Figure skating sensation Mao Asada is scheduled to take part in a tournament pitting professional and amateurs in a team competition between Japan, North America and Europe in May, organizers said Tuesday.
Asada, winner of last year's Grad Prix Final, will represent Japan along with Turin Olympics athletes Miki Ando, Daisuke Takahashi and professional skater Takeshi Honda at the Japan Open free skate event to be held at Saitama Super Arena on May 14.
American teenager Kimmie Meissner, who claimed the gold at the World Figure Skating Championships last month, will participate as a representative of North America while Russian professional Alexei Yagudin will also compete.
"This will be my first meet since becoming a high school student. I'd like to beat Meissner since we are so close in age," said the 15-year-old Asada.