Sota Yamamoto | Page 24 | Golden Skate

Sota Yamamoto

First of all, I admire your constant and continuous great work, @rRainbow,
and @surimi, what a beautiful read! (it really touched me, I'll never get tired of such a beautiful post -or should I call it an essay)

Can anyone please explain what exactly is meant by 'practice didn't lie'? I think I have seen similar constructions several times in translations from Japanese (especially something about Yuzuru's quote about efforts not lying). I guess it means something like successfully transferring to competition what one does in practice?
It's from a Japanese saying (練習は嘘をつかない), very popular among baseball players and fans since forever. (Many Japanese athletic-related sayings are from baseball, like "全力投球".) I have no idea who started saying that, but many baseball players and coaches say it all the time, and high school players often mention it as many coaches use this phrase like a magic word (or more like a spell) to keep them motivated.
People generally choose to use a direct translation, "Practices don't lie (=practices don't betray you but pay you off/reward you in the end)." That is to say, the outcome you'll get should reflect the amount of hard work you've done. A while ago (actually in 2010), a Japanese MLB player tweeted, "People say, practices don't lie, but they do unless you use your brain when practicing" and made a big buzz.

On the other hand, I assume Yuzuru Hanyu's 'Efforts(努力)' one is more likely from another legendary Japanese baseball player (retired, and Waseda alumni), who wrote a few books about efforts and he said "Efforts do not lie", even though what he meant by efforts are not only about athletic practices, but daily routines, habits, and attitudes. (He contrasted "Efforts in the light vs efforts in the shadow", saying the latter is important and practices are the former. He often criticizes Japanese conservative teachings too.) I'm afraid a lot of people mix them up without noticing.

No he wasn't. He's been there all the time but the right moment had not yet come in Chuubu. :yes:

I do understand the sentiment of you both. Japanese media often try to steamroll us with their pov, and many sincere fans are fed up with their version of stories and the way they have to make it as dramatic as possible. (And that is not only about figure-skating but with all sorts of things.) And many Sota fans and his friends were upset about how the media reported his status-quo, though many couldn't be optimistic enough to object loud.
That said, however, the transcript of that part is actually, "The gorgeousness, which people once called him Hanyu the second for, was missing (from his performance where he only managed to do single jumps)." Well, in terms of the level of impact the line can give to us viewers, I wouldn't say rRainbow's translation was wrong, though.
 
Thank you so much Tsurara for everything you said! So informative.
Your fabulous translations and contributions to the forum are greatly appreciated and loved.
Will you post more on this thread too if and when you have time to share what you think please?
 
Sota is now #63 in the world rankings btw. Does anyone have an idea if his ranking and his CC score have any impact on his GP chances next season?

I am figure skating illiterate so I googled and came up with an unofficial explanation of 2018-2019 season assignments.
http://the-real-xmonster.tumblr.com/post/175027703334/grand-prix-assignment-how-does-it-work-i

Reading it made my head spin as there does not seem to be a straight formula and selection process is complicated. I interpreted the following paragraph as Sota being considered for one assignment, but I may be wrong.

"Skaters who have posted a seasonal best score within the top 75 in the previous season will be included in the selection pool and can be invited after the assignments are filled for (1) the seeded skaters (2) the come-backs, and (3) the invited skaters who are guaranteed at least 1 spot."

Can anyone shed any light on this?
 
@rRainbow, Thanks, it's really nice of you :o:

I've also been a casual fan for long, and not really sure about how these things work (hopefully someone else can enlighten us:pray:) but, here is the official document on 2018 GP designation for what it's worth. Assuming they don't change it for 2019 GP, his ranking jumping from #80s? to #63 should be a good thing but only reputation-wise, and probably JSF is now considering to give him one spot at NHK again. As for his season best, unfortunately, I'm afraid that Challenge Cup is not an ISU event and his season best stays the same as the one he got at NHK this season. At least, JSF will take his score and his performance well into consideration. My guess is Sota will get one spot somehow, but I can't tell.

(Please someone correct me if I'm wrong...)
 
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Thank you so much, Tsurara. I think you are right. Sota's ISU season best is not high enough so it would be great if he gets NHK.
Looks like Yuzuru, Shoma, Keiji and Kazuki are guaranteed 2 spots.
 
