Figure skating was taken away from Akiko temporarily. She learned how precious life is, but she also was able to learn that skating is a true gift.
She was more fortunate than some other skaters in Sendai and in Japan. She is able to travel to Canada to skate and train. She discovered that her skating friends in Canada and her skating friends from around the world were very, very supportive.
My Story - By Akiko Clara Ishikawa
On March 11 the Great East Japan Earth Quake hit my city. It may be a history for most of people outside Japan.15,836 people were killed and still about 3,650 people are missing.
The disaster changed many people’s lives.
As for myself I had to adjust to inconvenience – blackout, paralyzed transportation, 6-week complete shut-off of gas – meaning no hot shower during this period. All of the sudden skating became something very unrealistic. The only rink in Sendai city was severely damaged, and the ice was gone for more than four months.
My coaches and fellow skaters in Canada were so supportive and helped me lift up my spirits especially for the most difficult first month. Hearing from skaters who I even lost contact with was such a nice surprise. I came to realize how wonderful friendships I’ve developed through skating and how strong the bond is. While my phone wasn’t working, Laurainda, my best friend and a skater, living in Hong Kong called my coaches and friends in Canada to let them know I’m fine. Another skating friend in Canada sent me dried milk, granola bars, and other foods. I must say I had more just because I had less.
During the summer of 2011, I spent two weeks in Canada and skated with my fellow skaters and coaches. It was my first time to get on the ice since the earthquake. I was the first skater to get on the ice and last to get off. Most of all, I was the happiest on the ice. I thought I knew how precious the ice time is, but in reality I didn’t. On my last day, when I was back to a dressing room, I found a bracelet in my skating bag. It says “Pray for Japan.” Later I learned it was a present from one of the skaters and people make donations to the victims by buying that bracelet. It was such an emotional moment and I was deeply touched.
I'm writing this in November, 2011. More than eight months have passed since the disaster. What I’ve learned from this period is that our ordinary life including skating can slip through our fingers easily. We should live each moment like our last and skate hard as much as we can when ice is there.
Thank you for the support and friendship across the world! Very happy skating!!!
The 2011 World Figure Skating Championships Was Not Held In Japan:
Japan's horrible earthquake affected Akiko Clara Ishikawa directly, but the disaster affected the entire figure skating world. The 2011 World Figure Skating Championships had been scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan from March 21-27, 2011. The International Skating Union posted the following announcement on their website shortly after the disaster:- "...Lausanne, March 14, 2011
Taking into account the continued critical developments in Japan, the ISU’s primary concern for the safety of all participants, spectators and members of concerned entities as well as the travel advisories from many governments to avoid travel to Japan until the situation is settled, the ISU in consultation and agreement with the Japan Skating Federation (JSF) and in line with the advise of the Japanese authorities, has concluded that the staging of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2011 scheduled to be held on March 21-27, 2011 is not possible and the Championships will not be held during that time.
The postponement of the Event or alternatively the final cancellation is under evaluation."
The 2011 World Figure Skating Championships was rescheduled and did take place from April 24 through May 1, 2011 at the Megasport Arena in Moscow, Russia.
