Sota Yamamoto | Page 50 | Golden Skate

Sota Yamamoto

I am relieved. Sota looks physically and emotionally drained after the FS. If his trainings were going similarly to his SP, no wonder. Today I tuned in in time for the medal ceremony. I was glad to see Sota on the podium, and smiling a lot. His friends must be happy for him too.
He is not out of the woods yet, as he needs to fix his mind and that's not an easy thing. But after seeing the FS, I am hopeful his path will be different from that of the two struggling N.A. ladies. He's second in the free, 8th overall, despite his hardships - an extraordinary feat, he should be proud.

Sota also showed some very good strategic choices today. Returning to Shirt was one, and apparently zoning out a bit after the two initial unsuccessfull jumps was another. Picking Ryuju as his rinkside mentor was another. The StSq seemed to have his former vigour and fighting spirit back, although the stamina wasn't there yet. Overall, he reacted after the SP in the best way he could. The SP must have been a nightmare for him, but he didn't keep his fears inside of him where they would just fester and eat away at him from within, but he shared them openly. I think this is very important. As we say, worry shared is worry diminished. Another point where I believe he is right again, is that he needs to take a break now, maybe go for a holiday - some activity where he wouldn't have to practice and think of skating for at least 14 days. Then he'd see if he misses skating or not. A return from the break would be very telling as well - if he went back to practice full of dread and loathing, it would mean he really needs a longer break. His mental health is the most important thing now, not the Olympics and daihyou.
Sorry about the stream of consciousness!

Here is Sota's FS:

- YouTube

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For the record, here is his SP:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
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And here are articles after the FS:
news.yahoo.co.jp

山本草太、ＳＰ１８位から挽回　たくさん届いた励ましの言葉に「感謝」（スポーツ報知） - Yahoo!ニュース

◇冬季国体　第３日（２９日、名古屋市日本ガイシアリーナ） 　フィギュアスケート成年男子フリーが行われ、ショートプログラム（ＳＰ）１８位と出遅れた山本草太（２１）＝愛知・中京大＝は１２７・１０点、合
news.yahoo.co.jp news.yahoo.co.jp
www.sponichi.co.jp

SP18位の山本草太がフリーで挽回「たくさんの応援を感じて滑れた」冬季国体成年男子 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex スポーツ

成年男子のフリーが行われ、ショートプログラム（SP）18位と出遅れた愛知県代表の山本草太（中京大）は127・10点をマーク。冒頭の4回転サルコーで転倒したが…
www.sponichi.co.jp www.sponichi.co.jp
Sota says he got a lot of support from many people, and that Ryuju went with him for a midnight snack(?) and talked to him. Probably he did that at the cost of his own sleep, and I am deeply grateful to Ryuju for helping his struggling friend like this. Other skaters like Yuhana or Rin, or Kazuki and Taichiro, likely voiced their support and concern as well. I am happy that Sota was reminded yet again that various people care for him. I think it means a lot to him.
 
Thanks, Surimi, I agree with everything you said. It was really nice to see Sota fighting after that SP, and making good strategic decisions. Well done, Sota!

It's been such a weird season, and the clownery of the judges has been off the charts. I hope not only him, but all the top Japanese guys who didn't qualify for Worlds get to have a good rest now and recharge their batteries for the Olympic season.
 
Sota appeared on Wakaba's and Yuhana's IG stories:

I'm afraid I'm not able to translate what they're saying on the stories, I will leave that to rRainbow or surimi:pray:

Also, couple of Sota pics from Kokutai:
mainichi.jp

フィギュア冬季国体 田中刑事 成年男子首位 ［写真特集13/15］ | 毎日新聞

成年男子ＳＰで演技する山本草太＝名古屋市南区の日本ガイシアリーで２０２１年１月２８日（代表撮影）
mainichi.jp mainichi.jp
mainichi.jp

フィギュア冬季国体 田中刑事 成年男子首位 ［写真特集12/15］ | 毎日新聞

成年男子ＳＰで演技する山本草太＝名古屋市南区の日本ガイシアリーで２０２１年１月２８日（代表撮影）
mainichi.jp mainichi.jp
 
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I'm afraid you overestimate my skills, Kirara ;) Yuhana's tweet, let me see - I am guessing she refers to Sota, so- 'He did the FS well ... he held his ground/stood firm ... he skated till the end' Then '[probably Sota] touching the ice with his hand more softly than last [something... and also IDK if yori has any additional meaning when combined with mo] was [IDK this adjective]'
Sorry, that's the best I can do. 😬 Wakaba's message was a bit easier, she says she'll work hard again next season, and thanks for the cheering. I am not sure I get the first sentence though - something like 'these people will not quit'?