Translation of Sota interview on Quadruple Axel 2019 in January. The magazine has many interviews with Japanese male skaters with beautiful photos.
Amazon Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4635924939/
Amazon USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PJJGMVH/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Part 1 of 2
- You turned 19 on January 10. There were a lot of birthday wishes to you on SNS. Did you read them?
Yes, I haven’t updated my account for a long time but I read all of them [laughs]. I was really happy to get so many messages and I was very grateful.
- Did you get many messages from your skating friends?
Yes, some of them said happy birthday to me in person at the rink, and others sent me messages by LINE or Email.
- You have the same birthday as Yuna Aoki senshu.
Yes, I have known that but haven’t been able to bring myself to send a happy birthday message to her [laughs], and even when she came to Chukyo to practice I missed the chance to greet her. Although I’ve had some opportunities to greet her or chat with her, so far I never could get around saying happy birthday to her [laughs].
- It shows you how reserved you are. Next birthday please exchange happy birthday messages between you!
Yes [embarrassed grin].
- Let’s look back at the Japanese National Championships. First of all, we were surprised at your successful landing of a quad toe loop jump. In our previous interview you said that you wanted to start training the quad toe loop. Since that time it took you just a short time to successfully execute that jump in competition. Please tell us how you progressed from the time you started training till you achieved success.
After I made a comeback and got my triple axel back I had wanted to jump a quad for a long time. But I did not have enough confidence and I was only saying that I would like to start training the quad soon, and at practice for many days I did not have the guts to try the quad toe loop. But about one week before the Japan Nationals I finally built up courage to try one quad jump thinking “I’ve got to give my all.” I could somehow rotate but fell after two-foot landing. When I got my triple axel back, I was able to land it on the first attempt after practicing double axel jumps many times, but the quad jump fought back [laughs]. But even though I fell on the jump I got a good feel for it. Afterwards I went to Chukyo National Training Center (reserved for JSF supported skaters) over the weekend and saw many skaters jumping quads right and left and I realized I had to buckle down too. Then I concentrated more than usual on jumping the quad and I was able to land it super clean.
- So you landed it three days after you challenged it. It had been a long time since you jumped the quad toe loop the last time after your injury?
When I was in the second year of high school I came back on ice first time around after my injury (May-July 2016), I was training it to some extent. However, even though I could land the triple axel I was nowhere near ready to land the quad. I lost my grip on quad as I could not regain my senses. The quad I am jumping now is not the one I used to jump. The difference is so big that I feel as if I could finally master a new quad toe loop.
- Is it difficult to put in words how you feel differently between the previous quad and the current quad?
Well, it is difficult to explain. [He took a little time to think it over] I think the previous quad was higher. However the desire to cleanly land it is definitely more intense now. Back then I had fear of jumping itself, but now I am scared of falls, so I when I jump I’m hell-bent on clean landing no matter what. People around me often say to me “How can you land jumps with so little practice time?” but that’s because I am determined to prevent a fall.
- With a strong will never to fall again!
But the thing is that more I try to avoid falling on a jump the more I tend to pop it. When I sense that my jump is a bit risky I let it pop. I don’t get points for a popped jump so I think it is the worst mistake.
- Triple jumps, triple axel, and a quad jump. You have been getting your technique back at every major competition. We get the impression that one week before competition you start to get down to business. Does Yamamoto senshu have a unique timer?
A-ha-ha [laughing loudly] about one week before competition I feel “It’s about time I did my best to get ready.” I think so far the plan that works best for me is that one week before the event I get to land solo jumps and after that I focus on making the jumps connect with the music.
- At Japanese Nationals you successfully landed a quad toe loop. Did you feel that you made a big progress?
I would think so. Now I feel it went well. But to be honest before the competition I had not have much confidence of making it. When I nailed the quad I was too focused on the rest of the performance it did not feel real at that moment.
- When you landed it cleanly the audience erupted in applause. Did you hear that?
Yes, I heard the voices “WOW!” very clearly.
- Now that you landed the quad toe loop in competition, I think you are completely back. What do you think about that?
Ummm, let me see [taking a little time to ponder] In terms of program content I got it back at a minimum level, so perhaps I could say that. But I have to improve my skate quality more and more and to skate flawlessly. I want to get better results so I need to go for a higher goal.
- In the mind of Yamamoto senshu has there been a change already from “a skater who has overcome injury” to “a skater who is aiming for the top”?
While I was injured I was going through a hard time and it was painful, but now I have come to think that what happened belongs to the past. I gained confidence as I caught up the former level, and I hope to be able to challenge myself to reach a higher goal (than before the injury).
- Going through your comments after your comeback we feel that your mentality has been getting stronger.
I myself realize that my mindset has gone through changes. What I need now is to get results [laughs]. From now on it is essential that I keep working hard to achieve good results.
- At Japanese Nationals you frankly expressed your desire to be stronger and to get results.
At last season’s Japanese Nationals my goal was to enjoy myself. When I had thought about what goal I should set for this season I came up with “achieve results” and I have been chasing that goal. When I get good results I am satisfied and enjoy myself, so my current goal is to be stronger and get better results.
- How do you feel about the result (9th) at Japan Nationals?
It reflects my current real ability. I think it shows what my level is. Because of that I want to improve myself to deliver good results.
- How did you feel when you were chosen to be an alternate for the Worlds and the Four Continent Championships?
- Although there is a possibility that I will have a chance to go there, I don’t feel happy like, "Yay, I was chosen as an alternate!" After all I want to be selected to be on the team and I have to be stronger to reach the goal. I may be aiming too high [laughs].
- You are going for the spot on the national team next season.
Yes, I want to be the kind of skater who deserves the spot.
… To be continued
 
Part 2 of 2
- It may be too soon now but what do you think about Beijing Olympics?
Many people around me are kindly telling me that I may have a shot at Beijing Olympics, but I feel too embarrassed to comment on the possibility considering my current standing because there are eight skaters above me after the Japanese Nationals. I have to deliver good skate and results first to be able to comment on that.
- What do you think are good results?
I would think my ideal performances. It’s the kind of skate that everyone considers fantastic, so to speak?
- Now that you have shown your technical improvement don’t you feel the road to Beijing Olympics has become shorter?
Only just a little bit shorter than before, I guess. But I haven’t reached the level to be on that road since I haven’t achieved results at international competitions yet. That’s why I want to become the skater who can express himself confidently. But if I reach that level I will set a new goal, so I’ll see what will happen.
- At the Japanese Nationals you were with Kazuki Tomono senshu and Taichiro Yamakuma senshu who used to practice alongside at the Rinkai Sports Center.
Yes, we also skated one after another in the short. After the skating order was drawn we said “Great!” and encouraged each other by saying “Let’s do our best.” After the competition Taichiro must have felt he got good results and I and perhaps Kazuki as well left with the feeling that we should have pushed ourselves a little harder. Anyway for the first time in a long time I felt that everyone was working hard to reach his own goal, and I had a good time feeling nostalgia.
- Did you hang out with them off the ice?
I always go back to Osaka after the Japanese Nationals so we all got together there. Last time we went to a spa after eating okonomi-yaki. This time we ate BBQ meat, went to the same spa and then went to eat ramen noodle.
- Guided by Tomono senshu?
Yes, “Let’s finish with ramen!” While soaking in a hot bath we talked about many things such as our childhood days. These are fond memories. Each one of us is one year apart in terms of school grades, I guess?
- Tomono senshu is like a big brother and Yamamoto senshu and Yamakuma senshu have been rivals since childhood.
- Yes, I have been thinking of him as my rival for a long time. Off-ice we had been best buddies and I think we still are. Yesterday, for example, we went out to eat mazesoba noodle after practice at Chukyo [laughs].
- About skating order at the Japanese Nationals in the third group, the first, second, and the third skaters were Ryuu Hino senshu, Yamamoto senshu and Tatsuya Tsuboi senshu respectively, and all of them belongs to Howa Sports Land.
Ryuju-kun and I often skate one after another and we laughed and said “Here we go again.” The three of us were saying “It must be the hectic time for our coaches [laughs].”
- When Tsuboi senshu won the Japan Junior Nationals he said “I want to give the good news to Yamamoto senshu in person.” Did he say anything to you?
Ta-chan is not the type to start a conversation so I spoke to him, I guess? When I went to Chukyo I saw him and the moment he went into the changing room I said to him “Congratulations!” he beamed and said “Hooray!”
- He must have been happy you celebrated his win. What do you think of his growth as his senpai?
Ta-chan is very sincere and hard working. Knowing how hard he practices it’s not surprising that he won. He not only practices hard but also studies hard. I often see him study with a textbook in the changing room before the exam period, and I heard that he gets very good grades.
- I understand that Yamamoto senshu has been a good example for Tsuboi senshu. What do you think of his skating?
It is nice of him to say that he has been learning from me, but he skates so well that I feel like telling him not to use someone like me as an example, and actually he is good at many things which I would like to learn from. But I don’t want to lose to younger ones [laughs]. I want to deliver a tangible outcome.
- Next season will be your last one as a teen. What do you think are necessary for you to make further progress?
From now on it is important to enjoy skating but at the same time I also need to be mentally strong not to avoid challenging training. I will move forward squarely facing myself.
- What are your thoughts about quad salchow?
It’s on my mind a little but I am not training it. I’ll keep the same jump content as the one for the Japanese Nationals for the time being, and I want to skate clean with the same layout.
- Please go for it. We are looking forward to the day when you start training the quad salchow a week before some competition.
Yes, some day [laugh]. If I try a new jump I wonder it will be that jump. Or it could be a difficult combo.
- Such as?
3A-3T (triple axel-triple toe loop), for example.
- When you land a quad salchow or 3A-3T in competition somewhere please let us know again how you learned.
Yes [laughs].
- Please tell us about your private life a little bit. Is there anything you are into lately? Or what activities do you enjoy?
[taking a little time to think] Ummm, skating is the only thing I came up with…..I kind of live to skate.
- So your daily life is all about skating. Do you feel that your life revolves around skating too?
I think so. I would like to have a skating related career in the future.
- Coaching?
Yes, I want to become a coach. Even if I cannot become a coach I would like a job where I get to take part in skating. Well, I don’t know yet if things will turn out well [laughs].
- You really love figure skating.
Yes, because it’s the only thing I can do. So far I’m into anything but skating.
- Do you sometimes give advice to younger skaters at Howa Sports Land?
I don’t actively approach them to offer advice but there are times I teach them through my coach. For example when Ta-chan was struggling with something my coach said to him “Get advice from So-chan,” while telling me to give advice to Ta-chan [laughs].
- That’s a nice story.
I’m still learning so I cannot teach anything yet, but once I get in a position to teach I would seriously coach my students. I also love watching other skaters’ performances.
- You have a choice to become a choreographer.
Nooo, I am not confident of my choreographic ability [laughs]. I’m fine with expressing emotions but I don’t think it is my strength. I suppose skaters who are also good dancers will make good choreographers. Coaching seems to be a more realistic choice for me, but so far it is beyond my imagination since my abilities are still limited. I would like to explorer my possibilities while striving to be a better skater.
- Thank you very much. Now please give messages to your fans.
Thank you very much for your support at the Japanese Nationals. I am also grateful to your cheering me on so much at Asian Open Trophy, Finlandia Trophy, and NHK Trophy. I would like to keep working hard to achieve results by turning your support into my power. Thank you for your continued support.
- How do you feel the power of support?
I feel really happy to be supported. It makes me fully realize that many people are watching me, and it motivates me to deliver better performances.
 
