Sota Yamamoto
- Thread starter surimi
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Sota withdrew from the Summer Cup as a precaution:
mainichi.jp
Yamamoto revealed that he experienced symptoms similar to a muscle strain in his right hamstring during a national team training camp in early July. He said the symptoms were mild, and he has decided to prioritize conditioning for the Kinoshita Group Cup, an international tournament in Tokyo in September.
Yamamoto commented, "I decided to withdraw from this competition as a precaution. I will do my best again for the Kinoshita Cup!"
*******
that Sota recovers fully, and doesn't overtrain before the Kinoshita Cup. We knew that WD wasnot out of the realm of possibility, so I'm not surprised. I just hope his injury doesn't mess up his season, and that he can compete healthy next month. Good luck! 
*******
On a more positive note, he's been added to Shizuka's Friends On Ice show. He's going to perform on August 28.
deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp
The ice show will have a total of six performances over three days from August 28th (Friday) to 30th (Sunday), but Yamamoto will only appear in the two performances on the first day (daytime performance = start time 11:30, evening performance = start time 16:00).
This year's "Friends on Ice," which marks its milestone 20th anniversary, will feature Arakawa , as well as professional skaters Daisuke Takahashi , Kana Muramoto , Takeshi Honda , Akiko Suzuki , Rika Hongo , and Kaori Sakamoto , who retired at the end of last season . Among active skaters, Yuna Aoki (Nippon Building Management) and the pair of Yuna Nagaoka and Sumitada Moriguchi (Kinoshita Academy) are also listed. Overseas skaters Shae-Lynn Bourne Tulock, Jeremy Abbott, Stéphane Lambiel, Jason Brown (USA), and Kaitlyn Weaver & Ben Agosto have been introduced as performers (scheduled).
*********
I misread the bank's name, and thought for a moment that Sota's buddy Mitsuki Sumoto has recently become a bank director
山本草太がサマーカップ欠場 「大事をとって」 | 毎日新聞
フィギュアスケート男子で2026年4大陸選手権銅メダルの山本草太選手（中京大）が7日、自身のインスタグラムで今季初戦にエントリーしていたサマーカップ（9～12日、滋賀・木下カンセーアイスアリーナ）の欠場を表明した。
mainichi.jp
Sota Yamamoto to miss Summer Cup: "Taking precautions"
Sota Yamamoto (Chukyo University), the bronze medalist in men's figure skating at the 2026 Four Continents Championships, announced on his Instagram on the 7th that he would be withdrawing from the Summer Cup (9th-12th, Kinoshita Kansei Ice Arena, Shiga), which he had entered as his first competition of the season.Yamamoto revealed that he experienced symptoms similar to a muscle strain in his right hamstring during a national team training camp in early July. He said the symptoms were mild, and he has decided to prioritize conditioning for the Kinoshita Group Cup, an international tournament in Tokyo in September.
Yamamoto commented, "I decided to withdraw from this competition as a precaution. I will do my best again for the Kinoshita Cup!"
*******
that Sota recovers fully, and doesn't overtrain before the Kinoshita Cup. We knew that WD wasnot out of the realm of possibility, so I'm not surprised. I just hope his injury doesn't mess up his season, and that he can compete healthy next month. Good luck! *******
On a more positive note, he's been added to Shizuka's Friends On Ice show. He's going to perform on August 28.
山本草太「フレンズオンアイス」出演決定 8月28日（金）2公演のみ 荒川静香さんプロデュース、20周年のアイスショー - フィギュアスケート専門情報サイトDeep Edge Plus 最新ニュース・充実のコラムをお届け
8月28日（金）～30日（日）まで3日間、計6公演を実施するアイスショーで、山本は初日の2公演（昼公演=開演時間11:30、夜公演=開演時間16:00）のみに登場するという。 節目の20周年を迎える今年の「フレンズオ […]
deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp
Sota Yamamoto to appear in "Friends on Ice" - only two performances on August 28th (Friday) - Produced by Shizuka Arakawa, the ice show celebrates its 20th anniversary.
