She Chose Her Baby Over Skating

Miki Ando was a champion Japanese figure skater – a three-time national champion and two-time World Champion, plus she participated in two Olympics.  In the midst of her fame and success, Miki, who is still single, became pregnant, which is greatly frowned upon in Japan.  The pressure to abort was immense, but she chose life for her daughter.  “I have chosen the baby’s life over skating.  It was a decision I made naturally as a woman.”  The English meaning of her daughter’s name is “sunflower,” because in Miki’s words, “A sunflower follows the sun all the time.”  In the end, Miki is even more popular than ever in Japan.  She’s a TV personality and a skating coach, while still skating professionally.  God always had a special plan for both Miki and her daughter.