I'll wait for Rainbow's verdict ;)
That said, Rainbow, may I ask for your expertise regarding the phrasing of this sentence in the hochi article you linked? 予定していた４回転から演技開始後に急きょ変更した冒頭の３回転フリップは２回転になり、続く３回転半は１回転半になってしまい共に０点。I know your translation says 4F, but does the text imply it's really 4F, or simply 'a quad', meaning it could also have been 4T or 4S? I dare not make a guess over Japanese semantics. I am afraid I raged a bit elsewhere over Onishi letting Sota practice 4F in such circumstances, but I was told we don't know if he's practiced the 4F since summer, which gave me a pause. I'd like to clarify this with your kind help :pray:
 
Depends on which ones ;) Sometimes she makes it easy for us foreigners by writing in normal letters, though the words are Japanese. That of course, is then easy to look up in a dictionary.

Well. Call me crazy, but I would not be surprised if Sota leaves Onishi again soon. I have been watching senior ladies today, and noticed Onishi was there for at least one lady, both in the short and the free. He was not there with Sota IIRC. Neither in the KnC, nor by the boards. I have noticed some other coaches being present for their charges, for example Wakaba's coach - I think he's not from Tokyo, no? Hamada was there too, I think for Yuto and perhaps someone else. Onishi wasn't there for the award ceremony, either. Why wouldn't he relish the sight of his charge who has just overcome his fears, delivered, and got a medal? Furthermore, Sota only specifically mentioned his gratitude to Ryuju in his comments (the rest became 'support'), leaving out his coach. Isn't it strange that a skater who is feeling so down, and has just messed up big time, doesn't get any consolation or good advice from his coach which he'd gratefully recall in post-FS interviews? Also, the pattern when Sota's jumps start deteriorating under Onishi (how did he get into this terrible mental shape anyway?), has also happened once before. Sota's solution - moving to Nagoya. I wouldn't rule out that possibility, especially if focusing on skating resulted in this, and if, say, Sota's family would like him to resume his studies. Sorry about thinking out loud - I guess we will see soon if I was way off the mark or not!

ETA, I found this lovely fan art of In This Shirt by a Japanese artist: https://stat.ameba.jp/user_images/20210201/13/roselisa0121/4b/d8/j/o1080144014889835990.jpg?caw=800
It really looks like him!
And this popped up at me when I was looking for news- https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtB4Yg4UwAUKggK.jpg
Some familiar kid faces there, eh, Kirara? ^ ^
 
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surimi said:
I'll wait for Rainbow's verdict ;)
That said, Rainbow, may I ask for your expertise regarding the phrasing of this sentence in the hochi article you linked? 予定していた４回転から演技開始後に急きょ変更した冒頭の３回転フリップは２回転になり、続く３回転半は１回転半になってしまい共に０点。I know your translation says 4F, but does the text imply it's really 4F, or simply 'a quad', meaning it could also have been 4T or 4S? I dare not make a guess over Japanese semantics. I am afraid I raged a bit elsewhere over Onishi letting Sota practice 4F in such circumstances, but I was told we don't know if he's practiced the 4F since summer, which gave me a pause. I'd like to clarify this with your kind help :pray:
Click to expand...
Come to think of it, I think your interpretation is correct. I simply assumed that the 3F was downgraded from 4F in his plan, but "a quad" must have been either 4T or 4S, as he had never attempted a 4F in competition. My apologies. I edited the translation.
 