Thanks for translating such a massive interview, Rainbow!
- he really should make more time for his skating friends, lol :D If he wants to be a coach, a network of nice relationships will be good to have. So I hope he gives a positive answer next year when asked if he's wished Yuna a happy birthday :)
- it is surprising how much of a difference two months and the Challenge Cup result made for Sota's competitive mindset. In the post-Cup interview, he mentioned his goal to add a new quad with much more certainty than here in Quadruple, didn't he? And his determination to be in the Olympics is also much stronger now, as per what I could glean from the sporadic Arakawa talkshow reports.
- lol at the Kazuki-Sota-Taichiro spa gang. Their mutual support is adorable. And naturally it was Kazuki who suggested they finish with a nice bowl of ramen :D
- I don't understand what Sota could learn from Tatsuya, can anyone point me to what's better about his skating? I have nothing whatsoever against Tatsuya, but he doesn't have Sota's charisma, posture, musicality and elegance. Not at this point in any case. There's likely something technical I am overlooking, and I'm genuinely perplexed. Maybe he doesn't have such apprehension about the 3A?
- speaking of Tatsuya, is it even possible that there's someone who is even more taciturn than Sota? :D Apparently so!
- it was new to me that the Chuukyou university rink can also be used by younger supported skaters. But then, Tatsuya's at Chuukyou High, so maybe it's near the campus?
- he mentions Tatsuya's study results with some admiration, so I guess the admission that 'my grades don't reflect my efforts' still holds, lol. I'm especially curious about how his Chuugokugo study is going for him. (per some twitter tags, it appears he spoke about it some in the Arakawa interview?) If he chose it just for the kanji, he was in for an unpleasant surprise I suspect! As one who also would like to start learning Chinese one day, I would be very interested to hear his impressions.
- given how successful his 4T appears at present, I am very surprised to hear Sota mention 3A3T before 4T2T or even 4T3T.
- "I’m still learning so I cannot teach anything yet, but once I get in a position to teach I would seriously coach my students. I also love watching other skaters’ performances." and "I kind of live to skate." I :luv17: his commitment.
- I like his determination not to fall in the first place. I think it's a prudent approach, even if a pop costs many points. A bad fall followed by an injury would cost many more points...
 
Thank you surimi for the feedback. Let me add and clarify some points.
he really should make more time for his skating friends
Taichiro is moving to Tokyo to attend Meiji University which is the same college as Wakaba, so Sota will be spending less time with Taichiro.

If he wants to be a coach, a network of nice relationships will be good to have. So I hope he gives a positive answer next year when asked if he's wished Yuna a happy birthday :)
The story about Sota not being able to say happy birthday to Yuna shows how shy he is which I find is adorable. He hasn't have the guts to approach her to greet her, and I'm sure many shy Japanese teens would relate to him. Yuna could have greeted him herself assuming she knew his birthday. Maybe she is shy, too.

I don't understand what Sota could learn from Tatsuya, can anyone point me to what's better about his skating?
That part shows how modest he is. He is praising Tatsuya by downplaying his own superior skating. When praised it is not unusual for a Japanese to say "I am not so great." or "Others are better than I am," while westerners would gladly accept a compliment with thanks. In traditional Japanese culture humbleness has been considered a virtue, and it still is (to some extent) even in competitive sports sometimes.

it was new to me that the Chuukyou university rink can also be used by younger supported skaters.
The ice arena at Chukyo University is designated as the only one National Training Center (NTC) for figure skating. The ice arena is marked No. 8 on the map below.
https://sps.chukyo-u.ac.jp/map/
This rink is used solely for figure skating and during the weekend it is reserved for JSF supported figure skaters for training.
 
But then, Tatsuya's at Chuukyou High, so maybe it's near the campus?
Here I am again lol Let me clarify you something.
Both Chukyo High and Chukyo Univ are in Nagoya city, and Chukyo's Ice Arena (=Aurora rink) is in Toyota campus in Toyota city.
It takes about 40 mins or so by train + their school bus. Anyways, both high school students and univ students use the same rink in Toyota campus.

That part shows how modest he is. He is praising Tatsuya by downplaying his own superior skating.
He IS indeed modest, but I believe Sota does see something in Tsuboi-kun's skating too, and I don't think he means to downplay his own, no matter what he's seeing. ;) I think good athletes are good at seeing others' potentials and values that others don't. (That said, I don't know much about Tsuboi-kun myself, and I have no answer to surimi's question as a pleb. And whether whatever potential he has blossoms later or not is another matter.)
 
Thanks for the explanations! Off the bat, I'd say Tatsuya has generally softer arm movements than Sota, but cannot think of anything else except maybe bigger stability of his 3A...? I don't watch him much either, I'd have to rewatch. Also, he seems to have a good mindset for Nats this year?
Ahh, that explains why I saw both 'Chuukyou' and 'Toyota' written on the rink boards in the recent videos.

