Before coming to the Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics in 2024, a teenage figure skating talent raised a tremendous commotion because of her past performance. Last year, in Canada, a teen Japanese had won her first World Junior Championship, defeating the arch-rival Jia Shin. Moreover, two days after the phenomenal victory, the figure skater had taken a head-on challenge with Jia Shin again in the free skate final. That time as well, she had usurped the top position by making a tournament record. Eventually, all these records fortified her comparison with the legendary figure skater, Mao Asada, the 3x world champion as well. 

Now it was the time for the Olympic body to note the talent of the 15-year-old Japanese skater. Her performance in Gangwon WYO 2024 just worked as the catalyst in that measurement. 

Olympic authority takes a moment to sing a paean for Mao Shimada

Mao Shimada’s parents had named her after the Japanese figure skating legend, Mao Asada. But Shimada tried to etch her name in the annals of the Olympic record book differently. Asada had registered herself as the first female figure skater to land three triple axel jumps in one championship. That was back in the 2010 Winter Olympics. But Shimada went one step ahead. Last Sunday, she scored 71.05 in the women’s short program in Gangwon WYO 2024. Soon after that, the IG handle of the Olympics framed a respectful series of visuals regarding her far-notched achievements. The opening statement went, “The 15-year-old figure skater who’s taking the world by storm”. 

In those snaps, the past astounding performances received a shout-out. The major one came out as the teenager’s victory in the Junior Grand Prix Final in Beijing. That resounding victory came in the free skating event. But before that, a heartbreak evaporated the situation. It was due to her dismantling performance against the arch-rival Jia Shin. In the short program, Mao Shimada had to settle for second place. On that day, the sobbing teenager vowed to register a comeback. The Gangwon WYO 2024 lent her that platform. 

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The Gangwon 2024 raises the comparison of more 

In her hay-time, Mao Asada had nurtured a proverbial competition with arch-rival Korean Yuna Kim. Eventually, the “new Mao” also enjoys a similar kind of relationship with Korean teenager Jia Shin. On Sunday, that story witnessed another chapter in Gangneung Ice Arena. In Beijing, Shimada’s problematic landing disrupted her chances. However, on Sunday, she completed the landing with known finesse while adding an extraordinary line and edge. Eventually, that kept her well above Jia Shin. The Korean remained in the third position with a score of 66.48.

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The satisfaction was spotted in Shimada’s voice. “Going into these Youth Olympics, I was a little worried because I made mistakes in the short program at the last three competitions. But I managed to leave all that behind me and performed well”, was her take to the Olympics. com. So eventually, performances like this would make Mao Shimada live up to her namesake Mao Asada. 

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