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Wakaba and Yuhana's IG stories are correctly translated by surimi. I might add:
Wakaba basically said in the first sentence "Here they are, those who do not give up." Actually the word used is やめない (do not quit), but in this context I think she meant "do not give up" by it.
Yuhana said in the second part ”What left the big impression on me was that in the ending pose he (Sota) touched the ice more softly than last season." To surimi, 昨期 means last season.
Just FYI,
昨年 = last year
今季 = this season; 今年 = this year
来季 = next season;　来年 = next year
 
surimi said:
www.sponichi.co.jp

SP18位の山本草太がフリーで挽回「たくさんの応援を感じて滑れた」冬季国体成年男子 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex スポーツ

成年男子のフリーが行われ、ショートプログラム（SP）18位と出遅れた愛知県代表の山本草太（中京大）は127・10点をマーク。冒頭の4回転サルコーで転倒したが…
www.sponichi.co.jp www.sponichi.co.jp
Sota says he got a lot of support from many people, and that Ryuju went with him for a midnight snack(?) and talked to him. Probably he did that at the cost of his own sleep, and I am deeply grateful to Ryuju for helping his struggling friend like this.
Click to expand...
Translated by surimi already, but here's my literal translation.

After the performance of SP, he received messages of encouragement from many people. "I skated today feeling a lot of support," he said. Ryuju Hino, who competed together representing Aichi, went out with him to buy midnight snacks the night before and kept talking to him by his side all the time. "Without my senpai (Ryuju), I would probably have continued to be depressed all by myself yesterday," he said with gratitude and reflected, "I'm usually alone, but I could feel a lot of power.”

After finishing the main competition this season, he said, "I'll rest my body and mind a little." He commented on his plan to make a fresh start, "I am going to refresh myself and would like to get started with developing strategies for next season."
 
surimi said:
And this popped up at me when I was looking for news- https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtB4Yg4UwAUKggK.jpg
Some familiar kid faces there, eh, Kirara? ^ ^
Click to expand...
Cuuuuuute! 😍

Thanks for your translations, rRainbow! I really hope Sota wasn't really planning the 4F back then - IMO this is this the kind of jump he should train during the off-season, when things are calmer and he's more relaxed.

About Onishi... I agree it's a bit weird that he was there but wasn't with Sota at all, nor he was mentioned by Sota. I think at the very least they don't seem to be particularly close - maybe Sota could benefit from adding someone else to his team, maybe a 'big bro' type like Ryuju.
 
Well well, even a Japanese blogger now wonders if Sota might return to Nagoya - https://ameblo.jp/ching-shenlong/entry-12654681652.html
This blogger has a peculiar way of writing, so it's not easy to read the entries even with Google translate. But it seems she would prefer to see him in either Howa or with Higuchi/Yamada? (Right, @rRainbow?) Well, so do I. The two ladies have experience with top skaters like Shoma, and possibly have access to jump specialists; Howa may be cheaper and I am absolutely positive the lady coaches there love him almost as a son, so he could always count on their support.
As for Onishi, he has no top skaters (his Kokutai charges placed 20th at best) so I suspect Sota can practice alongside elite men like Kazuki or Mitsuki only when they appear at Rinkai, which is probably not very often. Also: I have watched almost all of the Kokutai now. Onishi is there for four skaters - two junior girls, one senior girl, and one junior boy. Just not for Sota. It makes me think they parted ways before the event. That may also explain Sota's slump - imagine if he only could practice in Chukyo at weekends, without proper lessons in his hometown. And if he arrived at Kokutai undertrained and without affiliation or an experienced adult to advise him... That would be no joke. If we learn that Sota has switched coaches I won't shed a tear for sure. He deserves better.
 
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Reposting from Ryuju thread:
Number Web article on retiring skaters: (Feb. 21, 2021) https://number.bunshun.jp/articles/-/847061

Ryuju Hino is Among the Retiring Skaters

Ryuju Hino (26) who has charmed many fans is one of the skaters who have decided to retire after this season. This is his last national level competition, and after the Nationals he changed his SP to “Russian Sailor’s Dance” which he used in 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.

“It is my favorite program that Kenji Miyamoto sensei choreographed for me for the first time when I was in my first and second year of high school. Thanks to him who included various moves in this program, I became a more versatile performer. That’s why I had very much wanted to do this program one more time before I retire.