Speaking of videos, I'd be very interested to read a rough summary of Sota's participation in the Shizuka Arakawa show from Thursday. I'm particularly interested in hearing about his Chinese, but so far I haven't found anything on that part. But there were other interesting snippets - that he's not a good dancer, he gets new boots once or twice a year, and he's an only child...? (no guarantee, it's my feeble Japanese plus google translate)
 
Translation of transcript of some parts of TV interview with Sota by Shizuka in “Friends Plus” aired in March, 2019.
This Sota fan blogger transcribed some parts of the 1-hour interview. The transcript is in two pages on her blog, and the translation is in 4 parts.
https://ameblo.jp/kmn-psn/entry-12450312169.html

ETA: The 3-part videos of this interview came out, and I added some parts missing in original transcript. The italic parts are additions.
Video 1/3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAktHcfWvkw

Part 1 of 4
◇ Narrator: Our today’s guest is 19 years old who has just finished this season with a gold medal at an international competition.
A: He is expected to make a complete comeback. Here he is.
Y: (Timidly he enters the room [laughs]. He makes sure he closed the door securely.)
Y: I am Sota Yamamoto. Well, I think this is my first time to talk to Arakawa-san, and I am very nervous. Pleased to meet you.
A: I am surprised that you have grown up so much.
Y: Well, I cannot tell myself [laughs].
0:45
◇Narrator: MC Shizuka Arakawa was his senpai, coached by the same coach. Turin Olympics inspired him into skating. It is his first time on this show to have a talk with her. Shizuka Arakawa will ask questions to him who has overcome his injuries and is determined to bounce back.

[after various short clips]
2:06
◇Narrator:As the next generation top contender, he moves ahead after two injuries. Here he is, skater Sota Yamamoto!

A: How tall are you?
Y: I am…172cm.
A: Are you still growing?
Y: I wish I could say yes [They burst into laughter.] After practice I shrink by 1cm.
A: Shrink?
Y: Yes, Probably by the impact of jumps but I’m not sure.
3:00
A: Nice to see you.
Y: I’m please to meet you.
A: Although I have skated with you several times in Nagoya, I believe this is the first time we have a talk. Today I would like to ask you many questions.
Y: Yes, thank you for inviting me.
A: Thank you for being with us. You finished this season after the recent international competition. This year was your first full season as a senior competing at international competitions.
Y: That’s right. This season I think I have done my best to meet the higher goal than the last season. I got to enter many international competitions and really felt the gap between top skaters ad me through first-hand experience, but in the end I was able to skate well at the competition in the Netherlands and it was a very good experience.
A: You moved forward.
Y: Yes, I felt like I finally got a break.

4:11
◇Narrator: He finished his season after a victory at Challenge Cup in the Netherlands in February. The story behind the competition:

A: I heard that there was an interesting story about the gala at Challenge Cup.
Y: There was a dance battle part of gala,
4:34
A: It’s unusual to do dance battle for gala, isn't it?
Y: Yes, I was going to perform at gala, and dance battle was also scheduled
and when I realized I had to enter that battle I honestly hated it [laughs].
A: You hated to dance?
Y: Yes, I don’t have a lot of dancing experiences. You improvise dance move to the random tune which was different every time. But I am not good at dancing [laughs], so I was thinking of getting myself eliminated at the first round [laughs].
A: You were passive [laughs].
5:19
Y: It was a one-on-one battle and the audience voted showing the color of their favorite.
Many Japanese skaters entered that Challenge Cup and a lot of Japanese people and fans came to see the event. Although I could not dance at all [embarrassed grin] I somehow kept moving on to the next round, and I was wondering why. Then I went on to the final battle with Sara Honda-chan [laughs]. I won and they gave me a little spending money [laughs].
A: How did you do? Sara-chan danced?
Y: I focused on myself too much to see others. It looks like everybody else danced, but I was doing nothing but skating and some jumping.
A: The audience loved it.
Y: I’m glad it went fine [laughs].
A: You came to enjoy dancing a little?
Y: I came to think I’d better work at it [laughs]
◇ Narrator: Memories of his programs
6:34
Y: I’ll dance to “Air on G String.”
6:51
◇Narrator: Looking back on 2018-19 season, what was his best performance?
Y: The one at Challenge Cup the other day. I think I delivered my best performances at Challenge Cup in the Netherlands. This season I have been able to spend the meaningful time in practice and private life aiming for the goal higher than the last. It was the season I had to go for better results. Although I had many disappointing results, I had some pleasant experiences as well. Next season I would like to achieve better results and have more competitions where I can feel a sense of accomplishment.

◇Narrator: Born in Osaka, this competitive boy moved to Nagoya. He is aiming high on the world stage.
A: Do you have siblings?
Y: I am an only child.
A: Me, too. I’m an only child. When did you start skating?
Y: I was five
5:09
A: You were 5. How did you get started?
Y: My mother loved watching figure skating. She did not skate but she told me she had been watching figure skating on TV before I was born. So it all started when I began watching it on TV as well. I told her that I wanted to skate and that’s how I started learning skating.
A: Really? Then you were watching figure skating on TV with your mother.
Y: Yes.
A: You wanted to try?
Y: That’s right. The medal ceremony happened to be on TV and I saw a skater receiving a gold medal and I wanted to win a gold medal myself and it got me started skating. It was Turin Olympics where Arakawa-san won.
A: You were five-year old then?
Y: Around that time.
A: Hmmm.
Y: I watched the ceremony and told my mother I wanted to skate.

A: Umm, but since your mother loved to watch figure skating she might have been pleased to hear you say that you wanted to skate?
Y: Apparently she had no intention of getting me to learn figure skating, and she was surprised to hear what I told her. I would be happy if she had been pleased of my decision.
A: Then you went to the rink for the first time. Do you remember how you did?
Y: Yes, I’m from Osaka and I went by car to Rinkai Sports Center for the first time. Because other skaters were skating easily I thought it was easy. But I fell on my first try and I found it really difficult. I was in a skating class but I remember holding onto the handrail the whole time.