On the 5th, the organizers of "Mitsui Sumitomo Trust Bank presents Friends on Ice 2026," an ice show produced by Shizuka Arakawa , the gold medalist in women's figure skating at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, announced that Sota Yamamoto (Chukyo University), who won a bronze medal at last season's Four Continents Championships in men's figure skating, has been confirmed to appear.The ice show will have a total of six performances over three days from August 28th (Friday) to 30th (Sunday), but Yamamoto will only appear in the two performances on the first day (daytime performance = start time 11:30, evening performance = start time 16:00).
This year's "Friends on Ice," which marks its milestone 20th anniversary, will feature Arakawa , as well as professional skaters Daisuke Takahashi , Kana Muramoto , Takeshi Honda , Akiko Suzuki , Rika Hongo , and Kaori Sakamoto , who retired at the end of last season . Among active skaters, Yuna Aoki (Nippon Building Management) and the pair of Yuna Nagaoka and Sumitada Moriguchi (Kinoshita Academy) are also listed. Overseas skaters Shae-Lynn Bourne Tulock, Jeremy Abbott, Stéphane Lambiel, Jason Brown (USA), and Kaitlyn Weaver & Ben Agosto have been introduced as performers (scheduled).
*********
I misread the bank's name, and thought for a moment that Sota's buddy Mitsuki Sumoto has recently become a bank director
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- Joined
- May 5, 2018
I'm proud of Sota 
He clearly learnt a lesson from last season and he is prioritising his health now
We will need to wait a bit longer to see his 'Roxanne', but oh well. Considering the depth of the Kinoshita field, makes total sense that he is focusing on that rather than Summer Cup.
He clearly learnt a lesson from last season and he is prioritising his health now We will need to wait a bit longer to see his 'Roxanne', but oh well. Considering the depth of the Kinoshita field, makes total sense that he is focusing on that rather than Summer Cup.
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2025
Sota cancelled his fske fanmeeting tomorrow (not that personal wfs fanmeeting)
Thank you very much for your continued support of F-Suke.
We regret to inform you that Sota Yamamoto, who was scheduled to appear at tomorrow’s Fan Meeting 2026, will no longer be able to participate. During today’s practice, he injured the same lower back area that he had hurt last season, and we have therefore made the difficult decision to cancel his appearance at short notice.
We sincerely apologize to everyone who had been looking forward to seeing him at the event, and we kindly ask for your understanding.
We sincerely wish Sota Yamamoto a swift recovery.
Thank you very much for your continued support of F-Suke.
We regret to inform you that Sota Yamamoto, who was scheduled to appear at tomorrow’s Fan Meeting 2026, will no longer be able to participate. During today’s practice, he injured the same lower back area that he had hurt last season, and we have therefore made the difficult decision to cancel his appearance at short notice.
We sincerely apologize to everyone who had been looking forward to seeing him at the event, and we kindly ask for your understanding.
We sincerely wish Sota Yamamoto a swift recovery.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Oh no, I'm gutted to hear Sota's injury has returned. That's a hamstring injury plus back injury already, and the season has barely started. 
I hope he wasn't practicing the 4F... Yes, wishing Sota a recovery as quick and complete as possible.
I hope he does the prudent thing and WDs from Kinoshita. Isn't the December Challenger an ideal replacement for the unfortunate skater cases? Or Challenge Cup?
TBH, he'll be lucky if he's healed in time for the GP. Too bad he's got the first one, but then, it's more than two months until GP France, so if he gives up chasing the points from Kinoshita and WD's in time, he might be in a better shape for the GP series than last year. He's one year older and we don't know what his injury looks like this time, and TBH it does sound ominous that it's in the same area as last year as the tissue is already damaged... but if he gives his back a two months' worth of rest (well, as much rest as one could expect from a top skater), who knows, he might come back in a good shape in October?
I definitely hope that's the case. Good luck, Sota! I hope the doctors' assessment is a positive one. We'll wait for your return.
