Japan’s Mao Asada to test triple axel at Four Continents before heading to Olympics

Asada to test triple axel before Olympics

SEOUL, South Korea — Mao Asada will have a final chance to test out her triple axel before the Olympics when she hits the ice at the Four Continents figure skating championships.

The 2008 world champion from Japan is favored to win the competition that begins Wednesday in Jeonju, about 150 miles south of Seoul. Longtime rival Kim Yu-na of South Korea is skipping the event in favor of training for the Vancouver Olympics.

“I can expect good results at the Olympics if I produce a good result here,” Asada said.

Asada will be fending off Japanese teammate Akiko Suzuki, the bronze medalist at last month’s Grand Prix finals.

In pairs, world silver medalists Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China will be looking to improve on their third-place finish at the Four Continents last year. Victory would set them up nicely for their second Winter Olympics.

Also competing are Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker of the United States, who finished fifth at the U.S. nationals.

Up-and-coming stars headline the men’s and ice dancing competitions. The men include world junior champion Adam Rippon and Ryan Bradley of the United States, Denis Ten of Kazakhstan and Shawn Sawyer of Canada.

The ice dancing competition kicks off with the “golden waltz” in the compulsories Wednesday. Competitors include Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada, who won the bronze at Skate Canada. They’ll be joined by 2009 world junior champions Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein of the United States.

Asada and her triple axel will undoubtedly take center stage, with fans watching to see if the Japanese star can maintain the momentum from her victory at nationals after a lackluster season.

A powerful jumper, the 19-year-old Asada has gone head-to-head with Kim since their time as juniors. She is one of the few women in history to successfully land the triple axel in competition.

Asada won the world title in 2008, and used her triple axel at the 2008 Grand Prix finals to edge Kim for the crown on the South Korean’s home turf.

Kim bounced back with a season-opening win at the Trophee Bompard in Paris, and claimed the world championship and Grand Prix titles in 2009. She’s a favorite to win gold in Vancouver in what would be South Korea’s first Olympic medal in figure skating.

Asada, meanwhile, failed to qualify for the Grand Prix final after a poor showing at the Rostelecom Cup, allowing teammate Miki Ando to shine. Ando finished second to Kim at the Grand Prix final and will be heading to the Olympics.

Asada dazzled at the Japanese nationals, winning her fourth straight title and igniting hopes that she’ll rally in her Olympic debut.

She practiced her triple axel Tuesday, noting that she launched into the jump 17 times during practice.

The event ends on Saturday.