The transformation was nothing short of phenomenal.

News photo
Nikolai Morozov, who coached Miki Ando to the world title last season and Shizuka Arakawa to the gold medal at the 2006 Turin Olympics, speaks to The Japan Times during a recent interview. YOSHIAKI MIURA PHOTO

In one year Miki Ando went from an overweight, under-motivated skater, who looked like her best days were behind her, to world champion.