Quotes by Shizuka Arakawa

“To win I need to do a triple-triple jump. But Ive got to be good overall. I dont see the triple-triple combination alone as the winning factor.”

“I think I will realize that I have won gold in the next two or three days. Many times Ive thought about quitting. Im happy I have continued.”

“Im just so surprised about all of this that Im speechless. I never expected that I would be the first one to win a medal for Japan, so I didnt feel that pressure. But Im very happy that I am the one who won it.”

“Im satisfied with the way I skated today. I didnt make any major mistakes, I planned to do a triple lutz, triple loop but didnt have the confidence to pull it off.”

“Im quite comfortable with my skating now and I think I made the right decision over the music changes. I want to perform the way people might say they want to watch it again.”

“I wasnt expecting this. Im finding it hard to find words. I couldnt think at all with that gold medal around my neck.”

“I poured all my strength into the Olympics, which was always the chief priority for me and Im still in a situation where I cant relax.”

“I had made mistakes in the short program earlier this season, but I finally didnt make any. Im satisfied more with my performance than my position. It was my best short program this season and hopefully my performance in the free skate will help take me to the Olympics.”

“I hope this will be an inspiration for the future generation of skaters.”

“Im surprised right now. I cant find the words for it. I couldnt think at all during the medal ceremony, with the gold medal around my neck.”