10:05
A: You were born in Osaka and now you train in Nagoya. When did you move to Nagoya?
Y: It was during the summer when I was in the first year in middle school 10:19 around August, and at that time my biggest goal was winning the Japan Novice Championships. Before Kinki regionals I had not been doing well and I skated terrible at the competition.I wanted to get back in good form, and my mother told me that there is a coach in Nagoya who is very good at coaching jumps. My mother loves figure skating and she gave me her advice which I followed. That was coach Nagakubo but I only knew very little about him and I was not sure what to do, butRight after the competition I talked with my mother in a car for hours. We made up our minds and we moved to Nagoya a few days later.
A: You moved! You didn’t go there to give it a try, but you moved all of a sudden?
Y: Yes, the Japan Novice Nationals was just around the corner in about two weeks.
A: So you moved during the season, between regionals and Japanese Novice Nationals.
Y: Since I got into a very different environment I felt uneasy, but I ended up winning the competition and I’m able to keep skating now. So I think I made the right decision [nodding].
12:07
A: Well, looking back on that time, your mother’s guidance or rather her decision is incredible, because it’s not a simple matter.
Y: I agree.
A: You’ve been in Nagoya since that time?
Y: Yes.
A: What was the biggest change you went through in Nagoya? Was it how much or how you train, or how you feel about training?
Y: They use a different training method, and I hope my mentality changed for the better.
A: Among Nagakubo sensei’s coaching methods, what did you find the most novel?
Y: What impressed me the most as his strength was that when I went to sensei for his advice after I failed a jump knowing what went wrong, he gave me advice to address my specific issue. That made me realize how keenly he was watching me, and I was amazed by his power of observation. Because of this I remember very well all his pieces of advice he gave me in the past and I still follow them sometimes, because his instructions have been very valuable to me.
A: Like in any generation, coaches have to teach higher rotation jumps which they themselves have never done before. In any competition I’ve seen this happening, so I think things are really tough for coaches. Especially I heard that during the time Nagakubo sensei was a skater, they were jumping doubles. It is amazing that they have made progress with the times to teach triple and quad jumps.
A: What was your impression of Nagakubo sensei? Was he strict or gentle?
Y: I remembered him as very strict. When I first started training with him, I was really lost with all the changes in environment, and I popped or skipped jumps because I could not rotate jumps fully.
A: Popped or skipped jump must have upset him the most.
Y: Ahaha, yes indeed.
A: You got him really mad.
Y: He was too angry to offer me his advice.
A: He didn’t even say to you “What on earth are you doing?”
Y: That’s right.
A: I see. In that case, he might have changed.
Y: I was terrified. I was not even given advice, and it happened to me a lot. So at practice I tried to be better at it so that I could get his advice.
A: In the group lesson, he gave instructions to his students who caught his attention. But if he did not notice you, he didn’t speak to you. I remember that in the group lesson I was in the last row where he couldn’t see me well, but he scolded me the most. He said he had eyes on his back side as well.
Y: Hehehe
A: I remember he was very strict, because he coached me when he was most energetic in his career. About his observation power, I had the impression that he had eyes everywhere, and I believe he could clearly see you. Did he still have that power in Nagoya?
Y: Well, I guess so. I was his student, too, and my first impression of him was that he was a really tough coach.
A: I see.

◇Narrator: Inspired by a gold medalist, he started skating.
15:48
A: When you were a child did you look up to any skater as your role model?
Y: Since I was little I have been telling people that Russian skater Evgeni Plushenko was my idol. I admire him very much.
A: I see. In what way did he influence you in terms of skating?
Y: Let me see. I never got to see him compete live but I had some opportunities to watch him in ice shows, I was really impressed how he gave off an aura and he was good at it. I wanted to learn from him, or should I say I would like to copy his style at first and apply what I’ve learned to my skating.
A: When did you watch him skate live for the first time?
Y: He was in an ice show. When I was probably a first year high school student, I saw him in the ice show, and I remember the scene where he was in a dressing room just like anyone else. I cannot speak English at all and I didn’t have a lot of chances to speak to him, either. But I got to take a picture with him, and I remember the encounter very well.
A: So you kept looking at him. I don’t blame you. He happened to be in the same dressing room and his presence caught your attention.
Y: He smiled in a photo but he was usually more poised.
A: He didn’t talk much?
Y: He looked cool [laughs].
Video 2/3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV866XKUHak&t=5s


◇Narrator: He was expected to be the next generation ace. But right before moving up to seniors he was seriously injured. After two bone fractures and three surgeries he returned to the competition with single-rotation jumps, and now he is in his second season after his comeback. In August he landed a triple axel which was the cause of his previous injury. In December at Japanese Nationals he got his quad back. At his final competition of the season he landed the quad both in the short and free. He still has bolts in his ankle.

A: At the last competition you landed quads and they were so nice. To get there how did you train?
Y: Let me see. The quad was slow to come back in practice. Before the quad, it had taken me quite a long time to get the triple axel back. I was too scared to try training it for a long time. But at the competition in summer I landed it, and after that I’m glad I was able to train the quad with less fear.
A: You had a feeling of fear. Was it about jumping?
Y: As a matter of fact, when jumping the fear was about my body and a little about injury, so it took me some time and effort to train. After all, I get to compete only a few times per season, and these competitions are my goal when I practice daily. As I practiced I overcame my fear gradually.
A: How did you feel when you land the (quad) jump?
Y: I guess I was happy but since it was the opening move I was probably focused on other moves, and I was rather preoccupied with the rest.

A: How much confidence boost have you gained in terms of quad now? After you landed quads cleanly in competition your confidence must have gone up a lot.
Y: That’s right. As I am less scared of quad than triple axel I am more confident of the quad. My current quad is the one I landed before the other one and it is easier to focus on that jump. I think I need to train more to be able to land in other places also.

2:58
A: To improve your jumps what did you do? Did you take a different approach?
Y: A short time ago I used to listen to the advice of my coaches 100%, and tried to do as they said. I think it was a good idea to follow their advice, but these days I tend to follow my intuition as well while listening to my coaches.
A: It must have helped you boost your confidence a lot. After time off from skating because of your injury, do you think about skating differently from before?
Y: Before injury I used to practice more and a lot harder, but I was not 100% into it, and there was a part of me who was a little unwilling to skate. But after the period of withdrawal from training I found skating really fun. I practice less than before these days, but I hope I am able to practice with quality keeping in mind this is what I want to do.

Y: I really love skating and I believe I have been able to continue skating because of my passion for skating.[/I]
 
Part 2 of 4 (video 2/3)
ETA: Italic font parts are added now.
4:28
◇Narrator: He was able to land a quad already at age 15. After his injury, what was the hardest jump to get back?
Y: The axel? I was able to land other triples last season, and wanted to get the triple axel back. But I didn’t have the guts to try it because I was still scared. I was struggling for a long time without success. I landed it at Asian Open in August. But after March, I mean after the March competition last season, until that time, I had been unable to land the triple axel because I was scared of the (triple) axel. I came to realize that somehow I brought back the previous level of my skating. That said, I need to make more progress because during my recovery and comeback the skaters around me and top skaters have brought their games to a much higher level. In order to catch up with them from now on, it is important for me to make progress more and more.
5:48
Y: Here we go, “Friends Plus”[in Osaka dialect, imitating Kazuki] Hahaha
◇Narrator: Some items are essential for skaters. Our guest will show and tell his favorite items. Skater’s Items.

