Reports on Sota NHK FS:
「フィギュアスケート・ＮＨＫ杯」（１３日、代々木第一体育館） 男子フリーが行われ、山本草太（２１）＝中京大＝はフリー１５２・８５点、合計２３８・９０点を記録した。
news.yahoo.co.jp
The men's free skate was held, and Sota Yamamoto (21) of Chukyo University scored 152.85 points in free skate and 238.90 points in total.
At the beginning of the free skate, he stepped out of the 4S and touched his hands on the ice. He went on to do a 4T, which was not on the planned layout, and landed it solo. He went on to do a 3A-2T combination, and then a solo 3A.
After the flying camel spin and the step sequence, he executed a series of combination jumps, a 3F-3T, which he landed beautifully, and a 3F-euler-3S which he did easily. He finished his jump elements with a solo 3Lutz, then he did a change foot sit spin, danced a simple but graceful choreo sequence, and finished with a change foot combination spin.
He seemed to be smiling a little wryly, but he enjoyed the standing ovation. Looking at the protocol, the 4S, the 4T, and the third jump, the 3A, each had a minor under-rotation, and each received negative GOEs, but the jump elements in the second half received positive GOEs. All three spins earned Level 4. The step sequence was Level 2. His total score was close to his personal best of 240.11 points.
◆フィギュアスケート ▽ＧＰシリーズ第４戦・ＮＨＫ杯 最終日（１３日、東京・代々木第一体育館） 男子フリーが行われ、１６年ユース五輪金メダルの山本草太（中京大）は、１５２・８５点の合計２３８・９
news.yahoo.co.jp
Sota Yamamoto (Chukyo University) scored 152.85 points for a total of 238.90 points, placing 7th. He showed a modest fist-pump after his performance, and recalled, "I can feel a lot of growth in myself."
His participation in this year's competition was suddenly decided due to the withdrawal of Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA). "Rather than enjoying myself, I wanted to fulfill my responsibility. I was able to skate in my own way until the end," he said.
If his peak condition comes at Nationals, then even better. At least even if he messed up here, it would lessen the Nationals stress.
all the best to him in the free!
He is now 6 points behind his best performance ever (Finlandia), where he had two quads, one of them in combo, higher level of StSeq (I think), and generally better music which was more suited to his skating. But, Sota's skating needs to evolve, so experiments like this are also a good learning experience for him. Our commentators praised Sota, even the Eurosport guy whom I cannot stand. This time he is excused, as he called Sota's SP 'super' and his 4S 'unreal'. ^ ^
I am not sure I want him in the gala or not - it seems like he wants to go to Warsaw next week, so he needs as much rest as possible, but OTOH, he loves the cheering of the audience, and could use the money for gala participation. Hmm... Well at least it's clear he'll perform Beautiful again if he gets invited. He likely had no chance to even get his Dark Eyes costume, even if he wanted it.
I think I'll be a coward and make lunch... I hope Sota is the opposite of me. Good luck and healthy ankles, Sota 
