Published : Feb. 23, 2014 - 13:09
2014 소치 동계올림픽 피겨 스케이팅 개인전 금메달 주인공 아델리나 소트니코바가 아사다 마오를 보고 자극을 받았다고 밝혔다.
러시아 소치 아이스버그 스케이팅 팰리스에서 열린 2014 소치 동계올림픽 피겨스케이팅 갈라쇼에서 연기를 펼치고 있다. (연합)
소트니코바는 AFP와의 인터뷰에서 "나는 마오를 좋아한다"며 지난 2011년 마오의 어머니가 돌아가셨을 때 마오가 꿋꿋이 이겨내는 모습에 감탄했다고 전했다.
소트니코바는 "스케이팅에 중독됐다고 보일 정도로 마오는 열심히 한다"며 "마오와 같은 시기에 선수생활하는 것이 즐겁다"고 전했다.
더불어 소트니코바의 코치인 엘레나 부야노바는 "나도 마오를 안다"며 "마오가 소트니코바를 자신의 경기에 초청한 적 있다"고 밝혔다.
(khnews@heraldcorp.com)
Olympic: Sotnikova inspired by battling Asada
Newly-crowned Olympic champion Adelina Sotnikova has revealed that she had been inspired by Japanese star Mao Asada in her journey towards Winter Games' gold.
As Sotnikova, 17, glided to her first major title, 23-year-old Asada was competing in her last Games.
Asada's bid to give Japan a second figure skating gold in Sochi fell foul of her trademark triple Axel jump on Wednesday -- leaving her in 16th position after the first night of the competition.
But she recovered strongly on Thursday to post the third highest score in the free skate behind winner Sotnikova of Russia and South Korean silver medallist Kim Yu-Na -- lifting her to sixth place overall.
"I love Mao as an athlete and as a worker," said Sotnikova of the Vancouver silver medallist.
The Russian said she had been particularly impressed with how Asada coped with the death of her mother in 2011.
"She's a workaholic. She overcomes all difficulty. When tragedy struck she didn't stop, she dedicated her skating to her mother. I'm always happy to skate with Mao," said the four-time Russian champion.
Sotnikova's coach Elena Buianova said that she had been shocked by two-time world champion Asada's meltdown in the short programme.
"I know Mao, when Adelina was a small girl she trained with (choreographer) Tatiana Tarasova. Very often Mao would invite Adelina to take part in her shows.
"She's a hard worker. I've never seen a girl train so hard even the weekend. What happened could be called a national tragedy.
"The crowd was in tears as she left the ice. I would assume she was under psychological pressure. What she did in the free skate was outstanding."
Julia Lipnitskaia's coach Eteri Tutberidze said Asada's career had been an inspiration.
"I can't imagine how she can work like that for 12 years and be so strong for so many years. I think Mao had an emotional burnout." (AFP)