He executed 3Ltz beautifully. He placed 6th with 61.18 points. When Hino appeared for an interview, he was more concerned about his kohai (younger) team matte of Aichi prefecture team, rather than looking back on his performance. That skater was Sota Yamanoto (21).

After overcoming injuries and three surgeries, Yamamoto is aiming for the Beijing Olympics. This season, despite winning Western sectionals showing his strength, he finished 9th at the Nationals. Yamamoto contacted Hino.

number.bunshun.jp

「初恋みたいな存在」「どんな人生にもない感覚」フィギュア引退選手たちは何を語り、今後何をするのか（野口美惠）

コロナ禍のなか開催された冬季国体のフィギュアスケート（1月27～30日）。今季最後となる全国規模の大会には、“幕引き”を決意した多くの男たちが出場した。一瞬一瞬を噛みしめる者、後輩へと思いを託す者、感謝を演技にこめる者。最後のきらめきに、精一
number.bunshun.jp number.bunshun.jp

Hino Shared Yamamoto’s Emotional Turmoil with Him

Hino said, “Sota is strong-willed, so I rarely give him advice. But unusually for him, he sent me a message “Please give me advice if you have something you want to tell me.” We talked a lot and Sota started to think of replacing the current FS with the old program. I said ‘At this time, It’s a good idea,’ and I sort of encouraged him.”

Hino himself had decided to change his short program. When you remember the spirit that you started with and want to reaffirm your passion for skating, the past program gives you courage to reconnect with your old self at that time.

Hino was sharing Yamamoto’s emotional turmoil with him and gazing at Yamamoto’s performance. However, Yamamoto performed his SP still feeling lost, and failed all his jumps and received zero points for some of his spins. He took 18th with 43.38 points.

Yamamoto said, “I was so worried that it was my first time having the urge to stop skating in the middle of performance. Since the NHK Trophy, little by little I have become aware that I was trailing behind other skaters. After the Nationals was over, I came face to face with myself, and realized that I had fallen to such a low level. To be honest, I’ve started to wonder whether I can continue my athletic career.”

-- to be continued
 
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-- Continued from the last post

Stunned by defeat, Yamamoto spoke his mind. But he squeezed out every last bit of his mental strength and talked about how things went on.

Hino initiated a conversation

Yamamoto said, “Hino-kun has been my senpai (senior) since I moved to Nagoya in my first year of middle school. When I was going through a hard time after injuries he invited me to eat out. He has been very nice to me. Since this Kokutai was his final one as he retires, in order not to drag him down, I would like to hang in there in the FS tomorrow.

On that night, the SP was over after 9pm and it was late at night, but Hino spoke to Yamamoto. Yamamoto recalled that night.

“It was at a late hour, but Hino-kun was kind enough to go out with me to buy late night snacks and to eat with me. If he had not been there for me, I might have been depressed alone in my room. He gave me lots of encouraging words, and he kindly made small talk with me on various things as well.

https://number.bunshun.jp/articles/-/847061?page=3
“A few years from now, it will become a beautiful memory.”

Hino said, “Sota apologized to me for the SP placement, but I said to him ‘No matter how you will skate, after all, a few years down the road it will turn into a beautiful memory for you, so do what you want to do. Don’t be concerned about me just because it’s my last Kokutai’.”

The following day FS was on. Yamamoto’s skating order was 7th and he changed his FS to last season’s “In this Shirt.” He landed 3A and his usual noble and beautiful skating fascinated the attendees. His performance seemed to show that he was holding out hope. He hugged Hino who had been watching him at rinkside, and the two sat at K&C. He bounced back and took 2nd in the FS with 127.10 points. He spoke in a steady voice.

“Yesterday I was filled with anxiety and I felt like stopping performance, but Hino-san and many people gave me words of support. Usually I fight alone, but I was able to skate today’s FS feeling lots of power given to me. After Hino senpai follows a different career path, I would like to follow in his footsteps and somehow positively influence my kohais as their senpai at Chukyo University.”

