Ando began skating at age nine ... At age 11, she landed her first triple jump (a Salchow) ... She is the first lady skater to land a quadruple Salchow in competition (at the JGP Final in 2002) ... Before skating, she also participated in swimming, ballet, piano and calligraphy ... Her skating idol is Yuka Sato, the 1994 world champion ... She was criticized heavily in 2006 for her disappointing performance at the 2006 Olympics ... She redeemed herself winning the world title the next year ... She had a very emotional season in 2007-08, breaking down twice during events (at the Grand Prix Final and at the world championships) ... As the defending champion, she skated off the ice with an injury during the free skate at the '08 worlds after falling twice to start her program ... She returned to the season-ending event in fine form in 2009, winning the bronze medal.
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2008 Season Notes
SP Music: "The Chairman's Waltz" from the Memories of a Geisha soundtrack by John Williams
FS Music: "Giselle" by Adolphe Adam