By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Japanese figure skating star Mao Asada has had some enjoyable moments in South Korea, winning the two titles in as many visits.
And the 19-year-old is hoping to stay perfect in the Land of Morning Calm when she competes at the Four Continents Championships, beginning Wednesday in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province.
“I am in good shape. If I do my best, as I have in practice, I expect to get a good score,’’ Asada told reporters in her third visit to Korea Monday.
“Delightful things have happened to me at events held in Korea.”
The Nagoya-born skater was victorious at the Four Continents Championships and World Grand Prix Final both held in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province in 2008.
Korea’s iconic figure skater Kim Yu-na and Asada, who were born 20 days apart in September 1990, have been tabbed as gold-medal favorites in the women’s singles event at the Vancouver Winter Olympics next month.
However, this season, Asada fell into a slump and didn’t get the chance to defend her Grand Prix Final title after failing to qualify for the contest.
But she still managed to earn her ticket to the Olympics after claiming her fourth straight national title in December.
The struggle prevented her from attempting a single triple axel in the past two Grand Prix events
“I have been downgraded on my jumps this season, but I have set my sights on ‘No Downgrade’ at this event,’’ she said.
According to Asada, the 2008 world champion, she will keep trying the high-level jump.
“I will hit a triple axel once in the short program and twice in the free skating,’’ she vowed.
“If I perform well in this competition, I will be prepared for the Olympics.”
Meanwhile, Asada’s Russian coach, Tatiana Tarasova, will not be at the competition due to health reasons. Asada is accompanied by assistant coach Shanetta Folle.