Sota Yamamoto

[rRainbow]

Thanks, Kirara, for the twitter video clips of ドデスカ みなとアクルス杯.
Translation of the interviews:

Sota: I am half happy that I was able to set a new personal best, and half feeling that it is only July. I will do my best to be the kind of person that everyone expects me to be.

Akiko: As he said, he has done well for this time of the year, but he can still do better, as he has done better in practice. His steps are good when practiced separately, but when he does a run through, he is not physically ready yet. But he skates so nobly and beautifully, so I choreographed to make the best use of it, and I would like to refine it as we go into the season, and I would like to train him a bit more. He still made some mistakes, and I know he can do more, so I would like to work with him from here.

 

[surimi]

Yes, well said, Akiko. ^ ^ She sounds like the right person for Sota to work with. He can do yet more in terms of consistency, and maybe the 3F3Lo combo. It looks like the 3F2A is deliberate for now - I have seen a fan report saying he did it in practice as well so all is good, maybe he's pacing the progress carefully to peak in time for Nationals. Gensan Cup will reveal more.
Speaking of Gensan, the entry list stopped working for me, so posting another one: https://twitter.com/azayakanablue/status/1544783116333715456/photo/1
23 skaters will compete for the meat. Sota is my favorite of course, and I'll be cheering for him to win, but I'll be happy with him on the podium in general, provided he only loses to Kazuki or Kao. Tatsuya, Sena and LT Honda are also there, and are very strong, but I hope Sota can beat them. Other interesting names in the entry list are Sota's Chukyo buddy Kimichika Wada, and his friends Kazuki Kushida and Taichiro Yamakuma. He'll be in good company. ^ ^ 3/4 of the Onsen Club are there. :] (I hope Mitsuki's fine as he's not entered)

 

[KiraraChin]

Thank you @rRainbow for the translation! I really like Akiko-san as a choreographer, I'm so happy she's working with Sota! Can't wait to see how his free will evolve throughout the season

 

[rRainbow]

According to the JSF's business plan, senior summer camp is from Jul. 7 thru 10 in Karuizawa. Test skate for CS and NHK Trophy TBA spot will be on Jul 30 and 31 at NTC in Osaka. Last year the test skate for the NHK TBA spot was in September, but this year the schedule was moved up for some reason. Sota's chances for GPS seem to be very slim given the deep field of Japanese senior men, I hope will do the best he can at the test skate.

 

[rRainbow]

山本草太　オフ期間に４回転フリップを猛練習していた「合宿中にも挑戦したい」 - ライブドアニュース

フィギュアスケートの全日本強化合宿が９日、長野・軽井沢風越公園アイスアリーナで行われ、男子で２１年全日本８位の山本草太（中京大）が参加。氷上練習ではフリー「ラフマニノフのピアノ協奏曲第２番」の曲かけ

news.livedoor.com

Figure skating All-Japan training camp was held at Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park Ice Arena in Nagano, Japan, and, and Sota Yamamoto (Chukyo Univ.), the 8th place finisher in 2021 All-Japan Men's Figure Skating, participated. During the run-through of the free program "Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2" he landed 4S and 4T and so on.

This season's short program (SP) is "Yesterday," a repeat of last season's program. In the Free skate, he will perform a new program, with three quad jumps with two types, toe loop and salchow. He revealed that he had actually tried a quad flip in the off-season, "I was able to land it, but I was still struggling a little bit, like under-rotating. I haven't been able to practice it recently, so I would like to try it during this training camp," he added.

As for his goals for this season, he said, "I would like to compete in the GP Series, if I have a chance, so that I can compete at the top level," and for All-Japan in December, "I want to perform well. I'll just do what I can do, day by day."

 

[rRainbow]

2 more reports on Sota in summer camp:

山本草太　新シーズンは4回転フリップにも挑戦中「軸と回転の融合に苦戦」

フィギュアスケートの全日本合宿が9日、長野・軽井沢町の「風越公園アイスアリーナ」で行われ、参加した21年全日本選手権8位の山本草太（中京大）が取材に応じた。フリーで...

news.goo.ne.jp

This season, he is working on a new free program. While he plans to incorporate three quadruple jumps into the program, including a salchow and two toe loops, he is now trying a quad flip as well. “I've been training it since the off-season, and I was still under-rotating, struggling with the integration of axis and rotation," he said. "I would like to challenge myself with jumps after this practice," he added.

