Contradicting a report from Kyodo News early Wednesday morning, the agent for figure skating star Mao Asada said she has not split with her Armenian coach, Rafael Arutunian, or decided to move her training base back to Japan.
"This story is completely untrue," said IMG's Mariko Wada, the representative for Mao and older sister Mai, by telephone on Wednesday evening. "There has been no discussion with Rafael about ending the relationship with Mao."
The 17-year-old Asada, the runnerup at last year's world championships to compatriot Miki Ando, and older sister Mai have been working with Arutunian for the past 18 months in Lake Arrowhead, Calif.