Asada 1st after record-setting short program

And you felt the need to exclaim this- why? If she wins she wins, if she loses she loses. No need to make such a obtuse statement. (Unless you can actually prove that Kim Yuna skates "a million times better" good luck quantifying that.

I like her, she is really down to earth and really humble. Hope she will finish even better tomorrow.

Bravo! Keep it up!

Good job, Mao-chan! Best of luck on the FS.

I loved the look on her face when she saw her score. Precious.

Go Mao-chan !! Go Mao-chan !! Go Mao-chan !! Your performance was amazing !! Best wishes from your biggest fan in Iwate.

@papigiulio She is indeed a nice and down-to-earth person. Not many get to know or see this side of her.

Here she is being silly with a group of fellow skaters during their tour last year. You might recognize Gracie Gold and other Olympians in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyKVEDqFDTg

Kim Yuna is cool.... I like how she skates. The problem is more the attitude of some countrymen of hers.... You know, like submitting a letter of protest to the ISU because they did't give her a Gold medal in the Olympics and stuff?... crazy sad sad thing.

Mao Asada at the very peek of excellence achieving a world beating performance, class and beauty personified, takes your breath away, totally deserved. x

Ganbarre, Mao-san !

I wish her good luck !

I also congratulate Mr.Hanyu for winning the gold and Mr.Machida for taking the silver.

Congratulations Mao-chan! <3

It's a pity that skating seems to attract so many judging controversies, it detracts from the skill and elegance of all the participants. The ISU really needs to clean up its act worldwide.

she is so cute.. there needs to be a new ratings system.. by the people.. live on twitter or internet voting system... you have one minute to vote after performances... if someone better comes along you like better you rate higher... sure countries with more people would vote for their own kind.. but not really .. people who appreciate the art of the dance vote honestly... that is only way to make fair this system of voting that is rigged.. and who cares anyway.. it is a popularity contest.. not an athletic endeavor .. skating from one point to another is athletics... sports.. this is ice dancing at best..

Kim Yuna is naturally is million times better than Asada.

What do you mean, skating skills or her personal attractiveness?

I think she'll break the total score record after her free skate.

Asada is highly inconsistent skater. You never really know what you'll get from competition to competition.

Congrats to her, and an absolutely beautiful smile! Now let's see her do this at the next Olympics if possible and grab that elusive gold!!

Nice, but unfortunately a skater's legacy will forever be measured by their accomplishments at the Olympic games. And Asada, as great as she is, will never live up to the legacy the Japanese public wanted. But there's no shame in one silver medal.

There's a great deal of sympathy vote out there for Asada.....

In Russia the Russian wins, in Japan the Japanese win, I'm sensing a pattern. Let's go Orangestad 2056 Winter games!!!

now we wait for the protest from S Korea on behalf of YuNa

Quite possible.

nice one Chairman Mao. now we wait for the protest from S Korea on behalf of YuNa

Face it!! Asada will never be number 1 as long as Kim Yuna is in the picture. There is no competition at all!! Kim Yuna is naturally a million times better than Asada.