山本草太「オフは４回転フリップを練習」　フィギュア全日本合宿公開

フィギュアスケートの全日本強化合宿が９日、長野県軽井沢町で報道陣に公開され、参加選手が取材に応じた。昨季の全日本選手権８位の山本草太（中京大）の今季への意気込み...

news.goo.ne.jp

"I think I am having a very fulfilling time (at the training camp). Off the ice, I practiced quad flip, but I struggled to perfectly coordinate axis and rotation, as I fell when I rotated, and could not rotate when I was conscious of my axis. I would like to practice new things with everyone at the training camp, while keeping each other's spirits high, and I would like to take on challenges in jumps.

I don't know if I will be selected for the Grand Prix Series (this season), but I would like to set that as my goal for now. If I am selected, I would like to aim for a high placement. I want to give a good performance at the All-Japan Championships, so I will do what I can do, one day at a time.

(As for quadruple jumps in the free skate), I'm planning to do three jumps this season, a salchow and two toe loops, for now. （For the free skate), I chose classical music myself. I think classical music is very much my style, and I feel like I am good at skating to it. I will practice more and more to make it a good performance, a good program. I will keep the short program (SP).”

 

[KiraraChin]

Thanks for the info! I actually think Sota will get two GP spots this season, because he's not far off the Top 24, and I think many skaters won't be participating - for example Nathan announced he will be taking a break, and it seems Vincent too, older skaters such as Jason and Yuzu might want to skip the GP series, etc. Also, the Russian guys in the Top 24 won't be participating since they are still banned from international competition. So I think there will be extra spots available and I think Sota is well positioned to take two of these spots

 

[surimi]

Thank you for the translations, Rainbow!
Sota just won't let the 4F be, does that boy have a sense of self-preservation? I know, silly question - of course he doesn't, he admires Yuzuru the most, who is not really know for being merciful to his body. x_x
At least he's vowing to make a splash at Nationals. Hopefully it will click for him this season!

Now, should we make a betting club re. Sota's GP chances? Rainbow thinks he won't get one. Kirara think he'll get two. I think he'll get one. hehe... I know he's fairly high up the list, Kirara, but the unfortunate thing is, everyone else in the Nationals top 10 will get two spots. Sans Koshiro who's likely to get none (if there's some fairness in this world, and unless he skates lights out somewhere and snatches that NHK TBD). And there can be some doubt whether Sena will get one or two spots, but one GP is a sure thing for him, as 4CC alone last season brought him comfortably higher than Sota, and he's got his mighty coach's push.
Isn't 18 the max number of spots for Japanese men? If I'm not mistaken, not even the Russian women at their peak managed to fill 3 spots per 1 GP, so... :/ And while Sota is fairly high in the subs list, I can unfortunately see countries picking less dangerous, or closer living men. I can see Finland preferring someone like Majorov or Selevko 2, I can see France giving spots to Frangipani and Memola over Sota, I can see Canada picking Kerry after Sota beat all their skaters but Messing last year, etc. Hence the host countries' preferences is what's most likely to prevent Sota from having two GP spots. Just my two ...

ETA: Sota thanks his fans for their support last season: https://twitter.com/AxelQuadruple/status/1546418913483067392

ETA2: I still can't get over the Japanese shows not picking Sota for whatever reason. Just found out that *zebra pants guy* who has never made it to Nationals top 10, is in a show while Sota isn't. The producers must be smoking some powerful stuff.

 

[rRainbow]

Now, should we make a betting club re. Sota's GP chances? Rainbow thinks he won't get one. Kirara think he'll get two. I think he'll get one. hehe...

The reason why I see Sota's GPS chances very slim is that by a quick calculation there are 7 skaters with practically guaranteed 2 GPS spots; Six in S-rank, Yuzuru, Shoma, Yuma, Kazuki, Kao & Tatsuya, plus Shun in A-rank. All of them except Tatsuya are above Sota in rankings but Tatsuya will probably get 2 spots based on his podium finish at the JWC. Therefore 14 spots will be taken (7 x 2) before Sota is considered, or 7 skaters have higher priority over Sota, while there are only 6 GPS including the England event. Traditionally senior summer camp is for the skaters considered for GPS assignments, so I felt relieved that Sota was added. JSF might have thought about the possibility of Yuzuru WD from GPS. Anyway, Sota may get substitute spots. We'll see.

 

[rRainbow]

I found this note on a document sharing site. The creator of the note shares her friend's report on Minato AQULS Trophy. I got their permission to post it on GS Sota thread.

https://note.com/ice_ice_flower/n/n544edeec3250?nt=comment_to_6136891

Translation:
Sota's SP:
I lined up after 7:00. It wasn't too hot where I was in line, but it was hot inside, even though it was an ice rink, I was sweating.

