Sota Yamamoto

[KiraraChin]

In general, skaters tend to have a simpler layout for less important competitions, it may help to establish better Component marks too, and they skate to the most "jumpy" layout only at European/Four Continents and World (potentially Olympic) championships. Alas, last season Sota Yamamoto could compete only at the University Games in the second half of the season, which isn't considered a "big championship".

I think it really depends, for example, Kazuki only waters down his content for shows, never for competitions, no matter how small the competition is (he didn't do it even when he was injured )

However, we've seen Sota speak about doing 4 quads and then adjusting to 3 quads depending on the competition/circumstances, so I'm hopefully he'll do the same next season if he needs to

On a different note, Chunichi Shimbun podcast talked about Sota's free last season, which was voted by fans as one of the favourite programmes/costumes of the season! Deserved!

 

[KiraraChin]

Sota's funding has been upgraded from Group B to Group A, following his GP assignments

 

[surimi]

On a different note, Chunichi Shimbun podcast talked about Sota's free last season, which was voted by fans as one of the favourite programmes/costumes of the season! Deserved!

No wonder. I miss it a lot. In his last Unlim online meeting, Sota said he was aware his FS was universally well-liked.
Also, good for Sota to be upgraded to A! That should help with his training funding a lot.

He keeps practicing 4F with the goal of landing it in competition, and says his success rate has improved while his health isn't suffering. He even landed a 4F-3T, and I do hope he won't go for that in competitions. The 4F is hard enough.

Sota's next Unlim talkshow is this Monday.

And Chukyo have been introducing their skaters online, and shared this:


Aww, I hadn't seen baby Sota pics in ages. So cute! It seems we'll need to wait yet for the interview that Chukyo did with him.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

No wonder. I miss it a lot. In his last Unlim online meeting, Sota said he was aware his FS was universally well-liked.
Also, good for Sota to be upgraded to A! That should help with his training funding a lot.

He keeps practicing 4F with the goal of landing it in competition, and says his success rate has improved while his health isn't suffering. He even landed a 4F-3T, and I do hope he won't go for that in competitions. The 4F is hard enough.

Sota's next Unlim talkshow is this Monday.

And Chukyo have been introducing their skaters online, and shared this:


Aww, I hadn't seen baby Sota pics in ages. So cute! It seems we'll need to wait yet for the interview that Chukyo did with him.

Some skaters have a more stable jump in combination, than Solo; although, it's often with +2T, which would hardly suit a 4F.

 

[surimi]

Here we go, program confirmation.


FS... kill me now. I really hope he'll be active for at least one more season, and use that time to skate to something better. It would be a shame if a skater who started his international senior career with something as iconic as Nobunaga Concerto ended it with something as tacky and overplayed as Hallelujah. Now you guys get why I miss the original, lovely FS from last season so much. Lori's pick for him was a major letdown this time.

 

[KiraraChin]

@surimi I'm with you, I don't see these choices as being very inspired, especially not for the Olympic season. I hope he at least re-works the choreography for Yesterday, so it's not exactly the same programme... But it seems he is super focused on the 4F now

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Do you think it might have to do with his being Team B at the beginning of the off-season, with less funding for new programs? I hope it's not! I really hope it's his own choice of programs he feels comfortable skating to.

 

[surimi]

Do you think it might have to do with his being Team B at the beginning of the off-season, with less funding for new programs? I hope it's not! I really hope it's his own choice of programs he feels comfortable skating to.

Reasonable point, but I think if it was a funding issue, he wouldn't have traveled to Canada to get choreographed by Lori. There are Japanese choreographers who are fully capable of creating great-scoring programs (like Kenji Miyamoto, who did choreo for Shoma and many more), and Sota wouldn't have to travel far, and pay for an interpreter like he had to do this spring.
I rather think his SP pick has a lot to do with wanting to skate clean. He says he feels very comfortable with Yesterday, it was received well by the judges, and he knows it by heart (though he'll probably make tweaks here and there to reflect rules changes etc).

