It was good to know about her feeling before the competition.
-She lost her words when she found out what happened to Japan on TV.
"I was at home in Aichi Prefecture when the earthquake occurred. I felt the earthquake. Then I watched the news on TV. Honestly, I'm not sure if we could participate in the Worlds under this circumstance."
-She might have mixed feelings. But once JSF assigned them to go to the Worlds, there was no choice. Then what they can do is...??
"What I can do is to do everything I have done through this season. I know some people in the affected areas have supported us a lot. Of course I understand they don't feel like watching figure skating right now. But if, in any way, doing our best performances could provide encouragement for them... Besides I know that's the only thing I can do."
-She is going to compete in the worlds as a challenger rather than the reigning title holder. She improved her condition around the end of the season as it took time to rework for her jumps. How did a one-month extension of the Worlds influence on her?
"After 4cc in Taipei, I was trying to make my condition for the Worlds in March. When the Worlds was postponed, my coach told us to stop practicing. As I was putting pressure on my body and mind for the Tokyo Worlds, we needed to take a rest. Otherwise it was hard to keep up a good condition. I took off for a straight week after 3.11. Then we moved on to prepare for the worlds in April."
-As her colleague is Takahiko Kozuka, she has felt men's speedy performances and dynamic jumps through their training.
"We are on the ice skating rink for four hours a day. We perform the entire SP and FS, too. Restarting our training, we've done what we have to do. I found some parts I wanted to adjust at 4cc. My coach said that I needed to have more speed and energy in my performances. I kept them in my mind."
-Moscow could be called her second hometown. Tatiana Tarasova who taught her last two seasons is there
"I don't have any negative image to compete in Russia. There is Ms. Tarasova who choreographed my SP in this season. We might work on my costume. It's true I felt anxiety when we were waiting for a decision about the worlds. But after taking a week off, I have practiced hard enough. I could shift my feeling to the Worlds. I think I'm emotionally ready to challenge the competition."
EX "Caprice"(2009-2010 season) in Russia