The pamphlets were distributed from 11:30, and about 20 people got in line, and I went in through the entrance. (The pamphlets were then sold out for the day after 11:30. It seems that even without a pamphlet, if the venue was not full, you could still enter if you had your hand stamped.)

Miyabi-chan and Shunshun (Shunsuke) went to the reception desk. Shunshun stayed at the reception a little longer. Sota-kun came. (Both Shunshun and Sota-kun had smooth and silky hair.) He quickly finished the check-in and disappeared from my sight.

After a while, he came to a vending machine. I think he was wearing a navy blue (or iron color?) long T-shirt and his usual black jersey with a logo on the calf.

I was able to see Sota-kun in the official practice session because the audience was allowed to enter the rink earlier than scheduled. He was practicing with girls.

After a while, Sota-kun suddenly started his run-through with 4T2T, 4SSo (both feet), jumped a 1A and tried it again, landing a 3A. As he practiced, he landed 4T3T.

While occasionally drinking from a bottle of Iyemon (?) green tea which he had just bought, he and Hongo sensei exchanged smiles as he practiced. When he landed his jump on both feet, he seemed to have been instructed to tighten his side (?). He practiced sit-spins at the end.

He had tapes wrapped around his boots. He finished the practice and got off the ice with the tape in his hand.

When the competition started, I spotted Machiko sensei. I looked at the rink side and her eyes met mine .

Sota-kun went to greet Machiko sensei before the junior boys .

The costume of “Yesterday” was the same as last season. Since there was only one senior skater, I thought he was going to do the 6-minute warmup with juniors, but for some reason, Machiko sensei was apologizing to juniors, saying "Sorry," so it was just Sota-kun, a senior, doing the 6-min. warmup.

I don't remember details of his jumps, but he landed 3A and 4S. There was a round of applause.

And then, the competition started. 4T3T, 4T3T, 4Sfall, 3A.
4T3T was beautiful. The spectator's seat was on the opposite side of the judges, and he jumped it on the right side of the rink, closer to the judges. Sota-kun's light, but powerful 4T3T.

His 4S was on the left side and closer to the audience side. He jumped a 3A on the right side and closer to the judges, having glided from the audience side.

When he jumped, Machiko sensei yelled "Go, go!"
When he fell on his 4S, she exclaimed "Oh ⤵⤵⤵", and Sota-kun smiled bitterly after his performance.

I was watching him thinking he was doing well. His facial expression was good. I noticed that his face was leaner and his body was muscular but thinner, and his buttocks were smaller.

There was a round of applause when he did the foot change sit spin. I think it was because he was in a deep position all the way through the spin. I saw a lot of banners raised.

He was interviewed and answered various questions for 7 or 8 minutes. (I was watching from a little higher up, so I couldn't hear.)

Aichi Prefectural Skating Federation was there to cover the event. I wonder which TV station it was. I am looking forward to it!

 

[rRainbow]

FS on Sunday:

https://note.com/ice_ice_flower/n/n2139b1b77b53

Everyone came early in the morning and waited in line in the heavy rain. Thank goodness there was a roof over our heads. We were let in about 10 minutes before the opening time, and the attendant said, "Thank you all for your kind efforts from so early in the morning. I guess Sota-kun fans from all over the country had gathered.

Once inside, we took our temperature and were given stickers. If you attend for 3 days, you would have green, red, and gold stickers.

When I entered the venue, I found Sota-kun practicing among the girls. New costume! Was he wearing it from the official practice for the fans? The color was dark purple, very thin fabric, and the hem was cropped.

A few moments later, his run-through started. It was not the Rachmaninoff I had been familiar with. Mao's Rachmaninoff left a strong impression on me, so the music track was completely different and fresh. The violin, not the piano, sounded profound, but I didn't feel it was heavy, perhaps because of the choreography or Sota-kun's skating.

He finished in the middle of the music. He landed 4T3T, 3A, as well as 4S, and I'm glad Sota-kun got to land his 3A! He also practiced sit-spins.

After the official practice was over, he sat on the bench by the rink for a while, cleaning his blades and boots. After rolling up the tapes that had been wrapped around them, he left the rink with them in his hands.

After the junior boys started, he warmed up by jogging on the rink side.

Today his 6-minute warmup was with the 2nd group of Junior boys (though I was hoping for his solo 6-minute warmup today, too.) I don't remember much, because I was so nervous about his first performance of his new program, but in the warmup, he landed 3A1eu3S, 4T3T, 3A, and 4S, as well.

And then his performance. Choreography by Akko-chan, who knows Sota-kun very well. Long spread eagle was also included. Sota-kun's beautiful skating was showcased in this program, and I found it to be a classy program by a mature adult.

