Mao Asada: My triple-axel is better than ever

From Sportsbeat staff, in Vancouver

 JAPAN'S Mao Asada has sent an ominous warning to her figure skating Olympic rivals, insisting her secret weapon - the triple axel - is better than ever.

READY TO RUMBLE: Japan's Mao Asada sends an ominous warning of intent to her rivals ahead of her Olympic debut in Vancouver (Getty Images)

The 19-year-old arrived in Vancouver on Saturday, hell bent on collecting gold in her first Olympic appearance, but is only too aware world champion Kim Nu-Ya of Korea stands in her way.

Kim is the red-hot favourite for gold. She has been breaking world records for fun over the last two years and dethroned Asada as the world champion last year.

When her triple-triples are on song she is virtually unbeatable and Kim has lost only twice in the last two seasons.

Both those defeats however, have been inflicted by Asada. The four-time Japanese champion may have failed to qualify for December's Grand Prix final in Tokyo which was won by Kim, but she insists she is back to her best in Vancouver.

And as the only female performer to regularly executed the triple axel, Asada believes she can keep the gold medal in Japanese hands, after Shizuka Arakawa was crowned champion in 2006.

"The triple axel is better than it was before the Four Continents and the nationals," she said.

"I have been training solidly in Japan but now I want to train on the Vancouver rink with a mental image of the competition.

"When I got on the plane, I felt anxious about how my first Olympics would go. But when I got here, I started looking forward to it.

"I want a medal. It should be gold as a matter of course."

Meanwhile, home supporters will be harbouring hopes for Canadian Joannie Rochette at the Pacific Coliseum.

Rochette is the current world silver medallist but received tragic news on Saturday night, following the death of her mother in Vancouver.

According to Skate Canada, Rochette will compete in Vancouver, in honour of her late mother.

 

AS IT HAPPENS: Day ten of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver