After reading that nice interview with TAT, I thought I'd finally start a thread on TAT and Mao.
Unfortunately, I don't have my 'Mao Asada, Miracle Seventeen' book with me now, so I can't translate that, but I will share a quote from TAT from the 'Mao Rashiku' book.
Mao Rashiku [Mao-like], pg 80:
Teaching an athlete like Asada who is already standing at the top of the world requires preparation. If her rank falls, your responsibility and teaching will be questioned. Even so, Tarasova agreed to accept her [as her student]. She explains the reason like this:
"I am living in Russia, and I'm also employed as an adviser to the Russian [Skating] Federation. But when Mao asked her to be her coach, I could not refuse. The lack of a top lady skater in Russia is one reason. There is a tough competition going on among the world's ladies. If you take on coaching responsibilities, it's extremely challenging. Up to now, I have had the experience of coaching world champions. I think I can bring out Mao's abilities. Teaching a top skater like her is challenging, and there are difficult parts, and of course, the responsibility is heavy. Mao's good point is that she has flexibility like clay. [I don't think she means this literally; I think she means that she can mold Mao into the skater she wants her to be.]
Of course, she has incredible talent. For Mao, skating is life. I think (Mao is) a gift from God." [bolding added by me]
*******
I love Mao and TAT!
More on this to come, eventually...
Subject: ~Mao and TAT~ 
Thu Jul 02, 2009 1:20 am
hohoho.