My favorite part is the finishing pose after repeating spins. My favorite part of the choreography is the way he covers his face. I felt that the steps were choreographed in Akko-chan's style.

It was an elegantly sensual program, different from Io ci sarò. I was surprised at the high level of perfection early in the season. I'm looking forward to Gensan.

This program makes you cry He touched his hair after his performance .

Partly because there were many Sota-kun fans, the entire audience stood up at once and cheered for him. .
Sota-kun's banner, banner, and banner.
Sota-kun coming back smiling, smiling

When he came back, he and Machiko sensei held each other's hands repeatedly on the rink's railing. I was so moved. I wondered how much his score would be...

As soon as his score was announced, I couldn't hear the last part due to the roar of the crowd.
What? Was it 180?, huh, the total score 270? (I couldn't hear it either.) I was so excited that I uttered, "So-chan is amazing!"

After the performance, he was interviewed on the first floor. Fuji TV and Nagoya TV tweeted about it and posted a photo of his finishing pose.

Before the award ceremony, he was smiling and was taking a lot of pictures with Chukyo skaters (Mako-chan's big jumps were back. Miyabi-chan performed confidently, and Kinayu-chan was also performing beautifully).

I was by myself and had my picture taken with Chugle (t/n: Chukyo’s mascot), so maybe someone will post it on their instagram.

After that, it was time for the award ceremony for the junior girls, boys, senior boy, and girls in that order. When his name was called, he waved to the audience and went to the podium. He was smiling the whole time.

Sota-kun stood on the podium twice with a beautiful posture and a beautiful way of standing, as he won the Minato AQULS Trophy 1st place and also the Nagoya Mayor's Prize for 1st place in each category.

It was a super exhausting experience for me to attend the competition, but I feel happy to have been able to see Sota-kun's fantastic performance.
- End -

 

[surimi]

Thank you for the translation, Rainbow, and thanks also to the poster of that review. It's just the kind of informative review that I like - nothing melodramatic, just simple emotions and a lot of facts
- I hope Sota's in-season diet is still fine, I have also noticed he's quite thin. Sota likes eating, therefore I'm hopeful that he wouldn't give in to any strict dieting nonsense. It is known to affect male skaters as well, so it's never too late to hope for Sota's wellbeing
- That fan seems in awe after meeting Machiko's gaze ^ ^ I guess it isn't usual for coaches to interact with the audience in Japan?
- Sota flashing an apologetic grin after he splats, that's not bad. He sometimes does those quirky faces when things don't go as he hoped they would. I think I still have a photo of him grimacing in dissatifaction after the Warsaw Cup FS practice. The important thing is that he fights, and doesn't give up easily, or let the mistake affect the rest. I never want to hear "I didn't have the strength..." again, or see him as clueless as after 2022 CC FS when reality only seemed to dawn on him after the scores had been announced.
- I'm surprised warming up by the boards is allowed during competitions. But maybe it wasn't distracting in this case.
- I'm glad I already know that Sota's tape doesn't necessarily mean his boots are gone. I wouldn't stop worrying otherwise ^ ^
- normally, I'd say the piano is more suited to Sota's skating than the fluid violin, but I have only heard a few snippets of his FS, so can't judge.
- about Sota touching his hair - yeah, he usually re-arranges his hair when he finishes a performance. It's a funny and endearing habit ^ ^
- it makes me happy to read of the standing ovation and many banners. Thank you, fans

***************

Here's a tired Sota closeup during practice (I finally figured image insert out, go me! ):

 

[surimi]

New JFS profiles have been published! The links are the same as last season, and here's Sota's - https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/figure/player/detail.php?id=kFttigayOgY=
Interesting new hobbies - sauna (Kazuki approves, I'm sure), aroma (does he mean aromatherapy?), and listening to music. I hope he still enjoys eating and sleeping, too ^ ^
I'm gonna be my usual opinionated gaijin self, and say I don't find Sota's motto particularly creative, he basically says he'll challenge himself and be true to himself. The real challenge for him is staying stalwart in competition, so I'll hope that's what he means by his vague wording, and not, say, the 4F.
Also, I have noticed the peculiar selection of Sota's competitive results in his profile. His bronze at 2022 Challenge Cup is not listed (boy, the JSF must have been really mad about that one!), as are his two 2021 GP where he placed 7th. Apparently, 6th is high enough to make the list (NHK 2019), but 7th isn't. JSF has high standards. Hopefully Sota manages to restoretheir faith in him this season...

