Miki Ando and her coach, Nikolai Morozov

Is Miki Ando's skating coach a Japan hater?

Tuesday 03rd November, 08:02 PM JST

Miki Ando, 21, recently won the gold medal at the Cup of Russia ISU Grand Prix figure skating event in Moscow, her first victory in three years. Despite changes made to her short program only four days before the performance, Ando skated with grace and confidence – showing the trust between skater and coach, according to a sports reporter.

The personal relationship between Ando and Nikolai Morozov, reported on earlier by Shukan Post, seems to be going well. But rumors have been picked up that the Belarusian coach is causing uproar among figure skating fans.

An incident happened in the evening of Oct 16 when Mao Asada, 19, finished third in the short program. Morozov, also coach to Japanese skater Nobunari Oda, was in Paris for the French Grand Prix, accompanied by Ando who was there to continue her training.

At a restaurant where some Japanese were dining, Morozov, in a tipsy state, walked over to the table to announce that “the Japanese are stupid, coming all the way out just to see this kind of competition” and further added, “I hate the Japanese. If I could, I’d push a button to do to Tokyo and Osaka just like they did to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.”

The episode was reported on the blog of Hiro Yoshida, a writer who resides in Europe and contributes articles to sports magazines. According to the blog, a friend of Yoshida happened to be dining at the restaurant and argued with Morozov, pointing out that he is coaching several Japanese skaters. Morozov’s reply was: “Miki is an exception.”

Yoshida declined Shukan Post’s request for an interview, stating he would not elaborate other than what he had stated in his blog. However, Morozov is known for openly criticizing the Skating Federation, and there may be serious repercussions if the reported incident is a fact. The federation has so far refused to comment on the matter.

Problems involving foreign coaches of Japanese figure skaters are not limited to Morozov. Asada scored poorly in the Grand Prix series, and now with a very slim chance of entering the GP Finals, she is not receiving support from her Russian coach, Tarasova. Apparently, Tatiana Tarasova has chosen to be with her Russian skaters during the Moscow competition rather than travel to Japan for Asada, who may have to perform in the upcoming national championship without her guidance. It is said that Tarasova coaches Asada three months a year and the rest of the training is delegated to an assistant. In view of her recent performance, the Japan Skating Federation has expressed its intention to discuss the matter with Tarasova, as the skater’s performance will affect the Vancouver Olympics.

Sports journalist Gentaro Taniguchi comments on foreign coaches who fail those in their charge, citing as an example former soccer manager Philippe Troussier, whose verbal outbursts had an adverse effect on the Japanese national team. “Occasionally foreign managers or coaches become uncontrollable from the Japanese perspective. When such problems emerge at a crucial moment, though, the outcome is irreversibly damaging.”

While Ando’s outstanding performance has much to do with her professional and personal relationship with her coach, the question is whether his influence will be limited to not just her skating skills, but her personality, as well.

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Latest 15 of 52 Total Comments Show All

GW at 01:53 PM JST - 5th November

I laughed when they brought up Troussier as an example, the man was clearly the best thing that ever happened to J-soccer, too bad most of it evaporated after he left, but thats to be expected.

Basically all the J-Athletes out there wanting to compete internationally you all need to get a SPINE!

I have experienced this spinlessness in work a few time where Japanese & foreign crews work for an event, typically they have some meeting where the J-side says HAI HAI to everything, but when work gets started the foreign guys find out that hai doesnt always mean yes or agreement, I have seen some tops blow & the J-side just freezes & shuts down. Its kind of hilarious to see or hear about but then makes completing the event a real PIA. I have seen foreign guys force themselves to grovel/lie to the j-side so work can re-start, it aint pretty. Japan can kind of get away with growing up in Jpn but no way outside or in the inernational arena.

Again Jpn grow some nads, you need`em!
GW at 01:55 PM JST - 5th November

shud have been "japan can get away with NOT gowing up..."
Tommygun at 02:04 PM JST - 5th November

Guy seems like a bit of a scum bag.
bcbrownboy at 05:21 PM JST - 5th November

While Ando’s outstanding performance has much to do with her professional and personal relationship with her coach, the question is whether his influence will be limited to not just her skating skills, but her personality, as well.

Personality?
tokyotom at 05:23 PM JST - 5th November

typical russian, drunk and obnoxious we all wish we were from siberia, it is the whole world's secret desire
hellhound at 10:29 PM JST - 5th November

That guy is right
Smythe at 11:19 AM JST - 6th November

I cannot comment on this one though I have some personal feelings. ONLY this involves the ways of some drunk Americans, to a Japanese figure skater, which also has to do with JPn culture, I am sure said figure skater to be good PLUS how a Russian handles or looks at things for I am a Canadian. That is basically three/four reasons I cannot make a comment only to mention I read it from start to finish along with comments of other regulars on JT.
Junnama at 11:51 AM JST - 6th November

Smythe, I don't think anybody will understand that last post, I know I didn't.

As an aside, if that is Arakawa's old coach, I am glad he got his hair cut. He looked like a lounge lizard before...
viking68 at 05:21 PM JST - 6th November

I'm with the other poster. Thought you could vent anything under the pretense that you were drunk, even if you weren't.

However, bombing Tokyo and Osaka seems a bit on the extreme side. I would take offense if I were Japanese.
ratpack at 04:49 PM JST - 9th November

Wow seems like the media have already worked out the excuse if the japanese skaters fail at the Olympics. Too bad the skaters don't have the nads of Roger Federer who did so so so much without a coach. His coach came along once he was already number 1 in the world and with grand slams under his belt. If the skaters fail at the olympics (or fail to even get to the olympics) I hope they dont point their fingers in other directions away from themselves...after all they are the ones who decided to have that particular coach in the first place aren't they????
BigInJapan at 07:38 PM JST - 9th November

It is very impolite in Japan to accuse someone for what he or she said drunk.

If every nasty or offensive statement that some high-profile Japanese makes on a nomikai would be on news... The Japanese should grow up at least their own standards. I should just post what Todai professors or Society heads say on international conferences before they vomit all over everything.
Hirota56 at 07:47 AM JST - 14th November

would not put it past him
Eizenhauer at 09:14 PM JST - 15th November

He should be go through extradition immediately and never be allowed entrance in Japan again. Such losers like this bimbo coach should be knocked out first, sent to prison for a few days and then sent back to their country. If you can't love Japan then get a f... out of here!!
WhatMeWorry at 01:50 PM JST - 18th November

Goog point on the double standard of drunken quotes. It seems that Japan wants foreign help up until they achieve success and then they yank the athlete back home to claim the victory. I agree that Japanese like to blame others and not take responsiblity. It's always the foreigners' fault.
Miyaratmosphere at 10:56 AM JST - 19th November

WhatMeWorry at 01:50 PM JST - 18th November

Goog point on the double standard of drunken quotes. It seems that Japan wants foreign help up until they achieve success and then they yank the athlete back home to claim the victory. I agree that Japanese like to blame others and not take responsiblity. It's always the foreigners' fault.

My sentiments exactly!!