Miki Ando
A Japanese jumping pioneer who conquered the world stage twice, becoming the first woman to land a quadruple salchow in competition.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Japanese figure skater·Birthday: December 18·Millennials
Biography
Miki Ando brought a powerful, athletic style to figure skating that shifted the sport's technical boundaries. Bursting onto the scene as a prodigious jumper, she shocked the skating world in 2002 by cleanly landing a quadruple salchow in junior competition—a first for any woman. Her senior career was a rollercoaster of immense talent battling inconsistency, but when she put it all together, she was untouchable. Ando claimed her first World title in 2007 in Tokyo, a victory laden with home-nation pressure. After becoming a mother in 2013, she staged one of the sport's most remarkable comebacks, refining her artistry to match her jumping prowess and capturing a second World championship in 2011. Her story is one of resilience, redefining what was physically possible for women in skating and proving that a champion's drive can evolve and deepen with life's changes.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Miki was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Miki Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Miki's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first and only female skater to land a quadruple salchow in international competition (2002 Junior Grand Prix Final).
- Won the World Figure Skating Championships twice, in 2007 and 2011.
- Claimed the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships title in 2011.
- Was the World Junior champion in 2004 and a three-time Japanese national champion.
Did You Know?
She gave birth to a daughter, Himawari, in 2013 and returned to competitive skating afterward.
She was coached by the famed Nikolai Morozov for much of her senior career.
She owns and operates a skating rink in Nagoya, Japan, called 'The Ice'.
She is a licensed pharmacist in Japan.
“The ice doesn't care about your past; you have to prove yourself every time.”