FS... that one is a mystery to me. I'd need to refresh my memory going through old Unlim footages to recall what exactly he said, but I think he and Lori arrived at this ...gem... after brief deliberation after Lori had sent him her suggestions. If her other suggestions were, say, Bolero, Elvis, Hip Hip Chin Chin, An American In Paris, Notre Dame or some tuneless Benoit-esque wailing, I'd kind of get why Sota would go for the least evil. We'll never know what the other songs were. I just hope he gets something better next season, something that says 'Sota' with such drama flair as Nobunaga Concerto did. (And that he gets his shoulder taken care of in the meantime )

 

[KiraraChin]

Guys, Sota announced he is now affiliated with his sponsor, MIXI. This is so cool, because it provides the financial support necessary to focus on his training, regardless of JSF's funding. He totally deserves this, not only for his hard work on the ice, but all the thoughtful effort he puts into his fan meetings as well. Congrats, Sota!

 

[surimi]

Thanks for sharing, Kirara!
Here's Sota's comment from Nikkan Sports - 'Yamamoto commented through the company, "I am very happy. I will never forget my gratitude and will continue to work harder toward my goal so that I can show everyone who supports me a good performance."'

Here's a big article about Sota by Chunichi (and especially about his Yesterday program), with a Youtube link to his Chukyo interview: https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/1090956
I'm incuding the machine translation for those who don't want to click the link, bold in quotes mostly mine:

A program entrusted to Sota with skating​

"Yesterday" is a famous song by The Beatles. This program was created by Mihoko Higuchi, who was a coach at the Grand Prix Tokai Club at the time, immediately after he transferred to the club in 2021.
The 2020-21 season is the preseason for the Beijing Winter Olympics. Having returned from a serious injury he suffered as a junior and once again taking part in the battle on the ice, Yamamoto found himself in difficulties. He took a leave of absence from Chukyo University and moved his base to Kansai to practice, and continued to struggle to make even a little progress, but he finished in 9th place at the 2020 All Japan Championships.
"That was the lowest point. It was a match that made me think about retiring. I was working hard this season too, but it was a difficult season. I think I was dealt the final blow at the All Japan Championships."
After the 2020 All Japan Championships, he spent a period of instability practicing alone while searching for a transfer destination.
So he made a fresh start. He decided to transfer to the Grand Prix Tokai Club, where coach Machiko Yamada, who had trained 2010 Vancouver Olympic silver medalist Mao Asada and others, was working. At that time, Higuchi entrusted this program to Sota, saying, "I want Sota to skate to this now."

A life that had been going smoothly was suddenly plunged into darkness. As a junior, he was expected to have a bright future, but he was plagued by injuries. Higuchi crafted the program to portray how he would rise from those difficulties.
Yamamoto also translated the lyrics to find out their meaning and understood the background of the song. As he skated, he felt the program smoothly become familiar to his body. "At the time, I was still unstable with only one quadruple jump, but by Yesterday, I was almost mistake-free," he recalled.
"My skating career has been very well-suited to this program, and it's very much me." We will support Yamamoto's leap forward. He will continue with this program in the 2022-23 season. At the GP series NHK Trophy, he took the lead in the short program, beating Shoma Uno, and ultimately placed second. And in his first appearance at the GP Final, it was the key to winning the silver medal.

"It's like a great ally. It's like a talisman."​

For the 2023-2024 season and the 2024-2025 season, he commissioned an overseas choreographer to create a program that would bring out new charms. He performed a program that featured mature jazz and contemporary movements, but "it was difficult to make it my own." At times like that, he said, she sometimes wondered, "Should I go back to Yesterday?" However, by not going back and taking on the challenge and completing the season, she must have been able to reaffirm how she could bring out 100% of her strengths.
An important year to decide the Olympic representative. When deciding the program, Yesterday was the first thing that came to mind. "It's the season of the competition. When I thought about what to do, I thought of Yesterday. It's a program that I can be confident in."
Another reason for the selection was the way Yamamoto fought in the 2022-23 season, which was a year of great progress. This season, he always scored in the 90s in the SP, and exceeded 100 points at the Winter World University Games. "I had a really good start in the short program, and with that savings I was able to barely make it to the podium, or go to the GP Final, and there were many times like that. Yesterday has really helped me a lot, and it's such a strong ally."
Of course, he is aiming for a score of 100 points in the SP. With his strong partner, he will dance in his own way, make a good start, and compete with the free "Hallelujah" choreographed by Lori Nichol. That is how Yamamoto will fight in the Olympic season.

