nothing, I find it kinda disrespectful for someone’s work.
“Do either of them skate programs that we will rewatch as many times as Dante’s Prayer or anything by Janet Lynn? (No)”
Actually, I will definitely watch Mao’s Chopin programs in many years to come, they’re pretty damn amazing.
December 6, 2013
Tina, a lot of Mao’s jumps look smaller now and I think there are still underrotation questions there. So no its just not that much better.
I like Asada a lot but her jumps are questionable. Asada’s got a lot of gifts but aside from the ability to do a 3axel, she’s really not that great of a jumper.
December 5, 2013
You do realize the deeper source of the Kim-Asada binary fan rivalry, do you not: the longstanding animosity between the countries of Japan and Korea? Yeowch, it’s nasty. It makes Kwan vs. Lipinski look like a tickle fight.
Oh, and don’t forget, if you’re on Team Yuna, you used to think Brian Orser walked on water, but now you believe he’s the spawn of Satan, not to mention a pathetic loser who merely hitched his wagon to her star and whom she was lucky to throw off. And that Yuna’s most recent success is proof that she never needed coaching from anyone, especially that bozo–she sprang from her mama’s womb as the ultimate perfect figure skater with absolutely no need to learn anything from anybody. You also believe that all Japanese skaters are evil, and Mao the most evil of them all.
If you’re on Team Mao, you of course believe Yuna is a complete joke who can barely lace up her boots, much less skate.
Yeah, it’s a classic skatefan rivalry. Ugh.
December 5, 2013
Two prominent names and stars at their own right, have their own qualities in their skating of course have their own weaknesess too… But what i ike with these two was their own dedications to their work as an athlete and as an individual, theyve worked hard to give their best and fullfillment to shows to their own followers.I will embrace all these debates as there will be no more of these when the two retire from the ring , People , fanatics , critics will be missed these rivalry as no one will be a duplication anymore , As im also one of those to feel these these emptiness after seeing the two in the ring.. i dont know if i will still watch or follow the figure skating ..I will miss Mao elegance and the 3A , Yunas dynamic jumps “3 and 3 combo” and her amazing hands , There will be no other skater that will be dulpicate the qualities of both skater(Mao and Yuna). We should be happy that we had these great skater and still giving us enjoyement whenever their in the ring .. love and support them as these was their last season! Enjoy and love them as the days was not that long anymore and they will not be around … They will definitely greatly be missed !!!!!
December 5, 2013
I completely lost any respect I had for Dave Lease and TSL. Yuna/Mao are two transcendent skaters in the history of figure skating whose talent will not be matched for quite some time. And here you are, essentially saying that they are both overhyped in a mocking tone. What a ******* loser. Why don’t you just write a piece gushing about your favorite American skater instead. I, for one, will never watch your show again.
December 6, 2013
I couldn’t agree with you more Jane.
December 6, 2013
Give Dave a break. Just like team Mao or Yuna, Dave is and will always be Team Kwan.
December 6, 2013
I also find this review very funny but also somewhat condescending. It seems like it’s deriding the fans of Yuna and Mao. Also, too much negativity here.