Image Credit: Yahoo! JAPAN
Mao Asada, the renowned professional figure skater, made a memorable appearance at the opening ceremony of the Seibu vs. Rakuten baseball game held on the 23rd at Belluna Dome. Asada, 33, showcased her pitching skills by delivering a flawless ceremonial first pitch, a feat she hadn’t attempted since 2006. This time, her goal was clear: to throw the ball without a bounce, a task she had set for herself after her previous attempt had fallen short.
Through the team, Asada expressed her satisfaction with her performance, noting that she finally achieved her goal of a bounce-free pitch. She mentioned the collective gasp from the audience when she took a powerful swing before releasing the ball, a moment that energized her. Asada also highlighted her excitement about the upcoming “MAO RINK PROJECT,” set to open in Tachikawa City in November, in collaboration with Tachihi Holdings, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. She chose the number 100 on her uniform in honor of this milestone.
The opening pitch marked a significant moment for Asada, who waved to the cheering crowd with a bright smile after her successful throw. Reflecting on her experience, she shared her anticipation for teaching the joy of skating at her new rink.
The event also brought back memories of Asada’s incredible free skating performance at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where she landed all six triple jumps. Though she couldn’t compete in the 2006 Turin Olympics due to age restrictions, her perfect form during the ceremonial pitch echoed the grace and determination she’s known for on the ice.
Credit: THE SANKEI SHIMBUN