Piling up many "yesterdays"​

When Yamamoto created this program, he was only able to include one quadruple jump. Now, he naturally includes two quadruple jumps in the SP, but it's surprising to think that the first step was only yesterday. Every day, he has steadily made progress, and the accumulation of these days colors his present.
"I've been skating for about 20 years, and I've had injuries and been in a bad mood. There were many times when I wondered if I could continue skating, but I'm happy just to be able to challenge the Olympic season now, and I'm really enjoying this challenge. I hope I can enjoy this challenge." I hope
that when he stands on the big stage, the many "yesterdays" will give Yamamoto confidence and shine. With that wish, I would like to look at his performances this season.

*********

The video with the interview is massive (45 minutes!), Chunichi! The first minute shows Sota's practice at Chukyo, the rest is his interview.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Guys, Sota announced he is now affiliated with his sponsor, MIXI. This is so cool, because it provides the financial support necessary to focus on his training, regardless of JSF's funding. He totally deserves this, not only for his hard work on the ice, but all the thoughtful effort he puts into his fan meetings as well. Congrats, Sota!

I'm so happy for him! Now both him and Kazuki Tomono are sararimen and it must be such a relief! Congratulations!

 

[rRainbow]

Youtube link to his Chukyo interview: https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/1090956

I'm working on translating the Youtube video of Sota's interview by Chunichi. It's a long interview, so I'll post the translation in parts until it's finished.
C: = Chunichi interviewer

Part 1
Sota: Thank you for having me. C:Thank you for coming.

C: About last season:

I tried very hard to be mindful of my expression, but I didn't get the desired results in many competitions. However, there were also competitions where my expression was good. Overall, I didn't feel like I was able to refine my expression, but it was a season where I explored it while being conscious of it.

C: About last year's theme of "refinement."

I think I'm relatively good at dynamic expression. However, I still have challenges with emotional expression and delicate movements from my fingertips to my toes. So, in that sense, when creating the program this season with Lori-san, I prioritized those basic elements. That’s why the word "refined" emerged from various considerations.

C: When did you start wanting to focus on delicate expressions?

Hmm, let me think. Probably around two seasons ago. I’ve always thought about it, but three seasons ago, I focused more on jumps. I felt my performance improved significantly with "Yesterday" and "Rachmaninoff," but at that time, I focused more on jumps than expressions. While my jumps improved, areas like expression and transitions still needed work. So, while the success rate of my jumps gradually improved, expression and transitions remained challenging for me. Around two seasons ago, I started paying more attention to those areas, and last season, I focused more on expression in my training.

C: As you mentioned earlier, there were good times and bad times. What were the good times like?

The free skate at the Nebelhorn Trophy, the first competition of the season, went really well. Lori-san praised me, saying, "I want you to practice and compete with this kind of expression and mindset throughout the season." It was a performance that could be used as an good example. At that time, though, I had some issues, like my neck suddenly stiffening up at the venue, so practice wasn't going smoothly. But I had been training hard during the off-season, so my performance in the competition was better than my practice performances. Honestly, everything just clicked perfectly during that competition and free skate. I was able to relax and enjoy it, which led to more natural body movements.

C: What did choreographer Lori-san tell you?

