MOSCOW--Miki Ando said she was not particularly impressed with the performance that clinched her second world championship title. Instead, her mind was on the victims of the March 11 tsunami.
MOSCOW--Miki Ando said she was not particularly impressed with the performance that clinched her second world championship title. Instead, her mind was on the victims of the March 11 tsunami.
"I don't really feel any different," Ando said May 1, when asked how it felt to be crowned champion. "Especially because of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated eastern Japan, I am more worried about the people of Japan. I know I can't help by worrying about them, but I hope my medal will bring a bit of joy to my country.
The 23-year-old Ando, who was in second place, 0.33 point behind Kim Yu-na after the short program, earned 130.21 points in the free program for a total of 195.79, edging the South Korean Olympic champion, who earned 194.50 points.
Ando won her first world title in Tokyo in 2007.
With Ando's triumph, Japanese women skaters have medaled in six consecutive World Championships and picked up the gold the last two years.
"My mind was on the victims of the disaster when I was performing, so the competition meant a lot to me. That's why the value of the medal is very different from the one I got in 2007," Ando said. "I think this one is more important than the gold I got in 2007, and I would like many Japanese people to see it."
Ando said the key to victory was avoiding big mistakes, something she hasn't always been able to do in major competitions.
"I don't really feel like I won," she said. "I just didn't make any major mistakes. My short program and free skate were not my best performances of the season. I do feel a sense of accomplishment in having been able to skate a decent performance despite my bad condition."
Ando also said her recent good form is a result of her ability to control her emotions as well as the added experience of skating in two Olympic Games.
"I found a way to enjoy skating from the bottom of my heart," she said. "Previously, my emotions were reflected in my performance, but now I can enjoy skating from the bottom of my heart even when my condition is not the best.
The 2011 World Championships were originally scheduled to be held in Tokyo in late March but the event was relocated to Moscow after the March 11 disaster.