I hope he wasn't practicing the 4F... Yes, wishing Sota a recovery as quick and complete as possible.I hope he does the prudent thing and WDs from Kinoshita. Isn't the December Challenger an ideal replacement for the unfortunate skater cases? Or Challenge Cup?
TBH, he'll be lucky if he's healed in time for the GP. Too bad he's got the first one, but then, it's more than two months until GP France, so if he gives up chasing the points from Kinoshita and WD's in time, he might be in a better shape for the GP series than last year. He's one year older and we don't know what his injury looks like this time, and TBH it does sound ominous that it's in the same area as last year as the tissue is already damaged... but if he gives his back a two months' worth of rest (well, as much rest as one could expect from a top skater), who knows, he might come back in a good shape in October?
I definitely hope that's the case.
Good luck, Sota! I hope the doctors' assessment is a positive one. We'll wait for your return.
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
My heart breaks for Sota. First, a hamstring injury getting in the way of his preparation for the season, now the back injury returns... Will he ever catch a break
I hope he understands there's no shame in WD from Kinoshita, especially considering the depth of the field. Last year he said that doing Kinoshita while injured didn't make things worse overall, but I don't know...
I hope he understands there's no shame in WD from Kinoshita, especially considering the depth of the field. Last year he said that doing Kinoshita while injured didn't make things worse overall, but I don't know...
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- Joined
- Nov 13, 2025
After leaving the fanmeeting, someone in front of me said asked Kazuki about Sota's condition (tbh i don't think it's totally proper to that but) Kazuki said he heard from Sota himself but didn't know more, and he was worried too...He also said he would tell Sota about fans' emotion...
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2025
Sota cancelled his personal fanmeeting
Below is the message we have received from Sota Yamamoto to share with everyone.
――――――――――――――――――――――――――
Thank you very much for all of your continued support.
Regarding the talk event that had been scheduled to take place, I am truly sorry to announce that I have had to withdraw from appearing at the event at short notice. During a recent practice session, I re-injured the lower back injury I suffered last season, and I will be focusing on treatment and recovery.
I sincerely apologize to everyone who had been looking forward to the event.
Once things have settled down, I hope to hold a talk event again, and I would be very grateful if you could wait until then.
I will do my best to focus on my treatment so that I can perform in front of you all again in good health.
Thank you for your continued support.
Below is the message we have received from Sota Yamamoto to share with everyone.
――――――――――――――――――――――――――
Thank you very much for all of your continued support.
Regarding the talk event that had been scheduled to take place, I am truly sorry to announce that I have had to withdraw from appearing at the event at short notice. During a recent practice session, I re-injured the lower back injury I suffered last season, and I will be focusing on treatment and recovery.
I sincerely apologize to everyone who had been looking forward to the event.
Once things have settled down, I hope to hold a talk event again, and I would be very grateful if you could wait until then.
I will do my best to focus on my treatment so that I can perform in front of you all again in good health.
Thank you for your continued support.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Get better soon, Sou-chan It's not just a minor irritation if he's canceling an in-person meeting that was to take place in 5 days. I hope he gets a lot of support from his friends, coaches and loved ones, including with assistance during physiotherapy if needed again 
That means Sota is out of the Naniwa festival, too. That's in about 10 days already. Not sure he can skate at Shizuka's show at the end of the month.
Poor thing, this is such a bad year for him, starting with last September. Hopefully his hardships also end in September, then, when they'll have completed the full circle.
I do hope he remembers his words about wanting to focus on his health, and doesn't rush his recovery in order to try and compete at Kinoshita. For a not-yet-healthy skater, it would be a hopeless mission I'm afraid, even in terms of getting some WS points, so I'm hoping he won't hesitate to WD if he's not back to full health and full training by then.
It's not just a minor irritation if he's canceling an in-person meeting that was to take place in 5 days. I hope he gets a lot of support from his friends, coaches and loved ones, including with assistance during physiotherapy if needed again That means Sota is out of the Naniwa festival, too. That's in about 10 days already. Not sure he can skate at Shizuka's show at the end of the month.