It depends on the scale of the competition, but when the tension is high, it's important to be soft in your body movements and use your knees, ankles, and hips. It's hard to explain, but when the music is intense and you're focused, that's good. In the free "Melting" program, though, the music starts with a soft, gentle atmosphere. During the choreography stage, Lori-san advised me to show my teeth or make soft, gentle expressions. I was a bit too focused and ended up concentrating too much, so my expression became serious. She pointed out that this was contrary to the melody and gave me some advice. She said that during the Nebelhorn competition, those aspects came naturally. She suggested watching my Nebelhorn free program for imagery training.

- To be cont'd -

 

[rRainbow]

Part 2

C: What did you gain from last season?

I feel that if you can't do it in practice, you won't be able to do it in a real competition. Being able to do something in practice doesn't mean you can do it in a real competition. In fact, even if you can do it in practice, most of the time, you can't do it in a real competition. I really believe that, and I've felt that way lately. Last year, there were many unstable moments during practice. At the time, I thought failure was inevitable. Even now, looking back, I still feel that way. During the season, I tried to focus on improving the quality of practice and increasing the success rate. However, there were long periods when my form wasn’t good. The fluctuations between good and bad periods were significant, and there were more bad periods than good ones. This season, I think I’ve built up really good off-season practice. By learning from last season, I’ve become more confident and am enjoying myself. I plan to start competing around July, so my practice and my feel for competition will change. I want to continue building that feel for competition as I prepare for this season.

C: Regarding practice:

When I'm consistently jumping well and feeling confident, it carries over to other areas as well. When my jumps are going well during practice, I can approach run-throughs with confidence. However, if I try run-throughs with lingering doubts from jump training, it ultimately doesn’t go well. It's important to keep practicing. The success rate and confidence gained from jump training translate into mental ease. I truly believe that both are interconnected. Right now, I’m highly focused on the technical aspects of jump training. The quality of my training is so good that I say to myself, "Why couldn't I do this jump last year?" My success rate is steadily improving. Even though it's only May, I'm working hard to ensure that everyone can see the improvement in my performance during competitions.

C: What did you learn from the choreographer?

I think Benoît-san was originally an ice dancer. He showed me some dynamic moves on the ice that were contemporary and unique. They were powerful and distinctive, and I think they were a distinctive way for him to express himself. I learned movements that I had never done before and movements that are addictive thanks to Benoît-san. As I mentioned earlier, I didn't have a high success rate with jumps, nor did I have many good performances in competitions. However, I surprisingly liked last year's short and free programs when I looked at them alone. They were very different, but I felt they brought out my strengths and suited my style with a melody that matched my vibe. I learned a lot from that experience.

For the free skate, it was "Melting" by Lori Nichol-san, a program that suited my skating style and expression well. Last year's free skate received a lot of praise, and it's the program for which I've received the most compliments in recent years. People said things like "I love this program" and "I love this music."

C: Oh, I see.

Yes, it was very well-received. Not only did my fellow skaters, coaches, and fans say it was amazing, but so did many people close to me. This kind of feedback is an indicator of how well the program suits me. After creating a program, the reactions I receive are key to understanding how well the program and I match. I feel like this program truly suits me, and it has become one of my favorites.

C: Discoveries made in the new movements

Benoît-san really emphasized how to use my free leg. I tend to rely too much on my upper body when trying to express myself, but I realized that skating is a sport where you can also express yourself with your feet. To be honest, there are parts that I’m not good at. How do I put it? I need to take unique or dynamic postures by lifting my legs or using my free leg to express myself. I was corrected quite a lot in those areas. Even during the brush-up, I was told to pay attention to my free leg. It was a program that made me want to overcome my weaknesses.

C: Ah, so that's how it was.

　　- To be cont'd -

 

[rRainbow]

Part 3

I learned a lot from those kinds of things, and I think there were many other surprisingly useful things to learn. Until then, I had been trying to trace the steps accurately, but I had been doing it by feel. However, I realized it's important to consciously trace the steps in my head, such as when drawing a circle. Lori-san often drew the steps in her notebook and told me to trace the same patterns on ice as the ones in her notebook. She would pay close attention to my gliding courses and point out my deviations, which were things I hadn’t really been conscious of before. It was tough, but I think it was good to use my head. It’s hard for me to remember steps when I'm learning them for the first time, but when I draw them on paper and try to express them with my body, I can trace the steps more easily. I think I’ve started to analyze my body movements more accurately by thinking about them. I was taught the basics of compulsory routines and steps. In that sense, it was tedious, but I improved in some areas, especially in the free program.