A: Today we have asked him to bring in his skating boots that he is currently using. I’m really interested in this little guy [laughs] who is attached to the blade cover. What is this?
Y: I’m not sure whether it is a mouse or squirrel [* It is a cat], anyway I suppose the cover part is its tail.
A: Did you buy it? Did you pick it yourself?
Y: Yes, hehehe. But it’s not because the case came with this guy but because blue is my favorite color. I like this blue so I picked it [laughs].
A: Isn’t it a little cumbersome to carry it around?
Y: That’s true. Inside my backpack this guy is a little bulky [laughs while happily playing with it with his fingers].
A: After you have used it for a long time you cannot leave this baby behind.
Y: Hahaha, I am not attached to him yet [laughs].
A: Can you please remove these cute blade covers and show us your blades?
Y: Yes! My boots are made by Jackson. I have been wearing Jackson since I was a little kid, and I could not bring myself to switch to another manufacturer’s model. I can adjust new Jackson boots to my feet by warming them in an oven, and I like that feature now. Well, my blades are Pattern 99.
A: How long have you been using your boots in this combination?
Y: Ummm, since I was in elementary school.
A: How often do you replace your boots?
Y: That depends on how much I practice. When I was in high school I practiced so much that I replaced my boots every three months. Lately I practice less so during last season and this season my boots lasted for more than a year.
A: Who takes care of your boots?
Y: Oh, my coaches are so helpful that they change the blades and sharpen them as well. Currently there are five female coaches and Miho Kawaume sensei always maintains our boots.
A: Well then, you get the blades attached to the position you prefer?
Y: I always get my blades attached right in the center as I’m not so picky. I leave it up to my sensei. She could place them off center but we tend to end up with the center position.
A: You are not particular about the blade placement?
Y: I guess not.
A: Are you particular about blade hollow? Do you like it deep or shallow?
Y: I don’t have any preference [laughs]. I leave it up to her and after getting my blades sharpened I don’t feel the big difference, so they are probably shallow.
A: How often do you get your blades sharpened?
Y: Longest would be every 2 months, and shortest is 2, 3 weeks. I always get them sharpened before competition so that depends on the timing of competitions. I make sure that they get sharpened 2 to 3 days before competition.
A: You have been using this Jackson and Pattern 99 for a long time and you are used to them. Is there anything you want to change now considering your current technique?
Y: Well, as I am used to it since I was a kid, I have been using the same type. But from next season I may try different boots and blades. I’m not sure if I can break in my boots of different model, so if it does not work out I may go back to the current model.
A: What are you trying to do by changing your boots?
Y: I think Jackson boots are a little heavy. The latest model of Edea is so lightweight. I haven’t skated in Edea boots with blades attached so I don’t know for sure, but I felt they were very light when I tried them on off the ice. I would like to train taking advantage of the difference.
A: Blades, too?
Y: Yes, I heard that Pattern Revolution blades are very much lighter, so I would like to use them.
A: After I changed my blades to the lighter ones crossovers became so easy.
Y: Wow!
A: Because of that it was a little easier to skate through the program. Although people told me that a feel for jumps would change, it didn’t change that much. I changed the blades only, though.
Y: I see. You know one thing about Revolution? It makes a loud gliding sound.
A: A sound comes from resonant hollow space. I sure am bothered by a bit scratchy sound like, crunch-crunch.
Y: That bothers me, too.
A: I understand. Oh well, as long as the boots makes it easy for you to skate, they are the best. You might as well try various boots as long as you don’t get lost.
Y: Yes, Thank you very much.
12:20 [music]
13:05
Y: This is my skating items.
◇Narrator: How is the new season for Sota Yamamoto going to be?
 
Next page of the blog
https://ameblo.jp/kmn-psn/entry-12450787734.html

Part 3 of 4
ETA: Italic font parts are added.
◇Narrator: 2018 Season short is “Air on the G String” and free is “Nobunaga Concerto.” He tells the story about the selection process.
Y: Music for short is the one Olympian ice dancers skated to at Olympics long time ago. (Photo of Albertville Olympics gold medalists Marina eKlimova and Sergei Ponomarenko is shown.) Their performance was breathtaking and I wanted to skate to this music myself, so I decided on “Air on the G String.” Free is Nobunaga Concerto and I wanted to use the specific part of the music for the last half, and I asked my coach for it. I purchased the album and handed it over to her asking her to please choose the music cut for the first half, assuring her that I would be fine with whatever she would pick. So I picked the music for the last half.
Y: Every time I start selecting my new programs I don’t have anything in particular in mind, because I listen to many songs in different genres before I pick one. About choreographers I don’t have a burning desire to definitely be choreographed overseas…If I am given an opportunity I would like to try but it is not my absolute wish. I’ll keep talking to my senseis and decide.
14:56
Y: I skated to my favorite music.
◇Narrator: How does Sota Yamamoto put together his programs? He has been skating to numerous numbers in the past.
A: How do you put together your programs? How do you come up with music, layouts and costumes?
Y: These days Kenji Miyamoto sensei has been my choreographer. I, my parent, and my coaches, all of us search the music; we then have a talk and decide on the music. We come up with many options, and after we come to agree on the choice, I ask my sensei to use that music. We always pick the music after the season ended, and to help search music pieces my coaches and I use music applications to listen to many music pieces. This season I picked the music. In the free I decided on Nobunaga Concerto and I asked sensei to use the cut for the last half. l left the first half music up to her. I always consult with my coaches.
16:33
A: Are you picky about costume design?
Y: I always request slim fitting pants. Probably everybody prefers slim pants, and I like my pants to be slim too. I always give the music title to the designer and she sends me a few simple drawings to choose from. I pick the one that seems to be the best fit for me. I’m not fussy and I don’t give her detailed requests. I always leave it up to her.
16:33
A: Are you picky about costume design?
Y: I always request slim fitting pants. Probably everybody prefers slim pants, and I like my pants to be slim too. I always give the music title to the designer and she sends me a few simple drawings to choose from. I pick the one that seems to be the best fit for me. I’m not fussy and I don’t give her detailed requests. I always leave it up to her.


A: Among costumes by your designers, do you have any one that particularly impressed you?
Y: Recently I skated to “Jekyll & Hyde” for the free last season, and she added short cape like flowing ruffles. It was an unusual design for me and I found it very unique and cool. (Photo of the costume is shown.)
A: Is there any one you would absolutely hate? Any color, or shape?
Y: Umm, No, I cannot think of any off the top of my head. Nothing in particular.
A: Assuming you skate to an up-tempo tune and you are given a florescent pink costume, such as a florescent pink shirt, you might as well put in on?
Y: Oh, if the costume suits the music and me, I am fine with it. But I’ve never imagined this sort of thing and I have no idea. As long as it looks fine on me it’s okay. I have no problems at all.
◇Narrator: Skating has always been the center of his life. What does he do for relaxation?
Y: Hehehe…The first thing that popped into my mind is taking a walk [laughs].
Q: You walk your dog?
Y: No, I don’t have a dog, so I walk myself [laughs]. Also I take a long hot bath to relax. My only relaxation activities are the ones I do in my daily life.
Q: What do you want to do when you turn 20?
Y: It’s just a matter of course but, hehehe, since I have never tasted alcohol I am curious to drink it a little bit. That’s all I can think of for now.
-- end of video 2 -- Video 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETlbn_WsgTw&t=10s