 

[surimi]

Sota's tweet about Yuzuru's retirement:
https://twitter.com/so_ta0110/status/1549331155190972416
羽生選手現役生活お疲れ様でした！！！ 競技者として沢山の感動をありがとうございました！！！ 小さい頃からの憧れの選手で、同じ時代でスケートができたこと、会った時にいつも気さくに話しかけてくれたこと、全てが僕にとってかけがえのない宝物です。 これからもずっと憧れでいさせてください
Works very well with Google translate, but hre's my clumsy translation: "Farewell and thank you for your active career! (I think 'geneki seikatsu' is 'active life' which Google omitted) Thank you for the heaps of passion/inspiration as an athlete! I have admired him since I was a child, I was able to skate in the same era, he always talked with me in a friendly manner when we met, and all of that is an irreplaceable treasure to me. Let me keep looking up to you ."

Isn't it a remarkable coincidence that both Sota and Kazuki are wearing costumes this season that refer to Yuzuru? Sota's FS costume is a tribute to Origin, and I think Kazuki's gala outfit is a tribute to Let Me Entertain You. I could be wrong, but I wonder if the two boys knew, or suspected.

 

[surimi]

Sota has a GP, and that makes me happy. He's going to compete at GP France at the beginning of November. His rivals are Kagiyama, Kazuki, Aymoz and Fa, and other who Sota has a bigger chance of defeating. I hope he can make it as close to the podium as possible.
It'd be a nice surprise if Sota managed to snatch also the NHK TBD spot (the more points, the merrier), but as Kao and Sena have one GP each, I'm not sure he'll be chosen.

I originally raised my eyebrows to see all of Kao, Sota, Sena, Koshiro and LT Honda getting one GP each (I was expecting two for Kao and Sena, and none for the other two), but I guess this means JSF sees them as equals, and wants to test who to support the most. I hope Sota doesn't fold, and proves that not only is he way more charismatic than his competition, but also that he can consistently score over 260. Good luck to Sota!

Now I'll keep my fingers crossed for a European Challenger to come Sota's way, otherwise IDK how I'll be able to see him. I'm dreading the US Classic for him TBH, as he did well there the last time so the JSF may decide it's a good stage for him. I don't want him competing against -probably- Malinin, and Pulkinen/Ma on home soil, and maybe the top 2 Canadians. He really needs a new international SB, and ranking points, so my hope is for Europe.

 

[KiraraChin]

Yay, I'm so happy that Sota got a GP spot, and it's GP France with his friend Kazuki!
Now keeping my fingers crossed for a second spot

 

[surimi]

Now, should we make a betting club re. Sota's GP chances? Rainbow thinks he won't get one. Kirara think he'll get two. I think he'll get one.

I guess I won the prediction contest from 14 days ago (only fair since I always mess up the official ones terribly )
I hope you're right, Kirara, and Sota gets one more GP. My biggest wish right now is for a new and competitive season's best that would grant Sota a GP next year. And also for a Challenger in Europe, as for me as a fan who'd love to come see Sota, a Challenger in the US and a GP in France (or well, anywhere but maybe Finland) would be a double whammy. Aren't I greedy...

 

[rRainbow]

I guess I won the prediction contest from 14 days ago

Yeah, right. But Kirara might win. We still don't know what happens after this.

 

[KiraraChin]

Cross-posting this from Kazuki's Fan Fest, he mentioned Sota in his latest article for none magazine (Google Translate):
'France is a country where I went to last season's world championships, so I'm lucky and I'm burning with revenge for my free skate. And above all, I got goosebumps when I was with (Yamamoto) Sota. We can finally fight together.
Sota has always been my goal, and it has been my dream for many years to compete in a senior international match. He seemed to be in good shape at the recent training camp, and it seems that the first match was also good. Sota is definitely a talented player, and he is also the most scary person to me. That's why I think I'll be fighting with Sota very conscious this season.'

 

[surimi]

Cross-posting this from Kazuki's Fan Fest, he mentioned Sota in his latest article for none magazine (Google Translate):
'France is a country where I went to last season's world championships, so I'm lucky and I'm burning with revenge for my free skate. And above all, I got goosebumps when I was with (Yamamoto) Sota. We can finally fight together.
Sota has always been my goal, and it has been my dream for many years to compete in a senior international match. He seemed to be in good shape at the recent training camp, and it seems that the first match was also good. Sota is definitely a talented player, and he is also the most scary person to me. That's why I think I'll be fighting with Sota very conscious this season.'

How nice of Kazuki!

I bet Sota's among the followers of Yuzuru's new Youtube channel. No news on him right now other than that he's planning to do another Unlim talkshow for his premium fans in exactly a week from now, apparently it'll be a summer special. He wants to talk about the GP, Gensan, and Obon festival.