Slovak figure skater Adam Hagara has had a successful debut under the Olympic rings. In Tuesday’s short program, he ran a season high and was only 0.6 points short of his overall record. This performance moved him to the free rides, which are on the program on Friday.
In Milan, Hagara returned to an older short program to Another Love by British singer Tom Odell. In the Forum di Milano hall, he performed a quadruple tulup, then flawlessly mastered a triple axel and a combination of a triple lutz with a triple tulup.
He received a grade of 80.30 points from the judges. “I’m very satisfied, I rode my season’s best, but of course there are still things I can improve. But I rode cleanly and as best as I could at that moment.” he stated after his performance.
Hagar’s ride was relaxed, the Slovak representative seemed confident: “I tried to be relaxed. It’s always important to come to the ride in order, even if sometimes I’m under a lot of stress and especially today when I saw the scores of the others. I knew it would be difficult, but it gradually got better. I mainly tried to start the ride with a good feeling, enjoy the feeling of the Olympic audience and give the best possible performance, because that’s what I’m here for.“
In the era of independence, the 19-year-old figure skater is the first Slovak to advance to the free skates at the Olympics:I am also very proud of myself and therefore also grateful that I succeeded. A lot of people got me here, especially my parents, my coach and my coach sister, as well as the choreographers. It is never the success of me alone, but of everyone else around me. I would like to thank everyone for making it possible.”
The Slovak Olympian was also well-wished by the audience, people spontaneously clapped to his rhythm: “There is a great atmosphere and a very good audience. I went after one of the best figure skaters in the world at the moment (Juhwan Cha – note), so it was also a great honor for me. But I always try to focus on my performance and especially not to disappoint the audience, because in front of me was a figure skater of perhaps the highest caliber, and thus I tried to do my best.”
Until Friday’s competition, Hagara will devote himself to training, but he also wants to see the performance of Slovak hockey players. “I will train for two days, tomorrow will be a difficult training, because after short programs I always have to skate again. It is always more difficult. But the main thing for me is to go all out in free skating. For me, it’s the same program as I’ve ridden many times already this season, actually it’s the same program as at the European Championships, and free rides are usually my strong point,” he said.
„I’ll see, I’ll go show off and do my best to get even higher. I’m calm now, as I don’t have to progress to any further races, but of course I’m aiming for the best possible result. But I’m not even interested in any position, but rather to show myself in the best possible light and maybe make an even bigger name for myself at this Olympics. This can help me in the future. I also want to go see the hockey players, but I have training at that time tomorrow, maybe I can make it to the third period. However, I will definitely be at hockey on Saturday,” concluded Hagara.
