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Miki AndoJapanese figure skater
Date of Birth: 18.12.1987
Country:  Japan |
Content:
- Miku Ando: A Trailblazing Figure Skater
- Junior Success and Rise to Fame
- Coaching Change and Championship Victory
- Injury and Paralympic Success
Miku Ando: A Trailblazing Figure Skater
Japanese Figure Skating StarMiku Ando, a Japanese figure skater, made history as the first and only female skater to successfully execute a quadruple jump in competition. She began her skating journey at the age of nine and captivated the figure skating world in 2002 when she became the first woman to perform a quadruple Salchow at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final.
Junior Success and Rise to Fame
Ando's talent shone through when she won the Junior Grand Prix Final in 2004 and became the World Junior Champion. However, her Olympic season in 2005-2006 was marked by disappointment as she placed 15th in Turin after falls on her quadruple jumps.
Coaching Change and Championship Victory
Following a coaching change from Carol Heiss to Nikolai Morozov, Ando rebounded in the 2006-2007 season. She triumphed at the Skate America Grand Prix stage and placed second at the Trophee Eric Bompard. Despite her fifth-place finish at the Grand Prix Final due to a gastrointestinal illness, Ando excelled at the Japanese National Championships, securing second place behind Mao Asada. Her determination culminated in a remarkable victory at the 2007 World Championships, where she narrowly defeated Asada by one point with a total score of 195.09.
Injury and Paralympic Success
Ando's success continued at the 2008 Four Continents Championships, where she earned a bronze medal. However, an aggravated leg injury forced her to withdraw from the World Championships that year. In the 2008-2009 season, Ando placed third at Skate America and second at the Cup of China before finishing sixth at the Grand Prix Final.
Ando's legacy extends beyond competitive figure skating. She retired in 2013 and has since pursued coaching and dance, sharing her passion for the sport with others. Her trailblazing achievements and unwavering spirit continue to inspire figure skaters worldwide.