C: Did you notice those improvements yourself?

Yes, I think good performances like the one at Nebelhorn are the result of diligent work. For example, I think my footwork improved, and my body movements became more delicate and soft. I think it's the accumulation of those small things. That accumulation contributes to a good performance. Even if I don't succeed with a jump, as long as I'm aware of it, I can still express my emotions. That's something I want to work on separately from jumps.

C: What about the choreographer, Lori-san?

I was like, "Yay! I'm so lucky to be working with a choreographer that everyone wants to hire this season." That's how amazing she is! I’m happy to be one of those people. She created a wonderful program for me. Everyone said Lori and I were a great match. Even though it was my first time working with her, I think she made a great program for me. That's one of the reasons I asked her to be my choreographer again this season.

C: Do you personally feel that compatibility?

Honestly, I don't really know, but many people around me have said so. There are different styles of choreography. Benoît-san has a unique contemporary style, but Lori-san's style is more classic and elegant. My skating style aligns more with hers, so we might actually match well. There are famous choreographers overseas, like Shae-Lynn-san, but I haven't asked her to choreograph for me. Shae-Lynn-san is really good at upbeat, unconventional expressions. It might be interesting to try, but my skating style is completely different. I guess choreographers do have their own styles.

C: I see. Setting aside this season, are there any other types of performances you would like to try? Something completely different from what you've done before? Something you've never done before? Like Chameleon, for example.

It's surprising how people tend to like programs that I'm not particularly good at rather than ones that are easier to perform. The more challenging programs tend to leave a stronger impression on people because they're something they've never seen before. The Chameleon and Teeth programs, for example, were well-received, but when I look at them from an expression standpoint, I feel like there are parts I haven't fully expressed yet. As for jumps, I'm bringing back "Yesterday" for the short program this season. I think the tempo of the music naturally suits my jumping style. Up-tempo music might be challenging for me. I think there’s a certain type of skating style that suits me.

C: But I guess that's something you can only figure out by trying, right?

Yes, that's right. Last year, too, how do I put it? Last year's short program was also kind of slow. Surprisingly, though, it was on a different wavelength, so to speak. I ended up not being able to skate it well throughout the season. He made a really good program for me, but I couldn't technically execute those jumps. That was my inability. In that sense, I really think "Yesterday" is a program that suits me perfectly.

C: Regarding the season, "going on the offensive"

I'm currently practicing with a competitive mindset, and it's making practice fun. Instead of playing it safe with easier jumps, I want to challenge myself and learn new ones. After the season ended, Machiko-sensei told me, "You'll do the flip and the Lutz" (laughs). I’m getting daily motivation from her these days, so I think she's saying that because she believes it's necessary instead of maintaining the status quo. I want to live up to her expectations. My success rate with the flip isn’t improving quickly, but I can see it getting better little by little. I'm ambitious and hope to land it in an actual competition soon.

　　－To be cont'd -

 

[rRainbow]

Part 4

C: Regarding the University Games with the flip

Yes, last year's free program also included a flip. However, in many important competitions, my success rate was low, so I had no choice but to omit it. I ended up playing it safe, but my performance and results didn't improve, so I was disappointed last year. I thought, "It's worth a try, even if I fail the flip," because if I kept the same downgraded content, I wouldn't make any progress. At the Universiade, my short program wasn't great, and my flip wasn't in good form either. However, I decided it was better to try than to remain stagnant, so I went for it with the mindset that it was okay to fail. Surprisingly, it turned out relatively well, and the other jumps were better than in previous competitions. Most importantly, the challenge itself was really fun, so I was able to compete with a joyful spirit. In that sense, even though I used the phrase "going on the offensive" in the previous event as one theme, I think it's important to cherish that joyful spirit and carry it forward this season.