--The end
 
Thank you for the translations, Rainbow! At least we know Sota is planning to stay at Chukyo a bit longer, so hopefully we'll see a graduation eventually ^ ^
Well, as could be expected, there's no recent news on Sota, in case anyone but me is interested :P The only thing I could find was this photo from the Chukyo rink from a few days ago (I think someone wrote it's from Miyabi Oba's instastories) where we can see Sota, Ryuju and Tatsuya: https://ameblo.jp/ching-shenlong/image-12659750983-14903949693.html
I read today that Tatsuya already has a degree at Kobe university, so maybe the boys still meet on occasions. The blogger above is wondering if Tatsuya could *also* be Onishi's student - I have to say the 'also' doesn't make me happy. Sota's lost his jumps twice under him, and I'd say that's enough. That guy clearly has no idea how to help him, so I am hoping Sota's waiting for Hayashi to be back, or is heading to some more competent coaching team.
 
Latest blog entry by Komichi features an excerpt from Quadruple Axel interview with Sota and Onishi (12/23/20). https://ameblo.jp/kmn-psn/entry-12661177290.html
The interview seems to have taken place after September Chubu regionals.

O: I was out of touch with him for 8 years, but I realize again that his skating has improved a lot during that time. I think I have to observe carefully and study every day how to improve his good points and how to improve him. After all, he is quite talented. He is fantastic.
S: Thank you. I have a tendency to go my own way in practice, which is also my biggest shortcoming, but Onishi sensei has an insight into my mind (omitted).
O: I think he knows it well. He has grown up. I think it's very important to know your weaknesses. If you understand your weaknesses and polish off your skills, you will definitely be top-notch. (Omitted)
S: Although I know I have to do what I have to do, I cannot train my body thoroughly myself, so I asked my sensei to give me the final push. (omitted)
O: What he is doing is no easy task. However, he works very earnestly, so I am grateful for that.
S: No [laughter]. It's still far from the training that sensei expects me to do. I don't think I can improve unless I raise the quantity and quality of my training, so I think I have to do it with the resolve to work my way up to the top.
--I would like to ask you how you came to have a coach-student relationship again.
O: (After the Nationals) I heard that Sota had left Howa club, I was worried that Sota would have no place to practice. So, I contacted him and said to him, "Until which team you belong to is decided, you can skate at Rinkai for the time being." Did I say "Come over here to skate anytime"?
S: Yes.
--I understand you added, "If anything happens, contact me anytime." I heard that these words meant a lot to Yamamoto senshu.
S: Yes. Until now, I've been moving from place to place for my skating training purposes time and again, and I've been causing a lot of trouble to my family. But again (due to changes in the club situation he was considering transferring to at the beginning of the year), I found myself standing at a crossroads. I asked myself “Where should I go to skate from now on," and I was going through a very difficult time. At that time, I remembered the words of Onishi sensei who said, "Let me know if anything happens," and I went to see him, saying, "Please listen to my story."
O: Yeah.
S: At that time, sensei cheered me up and made me want to do my best. So I was once again practicing alone, but I had so much on my mind that I later asked sensei to coach me.
O: I thought, "Both of us must buckle down and work hard to unite our goals." I'm thinking all the time about what I need to do, what I can do, how to develop his strengths and how to overcome his weaknesses. Now that he's serious about skating, I'm sure his hard work will pay off, but I'm not going to rush ahead and I’m planning for a year or two.
--What do you think is Yamamoto senshu's best quality?
O: Above all, he has a good personality.
S: Ahahaha [laughter].
O: He is very innocent and honest. A skater who has been through a lot usually strengthens his ego, but in that respect he is extremely pure. I'm surprised at how pure-minded he is. From a technical point of view, he glides very smoothly. It's already his big asset. There are times when you have to learn the basics of skating solidly. In the case of Sota, I remember very well I made him practice skating skills when he was in the 5th grade of elementary school. At that time, Sota was practicing really hard. Nowadays, he has become a skater who glides so well that I’m amazed and surprised.
S: I think Onishi sensei helped me build the foundation of my skating skills. (omitted) I want to polish my skills more and grow more.

-- to be continued
 
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Thank you! I like the part about Sota being so pure of heart. That was my impression of him too, based on interviews.

I stumbled upon this video a few days ago - a fan video of Sota (from 0:15 to 0:30) and a bunch of other Chukyo skaters 'performing' to an Armenian polka :rofl:lol, Sota's movements are spot on! https://youtu.be/_YRAYp5A72w
 
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