¡Volá conmigo ya!

Seventeen years ago, ice rinks in Kazakhstan were only opened in the winter, because they were all outdoors. And let me tell you, it gets pretty cold in Kazakhstan in the winter. That’s one reason why we have lots and lots of real snow. Eventually, the first shopping mall in Kazakhstan was built, and included an indoor skating rink. For the first time, we didn’t have to wear snowsuits to practice ice skating. In those first years, I didn’t even have competition ice skates. I had a pair of old side skates with no support at all for jumps. To make them better, my Dad cut plastic water bottles in half, and attached them to each side so I could actually do jumps. Then, at age 8, I attended my first international competition in Omsk, Russia. It took us 3 days to get there by train. I was still wearing my plastic water bottle skates, I trained in a shopping mall, and I had little to no professional coaching. Yet, there I was competing in the qualifying round. I remember being amazed to even be there. But I also remember being ashamed of my skates, commpared to the Russian kids’ skates. And guess what? I won the competition, and the rest as they say is history. This is a long way to explain why Almaty 2022 is important to me and for Kazakhstan. Today is not seventeen years ago, but we still need better resources to develop our young athletes. So, why am I telling you all of this? Why is my story important? It is important because it is a real example of what our country can achieve in winter sports and what the whole region is capable of if we have the right resources and opportunities. That is the reason I agreed to participate in this campaign. I am not here for myself. I’m already living my Olympic dream. I am here for thousands of young Kazakh athletes dreaming their own Olympic dreams. And I am also here for that little kid out there, alone, skating around somewhere on a frozen lake, with skates supported by plastic water bottles.

Source; translated by @yukirin1408​. Please do not repost.

Hello, this is Shoma.

I’m devoting myself to practice day after day to approach the new season and so that I can adapt to the new rules. Though it is only little by little, my new FP is gradually progressing.

This season, I chose “Moonlight Sonata,” which many legends I admire have used. I still need time and practice to make it my own, but I will put in all the more hard work so that I can skate a “Moonlight Sonata” that is mine alone.

I will continue doing my best subsequently without losing to the heat so that I can perform it somewhere at The ICE.

P.S. I received a special uniform!

“i knew that i was strong, and i knew that i always wanted to be stronger. i knew that the more i would practice, the faster i would come back. so i did, for the love of skating. when we love this sport, training is not so hard.”

twitter

I haven’t kept in touch in a while! 

Sorry I haven’t updated in so long! 

There have been many events from the last time I updated and now. 

First of all, Fantasy On Ice.

I only skated at the Makuhari show; but it was so fun, I thought I wanted to skate at all of them! By the time it ended, I was already missing it. 

It was a valuable experience to collaborate with the artists of the show, as well as to co-star with the other skaters. I’ve learned many things. 

Then there was the Olympic commemorative event, Heroes and Future in Nagano. 

Among the presents I’ve received, there was this portret of me. Medo-chan took this photo. 😝

This ice show was another opportunity to learn valuable things alongside Olympic legends. 

After finishing the two shows, I once again felt the depth and the fun of skating and it stimulated me to keep giving my best! 

In order to get a new short program, I went to train in Canada from the end of the previous month to the other day. 

I think it’s a genre that hasn’t been used before. It’s a big challenge for me, but I’ve been practicing to give out all my best and show you a new me! 

I also went to the Cricket Club and was happy about this reunion. We took a picture! 

It’s Jason and Medo-chan 😊

On an off day, I made my nails for the first time overseas! 

It’s simple and it’s only one color. 💖

Finally, the Grand Prix assignments have been decided and the new season is coming closer. I’m going to work hard to show everyone the new power-up me! 

🍍 Satoko Miyahara 🍍