C: Is that because you're the type of person who enjoys challenges and moving forward?

Well, things usually don't go well, but sometimes, if I hold back a bit, things might unexpectedly turn out well. After all, I've repeated this process many times. Until a few seasons ago, I couldn't land a single quad. But by repeatedly trying two quads or two different jumps, I finally started landing the Salchow and the toe loop. My three-quad content started to stabilize. So, even when I'm not in good form and can't see the future clearly, I believe I'll eventually achieve success. Last season was really tough, but this season, I hope to realize what I've been working on.

C: Reasons for Bringing Back "Yesterday" as a Short Program

This may overlap a bit with what I said earlier, but two seasons ago, I did a program called "Chameleon," and last year, I did a short program by Benoit-san. I let the choreographers choose these programs, which were a bit challenging. I realized that I wanted to perform a program that would really show off my strengths. Also, “Yesterday” was a short program that worked well for me. Since this season is crucial, I wanted to bring back a short program that gives me confidence (laughs). I want to compete with it.

C: Instead of creating something new, you chose to do it again. So, "Yesterday" was really good, wasn't it? After skating it for two seasons?

Yes, I guess so. Ideally, as a skater, you strive to perfect new programs and perform a variety of them. That would be truly impressive and ideal. Last season, however, the short program didn't go well. In mid-season, I briefly considered switching to a different song or going back to the old one. Still, Benoît-san created the program, and I wanted to complete the season with it as a new challenge. I tried to stick with it throughout the season, but, honestly, only one performance went well. While working on the program last year, I had considered "Yesterday" as well, but I wanted to finish last year's short program, so I stuck with it until the end of the season. The short program "Yesterday" is special to me. Even now, after a long time, I can perform it at a high level, so I feel it's a program that really suits me.

C: That was the program Mihoko-sensei created for you, wasn't it?

Yes, that's right. Was it four or three years ago? Mihoko-sensei probably created it for me four years ago. Back then, in the first season, it only had one quadruple jump. It was still unstable, but "Yesterday" was the program where I rarely made mistakes. I can still practice it smoothly, so it’s completely different from last year's short program. After I practice the short program, I can move on to the free program right away. In that sense, it’s a program with which I’m really comfortable.

- To be cont'd -

 

[rRainbow]

Part 5

C: What do you think Mihoko-sensei intended by entrusting you with this program?

Well, she sent me the translated lyrics, and the lyrics and background resonated with my skating life. I think it really suited my expression and vibe. When I tried it, it turned out to fit surprisingly well. To be honest, I really felt that way.

C: Ah, I see.

Yes, at first, there were various candidate songs, and I chose this one. Every year, I choose the song that I think is the best. I think "Yesterday" happened to be the program that matched everything perfectly, including my expression and jumps.

C: Were you hesitant at first about doing this song?

Hmm, it’s not that I hesitated. At that time, I had trouble finding a team to join, and I didn't belong to any team for about half a year. I finally transferred to the Grand Prix Tokai. It was my first time putting together a program there. There were various things going on, so I don't really remember it well. I think it was just a coincidence that I came across a program that fit me perfectly.

C: Actually, you scored over 100 points, didn't you?

Well, it wasn't an ISU-sanctioned competition, so it wasn't officially recognized. But it was the only time I did it at the University Games.

C: Um, when you won the championship...

Yes, that's right. I won the championship at the University Games. That season was really good too. Even though I was in good form, there were many competitions where I couldn't quite reach 100 points. So, it felt like I finally achieved it at the Universiade. I earned 100 points with a perfect performance, even though it wasn't officially recognized. I've achieved it once, so I'm aiming for it in official competitions as well. I have confidence in this program, so I'm hoping to use it to get off to a strong start.

C: This program really propelled you forward during the season. How do you feel about it now? What kind of program is it for you?