◇Narrator: Now he is a first year college student. How is his personal daily life?
A: Now that you are 19 this is your last year of being a teenager. What moment are you the happiest?
Y: Ummm, I don’t have any hobbies at all [laughs].
A: No hobbies! What do you do on your day off?
Y: I stay home and relax [laughs]. I honestly do nothing but skating.
A: You’ve been like that since you were little? You didn’t have any favorite thing?
Y: When I was in elementary school I was crazy about games.
A: You got over it?
Y: Yes, it’s not the phone type and I loved DS Pokemon so much that I used to spend a lot of time playing the game. But these days I don’t even play video games on my phone any more. Frankly I don’t have any hobbies and I am at a loss what to do.
A: I’ve never met anyone who is troubled by not having any hobby [laughs]. Okay then, what do you do when you are on the train?
Y: Well…today I was watching videos on my tablet.
A: That’s a hobby, a good one!
Y: You think it is a good hobby? I am glad to hear that [laughs].
1:33
A: How is your college life?
Y: As I expected college is different from high school in many ways, and I had a very hard time getting used to it. I attend classes diligently but it looks like I cannot fully understand classes. Through high school I managed to focus on skating, or rather they allowed me to focus on skating. But in college it is not so easy, because I have to study to earn credits. I am facing the challenge now.
A: When you are in the first year in college at first you tend to struggle, but in the second year I hope you will probably do better using your past experience. Good luck with your study.
Y: Thank you, I will work a little harder.

A: Well, what is your major? You are in what department?
Y: Sports Science department Many students doing other sports are in the same classes and I am motivated to study hard, but I’m not quite into other subjects or classes.
A: You are not interested.
Y: Right.
A: Making slow progress.
Y: There are so many [laughs]. I’m having a hard time studying.

I don’t have the confidence to speak English and I struggle with it. Also I have to take a secondary foreign language and I picked Chinese. I found it very difficult and am going through a terribly hard time [laughs].
A: Me too! I chose Chinese. It was very hard. I had some opportunities to go to China for ice show and I thought I could show the audience what I had learned. But they reacted in blank looks. First of all the pronunciation of my name is tough.
Y: You have to learn Pinyin (note: Pinyin is the special system created for people to learn Mandarin pronunciation.)
A: It sure is hard to copy the Chinese intonation. Every time I introduced myself in Chinese no one understood my words [laughs]. I hit the wall there.
 
Part 4 of 4
ETA: Italic parts are added.
Y: [responding to the staff’s request to speak Chinese] Hehe, I wonder if this is correct. It may sound like Chinese.
A: Go for it with a Chinese vibe. Please go ahead!
Y: Can I say this to camera? Hehe…,Okay [controls his breath]“Shān běn Cǎo tài,”Did I get it right? It goes like that.
A: You only said your name [laughs]!
Y: I said Yamamoto Sota. I cannot say anything else.
A: [responding to the staff’s request] Okay, “Wǒ jiào Huāng chuān Jìng xiāng”
Y: Wow !
A: Dàjiā hǎo. Xiè xie.
Y: Wow [clapping his hands]
A: I am Arakawa Shizuka. Hello to you all. Thank you. That’s all [laughs]. That’s all I can remember. Also I remember very well that a letter in kanji (手紙)means toilet tissue in Chinese.
Y: Whoa [laughs]

5:17
◇Narrator: Sota Yamamoto, captivating as ever and growing further.
A: My impression of him is that he is a skater who picks up speed quite naturally and his skating is really fluid and lovely, and he connects his jumps to his moves beautifully. That’s what impressed me the most. After turning senior he has become more powerful, but above all I think his skating is beautiful. I’m afraid he suffered from an enormous setback because of his injury right before the biggest competition which was to be the culmination of his junior career. But I feel his strong determination and love for skating that helped him overcome the hardship, and I would like to watch over him.
6:24
Y: “Friends Plus”
◇Narrator: According to (former) coach Nagakubo, he is gifted with skating skills. He is getting ready for the next season.
A: What are you strengths and the issues you need to work on?
Y: Hmmm. I am not sure myself but people around me are telling me that my skating looks good and effortless.

A: I think your skating skills are amazing in that you accelerate smoothly and pick up speed before our noticing it. Do you realize that? Or does it come naturally?
Y: Well, I don’t feel like that at all because I feel I push very hard to glide.
A: I see. As I remember, you have been able to accelerate fluidly and much better than others since your junior days.
7:23
Y: I feel I need to work on my skating so that I can glide more with a push. I don’t have any specific weakness I need to work on, but I need to raise the overall level of my skate. Otherwise I won’t be able to become a top level skater. So instead of focusing on any one element, I know I have to improve various elements and expressions.
A: You upgraded your layout by, for example, adding a quad in the short. Next season how is your technical content going to look like?
Y: Finally at the end of the season I did 2 quads and 2 triple axels in total, so I guess I achieved the minimum level by my standard. Next season I tell myself that I’d better put up better skates, or how should I put it, push for harder content and elements which the top skaters can execute so that I can contend with them. For that reason I have to train with a new quad in mind.


A: Now I think you mastered the quad toe loop, but are you training anything else?
Y: When it comes to quads I think I should go for salchow next. I landed it in practice when I was in first year of high school, but afterwards I could not control it. I need to work at it so that I can land it in competition.
A: Have you started training it?
Y: I tried it one time for the first time in a long time before going to Netherlands, but I under-rotated and fell on it [laughs]. Well, I realized I need more practice.
9:34
A: You give me an impression that you are quiet and mild mannered.
Please analyze yourself. Do you feel a gap between your expressive self on ice and your usual self?
Y: Let me see. On the ground I really …
A: On the ground [laughs]?
Y: Hehehe, on the ground I find it a little hard to have full confidence in myself. Although I try to be more articulate when I talk with people, I am not good at it and I need to make a conscious effort.
On ice I am more self-confident and I very much want people to see me skate.
A: Is it your comfortable place?
Y: Yes, on the ice I can really focus on myself.
A: Then you’re suited for this sport.
Y: Ummm, is that so?
I am happy that I chose to skate. Indeed, at college I am not good at all at studying outside my major or doing other sports, so after all I train regularly and I’m happiest when I skate.
A: Right now what do you think is the attraction to skating?
Y: I haven’t thought about it very much, but lots of people come to see it and I put out my skate and the audience sees it. Recently when I get good results or put up a good performance I feel good with a sense of accomplishment. At competitions I sometimes feel that way.
A: You perform in ice shows too.
Y: In ice shows I skate hoping that the audience enjoys my performance, so I think both of those have different appeals.

A: What kind of skating life are you going to go through from now on?
Y: My life has mostly centered on skating, or should I say I have been skating because I wanted to, and I want to keep competing. I would like to continue skating, and when it’s time to retire, I want to turn pro or start working on a job that has something to do with skating.
A: I think it’s great that there is at least one skater who loves skating so much.
◇Narrator: In 2017 he skated at Japanese Nationals; it had been two years since his last Nationals after his injury. His performances changed the fate of one man. He is Daisuke Takahshi. He said that Sota Yamamoto’s performances helped him decide to make a comeback.
Y: I heard the rumor and I’m grateful. Really, I was stunned, or should I say I felt so humbled. I was skeptical at first, and if that’s true I would be happy. I should keep training hard so that I can deliver good performances so that I deserve such a positive comment.
Q: The talk he had with Daisuke Takahashi
13:39
Y: Well, it’s just… Actually the only time I meet him is at competitions and I just got to greet him; I didn’t have a chance to talk to him.