Poor thing, this is such a bad year for him, starting with last September. Hopefully his hardships also end in September, then, when they'll have completed the full circle.
I do hope he remembers his words about wanting to focus on his health, and doesn't rush his recovery in order to try and compete at Kinoshita. For a not-yet-healthy skater, it would be a hopeless mission I'm afraid, even in terms of getting some WS points, so I'm hoping he won't hesitate to WD if he's not back to full health and full training by then.
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- Joined
- May 5, 2018
As expected, Sota WD from the Naniwa Figure Skating Festival 
Huge loss for the event and for the fans who were looking forward to seeing him skate in a more intimate setting.
Weirdly, JSF posted a message with Sota, which has Kinoshita as part of his schedule...
Huge loss for the event and for the fans who were looking forward to seeing him skate in a more intimate setting.Weirdly, JSF posted a message with Sota, which has Kinoshita as part of his schedule...
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
I just hope his back gets better in time for the GP Poor Sota looks so sad again in the IG video, at least to my eyes. No wonder, he must be worrying about his Kinoshita participation. But it's very early in September, and a very difficult field. I just hope he gets another CS/B event chance by JSF, and WDs from Kinoshita, for his own health. Nothing short of a miracle would need to happen for him to be fully healed + fully trained + level-headed enough against the top Russians and top Japanese. IMO, there's nothing to be gained by competing so soon after an injury when it's likely he'd finish below even his last year's placement.
***
Here's a recent Sota interview, in which he speaks about his mom's passing for the first time. It's quite moving... ... and geoblocked. I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to read the whole thing, but this is what's visible from the free version:
mainichi.jp
In February of this year, his mother, Kayoko, passed away unexpectedly. In this interview, he spoke for the first time about his feelings for his late mother, who encouraged him to continue his career, and he also spoke about his current feelings as he faces the sport and his determination for this season.
The thank-you message he sent
For the past few seasons, Yamamoto has been struggling, experiencing disappointment and suffering as he has pursued results.
"My dream finally turned into a goal," he said, referring to her first Olympic appearance last season, when he was plagued by a back injury from the start. He finished fifth in the All Japan Championships, which served as the final selection event, and his biggest goal was not achieved.
At 26 years old, with his future uncertain, Yamamoto has chosen to continue competing this season.
"I started skating because I love it. I want to have a competitive career where I can continue to love my own skating. Of course, I think the training will get harder in order to get results, but I want to approach this sport from a different angle this season, while having the composure to even enjoy that."
After saying that, he continued, "I hope to be able to turn all kinds of experiences into the joy of skating."
Among his many experiences was the farewell to his beloved mother, with whom he had walked hand in hand since childhood.
"This is the first time I've said this, but..."
Yamamoto began by saying that, and then continued speaking...
[the rest is paid]
***
It says that his mom passed away very shortly after Kokutai The thank-you message in the headline refers to Sota's mom congratulating him after 4CC, and Sota thanking her for all she'd done for him in turn. I was really touched by a part in which Sota mentions he talks to his mom's photo sometimes. I do think he's chosen the best way possible of dealing with such a tragedy. His mom would be so proud of him 
BTW, user feedback wanted: Sota posted on Twitter that this Thursday would have been his mom's birthday. I posted a happy birthday wish in the reply section, though it's in-memoriam, but I'm doubtful whether it was appropriate or if it might come across as insensitive... I didn't want to pass Sota's post by simply clicking a reaction emoticon, yet felt that maybe sending commiseration and condolences could add to Sota's already profound sadness, so I wanted to opt for something to show Mrs. Yamamoto is still with him in some capacity... but not sure at the moment if I picked a tactful way to put it across or not. Thoughts?
