In the last competition of this season: 2008 International "AEGON" Challenge Cup in Netherlands, I was not satisfied with my performances both of SP/FS, as those were not at my best, though, I was happy with winning a gold. And so relieved that I finished such a tighter scheduled season, than I had before, without any injury or disease, in good health.

But, one mission was left to me there, in Netherlands.

In the evening, after SP in 1st place, our team leader called me, and said: "I guess, you could perform the exhibition program, that will be something special. One Dutch girl, who has suffered from a neurological disease, she can't compete here, won't be able to perform her special program for this competition. She would have been featured by the acclaimed Dutch pianist - he's going to perform his original song dedicated to her, together on the ice. So, the gold medalist of senior LADIES, will take place for her." Once I had listened to that, I wanted to win, "to perform that special." …just imagined.

Then, I finished FS in 1st place, we had a meeting for the next day exhibition. They asked, "Would you like to perform, both the special and your program?", I said "Yes," for I couldn't imagine how the special would be. One hour practice was scheduled for it, in the next morning. They gave me its CD, but we had neither CD player nor PC with us, and there was not the rental service in our hotel, I could not play it…

Next morning, later the practice for my own program, I had listened to it, for the very first time. As the one hour rehearsal had passed, I had taken a shower of music, to sense it with my brain and body, however, I was not sure how it went. So, I settled only the elements, and the rest of them, to figure the music with my own touch.

Meanwhile, our team leader and the organizer were talking about my blank season, they asked "How far can we describe it? when we introduce you to crowds." At that time, I knew her illness [not the same as Akiko’s]. - I didn't know about her circumstances, which was told in English, but I did know, she turned in the same condition as I had once. All my skin took goosebumps, and it took for a while to realize. I was surprised, the organizers as well. They seemed to be shocked. "You can describe it at all, as you like," I told them.

Following that, I met the pianist, Mr. Wibi Soerjadi, and we had a little chat.

Remaining two hours until the opening of the exhibition, I was going to be in private, for a preparation. Then, colorful emotions, absorbed me. "…you're serious, too much," you might say, but I felt it really serious, that was not just a coincidence. "I will do make this program, which connects with the audiences!" I wanted. And I guessed, it was a chance for me, to thank Figure Skating, that saved my life. Some worry, tension, and the beat on me, the exhibition started.

My "Titanic" was the last program of the 1st stage, and we performed, "Bellezza - Wibi and Akiko", the last of the 2nd stage. A piano came in the center of the rink, the presenter, Joan gave some introductions to me. (I didn't understand in Dutch, except for the name of disease.)
And Wibi filled with his piano. So calm moment there. His piano sounded beautiful; delicate wonderfully!; and sweet. I got its sounds better than in the CD-rehearsal, I needed no count. It was much pleasant for me, that only my skating and his piano figured the music on the ice. It was euphoria. I found myself, really, really happy, when we finished. Great applauds made me moved, I could not fight back my tears.

Getting out of the rink, Brittney & Tugba embraced me.
*Brittney RIZO[USA] & Tugba KARADEMIR[Turkey]
I am thankful for that I hadn’t given up Figure Skating…

Joan, a presenter called the girl, who could not compete there. "tell her a thank-you for me," she asked by phone. Joan said to me, "So great! You deserved to play this role. You're a brave lady, I'm your fan!"

I am so grateful to everyone, for such a fantastic opportunity, I really appreciate.
As if you have gifted me a present, the end of this season - that's a special.
Thank you, very much.

I would like to save this special experience, as a relic, so I have written it.
I'm sorry if I couldn’t tell you well.