Well, it's a program that I can perform with a lot of confidence. When deciding what to do for this important season, I chose "Yesterday," so I feel it gives me a strong sense of confidence. Even now, I can perform it with confidence in practice, and I think I can rely on it.

C: Did you come up with it pretty quickly? You decided to go with "Yesterday."

Yes, I relied on my instinct.

C: Oh, intuition.

Yeah, that's right. In previous seasons, I haven't really gone back to old programs recently. I used to do it in the past, but now I mostly do new programs and rarely go back to old ones. But with this short program, I just had a gut feeling that I should go back to it this season.

C: That's interesting.

Yeah, it was just a gut feeling.

C: I see.

C: The power of SP "Yesterday."

Yes, “Yesterday” has helped me a bunch of times. When I used "Yesterday," the short program gave me a strong start, and I was able to carry the momentum into the free skate. Thanks to the points I earned with "Yesterday," I often barely made it to the podium or the Finals. “Yesterday” has helped me a lot, and it’s such a strong ally. A strong start in the short program is important. Of course, the free skate is also important, and I'm currently focusing on it in practice. However, I think a strong start in the short program will be key this season, which is one reason I chose "Yesterday."

C: About the program

I informed Mihoko-sensei that I would be using this program this season. She kindly accepted and encouraged me to do my best. I think she created an amazing program.

What was your question again? What was it?

C: Um, what was it? (laughs)

The question suddenly slipped my mind.

C: I'm sorry. I can't remember either. Um, ah, are you going to have it refined?

Ah, that's it. So, I contacted her. And there are no plans to refine it at the moment. We didn't refine "Yesterday" for the second season either. Our team just changed the step sequence slightly, and it's pretty much the same as the first year with the original choreography. It fits quite well, so we're not going to refine it much. Machiko-sensei and Hongo-sensei give me advice such as "try doing it this way here" or "try doing it like this here." I think we can gradually polish it that way. It's almost complete; rather, it's already in its final form. Rather than maintaining the status quo, I hope to dig deeper.

- To be cont'd to the last part -

 

[rRainbow]

Last Part

C: By the way, are you planning on changing your costume?

I don't plan to change it for now. I bought it online (laughs) as a temporary shirt for the ice show. However, it fits my style perfectly and matches the music, so I ended up using it for two seasons. I'm about to start my third season with it, and unless it gets torn or damaged, I plan to keep using it for now.

C: Is that so? Did you buy that black shirt because you listened to the song and thought it matched the image you had in mind?

Yeah, that’s right. I was trying to get a custom-made costume in time for the ice show, but I realized I wouldn't be able to do it in time, so I decided to buy something online that matched the song’s vibe. I found this shirt, and it turned out to be great. My coaches and the people around me liked it a lot too, so I ended up going with it (laughs). Yes.

C: I see. So, it's the shirt for the third season's program. (laughs)

That's right. (laughs)

C: Well, it does suit you very well. It matches the mood of the song, and the slightly rolled-up sleeves fit the vibe of the song.

Ah, right, right. It's simple, but it has a nice sheen. The collar is stylish, and the fabric looks sharp.

C: Is it for a show?

Well, how should I put it? I suppose it's for dancing, like ballroom dancing.

C: Oh, I see.

It could be used as a costume for ballroom dancing or maybe even for figure skating. It's probably a shirt for ballroom dancing.

C: Oh, I see. Right. Yeah, that makes sense. So, we'll see Yamamoto's senshu in that program's shirt.

A very familiar one. (laughs)

C: Yes, familiar. That's right; the first time I interviewed you was for "Yesterday."

Really?

C: It was for the second season of Yesterday, so that makes me happy. I see. Thank you very much. I'd also like to ask you a few questions about your free skate. Who is the choreographer, and what is the song?

It's a well-known song called "Hallelujah."

C: Why was this song chosen?

Well, since this is the Olympic season, I thought it would be good to choose an iconic, well-known song. From the latter half of last season, Lori-san sent me a lot of songs, as usual. This "Hallelujah" was really good, so I chose it. She then sent me various versions of "Hallelujah" by different artists. The one I chose for this season builds up in the second half with an uplifting melody that feels perfect for the Olympic season.