Poor Sota looks so sad again in the IG video, at least to my eyes. No wonder, he must be worrying about his Kinoshita participation. But it's very early in September, and a very difficult field. I just hope he gets another CS/B event chance by JSF, and WDs from Kinoshita, for his own health. Nothing short of a miracle would need to happen for him to be fully healed + fully trained + level-headed enough against the top Russians and top Japanese. IMO, there's nothing to be gained by competing so soon after an injury when it's likely he'd finish below even his last year's placement.***
Here's a recent Sota interview, in which he speaks about his mom's passing for the first time. It's quite moving...
... and geoblocked. I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to read the whole thing, but this is what's visible from the free version:
山本草太「初めて言うんですけど」 母との別れ、固まった決意 | 毎日新聞
フィギュアスケート男子で昨季の4大陸選手権銅メダルの山本草太選手（中京大）が毎日新聞のインタビューに応じた。 今年2月に母・圭余子（かよこ）さんが急逝。現役続行の決断を後押ししてくれた亡き母への思いを取材で初めて口にし、競技と向き合う現在の心境や今季へ懸ける決意を語った。【倉沢仁志】
mainichi.jp
Sota Yamamoto: "I'm saying this for the first time," Saying goodbye to my mother, and my firm resolve
Sota Yamamoto (Chukyo University), who won the bronze medal in men's figure skating at last season's Four Continents Championships, gave an interview to the Mainichi Shimbun.In February of this year, his mother, Kayoko, passed away unexpectedly. In this interview, he spoke for the first time about his feelings for his late mother, who encouraged him to continue his career, and he also spoke about his current feelings as he faces the sport and his determination for this season.
The thank-you message he sent
For the past few seasons, Yamamoto has been struggling, experiencing disappointment and suffering as he has pursued results.
"My dream finally turned into a goal," he said, referring to her first Olympic appearance last season, when he was plagued by a back injury from the start. He finished fifth in the All Japan Championships, which served as the final selection event, and his biggest goal was not achieved.
At 26 years old, with his future uncertain, Yamamoto has chosen to continue competing this season.
"I started skating because I love it. I want to have a competitive career where I can continue to love my own skating. Of course, I think the training will get harder in order to get results, but I want to approach this sport from a different angle this season, while having the composure to even enjoy that."
After saying that, he continued, "I hope to be able to turn all kinds of experiences into the joy of skating."
Among his many experiences was the farewell to his beloved mother, with whom he had walked hand in hand since childhood.
"This is the first time I've said this, but..."
Yamamoto began by saying that, and then continued speaking...
[the rest is paid]
***
It says that his mom passed away very shortly after Kokutai
The thank-you message in the headline refers to Sota's mom congratulating him after 4CC, and Sota thanking her for all she'd done for him in turn. I was really touched by a part in which Sota mentions he talks to his mom's photo sometimes. I do think he's chosen the best way possible of dealing with such a tragedy. His mom would be so proud of him BTW, user feedback wanted: Sota posted on Twitter that this Thursday would have been his mom's birthday. I posted a happy birthday wish in the reply section, though it's in-memoriam, but I'm doubtful whether it was appropriate or if it might come across as insensitive... I didn't want to pass Sota's post by simply clicking a reaction emoticon, yet felt that maybe sending commiseration and condolences could add to Sota's already profound sadness, so I wanted to opt for something to show Mrs. Yamamoto is still with him in some capacity... but not sure at the moment if I picked a tactful way to put it across or not. Thoughts?
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2025
As expected, Sota WD from the Naniwa Figure Skating Festival
Weirdly, JSF posted a message with Sota, which has Kinoshita as part of his schedule...
I think that video was filmed during training camp in July. And Sota hasn't withdrew from Kinoshita cup officially. That's why they still have him in schedule
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Yes, I understand that. It was just a bit jarring to see the two tweets (Naniwa Festival WD and JSF schedule) on the same day
JSF posted Kao today so I guess JSF tweet was just scheduled, rather than having a deep meaning.I think you're fine
The interview, and the fact that he revealed her birthday, gave me the impression he wanted his mum to be remembered and celebrated. I think he will understand your comment came from a good place, especially considering he himself said he talks to her picture as if she is still present with him.