◇Narrator: In this interview by an Olympics gold medalist, Shizuka Arakawa, Sota Yamamoto wants to ask her some questions.
Y: Arakawa-san experienced Olympics which is such a big stage and you won gold. I would like very much to hear how you reached the goal of winning Olympics gold, such as how you lived your life, what kind of practice you went through.
A: I wanted to spend the last year thinking that I would push my skating as far as I could, believing that I would be fine even if today would be my last day. That’s not how I felt during two seasons before that, but I think I achieved the results of my last season because of my all out efforts as a final attempt throughout the last year. Also, I did not quit skating. Many times things were so hard I wanted to quit. There were times I wanted to walk away leaving everything behind. But when I stopped and thought whether I would regret it next day if I threw away everything at that moment, I came to realize that I did not want to lose to myself. I hate to lose but not to other people but to myself. As a figure skater it’s important not to lose to yourself. These are my thoughts, and I think facing the season as the culmination of my career helped me to some extent. A: Having said that, Yuzuru, for example, won the gold two times. When he was young he won once. But rather than the culmination of his career, he kept moving forward further beyond the culmination at that time, and someone like him is incredible.
I think Yamamoto senshu would get empowered when you know where to set your goal and aim for it, so I want you to fully enjoy skating keeping that in mind.
Y: Thank you very much.
A: Was my story helpful to you? Something like this?
Y: That was very good advice. Thank you so much [bowing deeply].
◇Narrator: He is where he is because of people around him. Who are they who have supported Sota Yamamoto?
16:39
Y: I now realize that the support of these people such as my family and my friends has helped me overcome hard times. I was leading the life of an ordinary student, and when I could not skate I was going to school just like any other students. I felt very refreshed chatting with my school friends and my skating friends invited me to go eat out. At that time although I was aware of their kindness I was a little too preoccupied with my problems to repay them. I am where I am because of their support, so I believe I should fully give back to everybody.
A+Y: Friends Plus
◇Narrator: After his return to competition, what is Sota Yamamoto’s plan from now on?
A: Earlier this season it looks like you were trying to see what you could do, as it was the first time you competed as a senior for the whole season. Now have you set your goal for the next season?
Y: I had some good competitions, but I had more competition results that were not good. I should build on my past experiences and would like to deliver good skates at bigger competitions, although I don’t know yet which competitions I will be sent to. It is a simple and straightforward one, and I want to set my goal firmly and work hard to achieve it.


A: Now you have a future ahead of you. Where is your big goal?
Y: Let me see. After all, I started skating after I watched Olympics and wanted to win a gold medal, so I want to go to the Olympics [nodding 3 times]. Since I have such a strong desire to do so, from now on I want to deliver better performances and results in order to become such a skater who deserves to be on the team. I will continue to work hard to fulfill my dream.
A: Please do your best.
Y: Yes, I will give it my best shot. Thank you very much.
 
Wow... what a work! GJ, rRainbow!
I haven't read it all yet, but that must have taken you so much efforts and time! *bows*


Thanks for the explanations! Off the bat, I'd say Tatsuya has generally softer arm movements than Sota, but cannot think of anything else except maybe bigger stability of his 3A...? I don't watch him much either, I'd have to rewatch. Also, he seems to have a good mindset for Nats this year?
Well, Tsuboi kun started jumping successful 3A only recently, like last fall, at least it wasn't stable in summer (which is why he missed JGP this season, I believe). I think you just have to watch him skate live to see what it's about, but people often praise his skating, which I read he's been trying to learn from watching Sota too for quite some time now. Here is an article on Tsuboi kun if you wanna try reading some general opinions. The writer has been watching him since his novice days and praised his skating skill. When it comes to Japanese junior skaters, popular general opinions are: Koshiro for presence and expression, Mitsuki Sumoto for skating and Hanyu influence, Yuma Kagiyama for soft knees and his father's influence, Shun Sato for jumps, and Tsuboi for all-rounder's stable performance and skating.

I'm particularly interested in hearing about his Chinese, but so far I haven't found anything on that part.
I can say my name in Chinese too! Probably not correctly, though. I mean, I guess that's what most, if not all, Japanese first try to learn in Chinese.
Just a bit of a trivia, since both China and Japan use kanji, there's an agreement that we may read their names by our readings and they may read our names by their readings. (With Korea, it is completely the opposite because of Hangul.) You can sometimes hear Japanese news calling Boyang Jin "金博洋/Kin-Hakuyou" instead in Japanese. And I think that Chinese people and media will read Japanese athletes' names by their readings in Beijing Olympics :) Either way, Sota choosing Chinese for his 2nd foreign language kinda says he is definitely aiming for Beijin Olympics now.
 
Thank you for the translation, Rainbow! :thank:
Here are the links, if anybody wants to watch the full show (about an hour long) as these were just highlights kindly shared by a Sota fan blogger. No subtitles though.
- the full thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdZNGfsz_tk (Fan video. Worse resolution but OTOH, many interesting static images edited in, and full length show)
- higher res video, show only, but in 3 parts:
part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAktHcfWvkw
(e.g. training under Coach Nagakubo, moving to Nagoya)
part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV866XKUHak
part 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETlbn_WsgTw
(e.g. university life, Chinese, plans for next season, 4S, greetings to fans)
I'll add the descriptions as I re-watch the whole thing.

@ Tsurara, thanks for the link, I'll try to see if I can understand anything in the Tatsuya article :D
Btw I think Sota admitted in an earlier show (Kenji) that he picked Chinese because of kanji, although Beijing might have been on his mind already. ;)
I think both he and Shizuka-san palatalize and change their intonation too little to sound convincingly Chinese? Just a guess though, I have heard Chinese spoken but I've never learned.
 
@ Tsurara, thanks for the link, I'll try to see if I can understand anything in the Tatsuya article :D
Btw I think Sota admitted in an earlier show (Kenji) that he picked Chinese because of kanji, although Beijing might have been on his mind already. ;)
I think both he and Shizuka-san palatalize and change their intonation too little to sound convincingly Chinese? Just a guess though, I have heard Chinese spoken but I've never learned.
You're always welcome. Feel free to pm me if you have trouble with it. (I don't want to hijack this thread for Tsuboi kun's article here.)
As for his reason to pick Chinese, hey, I won't believe him even if he tells me face to face that I'm totally wrong ;)
And their intonation, I'll be watching the rerun later (like two weeks later) so I'll check them out, but I know I probably can't tell lol

ETA: I watched the rerun, and yeah I have to agree they didn't sound Chinese enough :P
 
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