C: What is your goal for this season?

As I mentioned earlier, I truly believe that I am not an established skater; I am still a challenger. So, it may sound repetitive, but I would rather be on the offensive than the defensive. After a subpar performance last season, I realized that if I can't do something in practice, I won't be able to do it in a competition. I believe that I have put in good practice during this off-season. How do I put it? Part of being a challenger is having mysterious confidence.

C: A mysterious confidence.

I have nothing to lose, and I believe that it's all about challenging myself. I’ve been skating for about 20 years. There have been times when I've been injured or struggled with my form and wondered if I could continue skating. However, being able to challenge myself in the Olympic season is incredibly fulfilling, and I’m enjoying the challenge. I hope to continue enjoying it throughout the season.

C: I understand. Thank you. Well, let’s wrap it up here. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

- End -

 

[surimi]

Tomorrow is the first day of Minato Aqlus Cup, and Sota should be skating at around 2 PM Japan time, IIRC. Fingers crossed! I hope he enjoys the competition. I liked his self-pep-talk in Rainbow's translations above (like this - 'Part of being a challenger is having mysterious confidence.')
Sota is skating against Yuma (and right after him in the SP, sadly), which means that victory is not very likely, but I hope Sota is satisfied with himself in the first place!

 

[KiraraChin]

Sota Yamamoto SP94.62

He performed a flawless first match with a "program that was familiar to me and that I was confident in"! Machiko also praised him, saying, "It's been a while since I've been able to hug you." He said that he had a ballet teacher look at his choreography and received advice on how to "make it look three-dimensional."

His response made it clear that he has been putting in a lot of hard work.



Protocol:


Great job

 

[surimi]

I'm happy for Sota! A nice start to the season. Good luck in the free tomorrow!
Here are some articles about Sota's SP, and some interesting autotranslated quotes from them:
- Mainichi :
- 'Right now, I'm doing exactly as I practiced. The free program will be shown for the first time tomorrow, so I'd like to check what I've practiced.'
- 'I'm aiming for 100 points after all. I haven't checked the protocol (scoring details) yet, but I think I can improve the level of my spins and the lower scores (program composition points) a little more.'

- Nikkan Sports:
- about his hair: 'He used to have silky straight hair, but a few months ago he got a perm, saying it was "almost the first time." When jumping, he said, "My bangs are surprisingly stiff and don't move, so I can see ahead," and it seems he has good visibility during competitions. Although he has received mixed reviews from those around him, he said, "It feels fresh for me. I actually like it, so I can do my best with a fresh feeling."'
- about his goals: 'Looking back on the 2022 Beijing Olympics, he said, "I wasn't in a position to compete." After steadily stepping up, including winning his first Grand Prix (GP) series title at Skate Canada in 2023 and coming in third at the All Japan Championships that same year, he now realizes how much he has grown. "Right now I'm really enjoying being able to compete. It's still July, but I want to enjoy each and every match." With about 200 days until the opening, he is keeping his eyes fixed on the dream stage.'

- Chunichi:
- ideal for those who don't want to bother with reading scoresheets : 'He started off by landing a quadruple-triple toe loop combination, earning a GOE (grade of execution) bonus of 2.22 points. He also earned 1.94 points for his second quadruple salchow and 0.80 points for his third triple axel (three and a half rotation jump). He received the highest level 4 rating for both spins and steps.'
- 'After her performance, she was hugged by her coach, Machiko Yamada, on the sidelines of the rink, and was praised for her good start. During an interview, she smiled and said, "I think I was able to do what I practiced today." However, she was not very satisfied, and vowed to improve further, saying, "I think I can improve the level of my spins and the lower scores (performance composition points) a little more." Looking ahead to the free program, which will be the debut of her new program, "Hallelujah," she said, "I hope to feel something in these four minutes tomorrow and use it as fuel for this season."'