Sota Yamamoto
- Thread starter surimi
- Start date
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Crossposting this from Kazuki's fan fest: https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/458474
An article talking about Sota (and Kazuki)'s thoughts ahead of Nationals!
An article talking about Sota (and Kazuki)'s thoughts ahead of Nationals!
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Thanks! I summed up the most interesting points from the Sota part on the previous page :]
Sota's Fuji TV profile for Nationals: https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/SotaYAMAMOTO.html
He mostly picked photos from Asian Open and Coupe du Printemps. Those two competitions must have meant a lot to him. He also picked a photo of a cold drink that he enjoys when in the sauna. His message says thank you for your support, and I'll do my best at Nationals. Good luck to Sota, then!
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Good luck to Sota at Nationals tomorrow! He dreams of a podium, and I'll personally be happy with the top 6. I hope he can have a skate that he enjoys! 
www.nikkansports.com
【フィギュア】山本草太SP86.89で３位「悔しい」抜群の安定感を誇ってきたジャンプにミス - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ
今月上旬のグランプリ（GP）ファイナル銀メダルの山本草太（22＝中京大）は23番滑走で登場し、86.89点で3位だった。冒頭からの4回転ジャンプ。最初のトール… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）
www.nikkansports.com
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Those quotes are now good to post again 
(https://www.insideskating.net/2022/...-close-to-shoma-and-increase-my-level-further)
All the best!
and just because it's cute:
(https://www.insideskating.net/2022/...-close-to-shoma-and-increase-my-level-further)
All the best!
and just because it's cute:
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- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Best of luck tomorrow, Sota! I think I've read his practice went well, but practice is practice, and competition is competition (I think Yuzuru said that?) That's especially true in Sota's case, as his nerves are improving in overseas competitions, but Nationals still haunts him. Well, as long as he skates calm and focused, never gives up even if there's a mistake, and doesn't overthink, he could still land fairly high up the result list. Fingers crossed for him, he can do it, and finish better than last year! Ganbatte!
I think I've read his practice went well, but practice is practice, and competition is competition (I think Yuzuru said that?) That's especially true in Sota's case, as his nerves are improving in overseas competitions, but Nationals still haunts him. Well, as long as he skates calm and focused, never gives up even if there's a mistake, and doesn't overthink, he could still land fairly high up the result list. Fingers crossed for him, he can do it, and finish better than last year! Ganbatte!
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Not the Nationals results he was looking for, BUT HE IS GOING TO WORLDS! 
That is deserved IMO. Sota achievements over the GP season were fantastic and fulfilled JSF's criteria for selection fair and square!
That is deserved IMO. Sota achievements over the GP season were fantastic and fulfilled JSF's criteria for selection fair and square!
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
For his worst competition of the season so far, he's definitely shown improvement since last season in terms of keeping his nerves in check. Last season, he might have messed up more jumps. Today, it was the quads that were eluding him, plus his legs are still bent for the axels, so no wonder he got a Q for his second one. I guess it's some sort of mental thing, perhaps caused by his injury, or maybe there's something off with his basic axel technique.
Now his most dreaded competition of the season is finally behind him (he was super nervous, that much was obvious from the video I managed to see online). He has time to prepare for WC in peace. I'm not as worried for him abroad as I am when he's doing Nationals. I guess he feels the weight of the expectations more keenly at home. Although, now that I hear his admired teammate doesn't want him there, I wonder how he'll cope, seeing his face throughout all WC. I hope he's too seasoned to fold just because of another person's opinion. Especially since he's going to have Kazuki there.
I am Yes and No about Sota going to WC. Yes, he deserves to go, and he himself would probably prefer such a major event to 4CC. But the field is going to be deeper and harder, and who knows if the Russians aren't allowed back in the meantime. Kazuki withstood that pressure like a boss, when he went to his first WC, but the circumstances were different, and so is Kazuki's mindset and personality. Anyhow, it's a hard competition, but it's another chance to test his skills and mindset, and it's more breathable than Nationals for Sota, I'll wager.
Well done overall, Sota, and now for some deserved rest, and then WC preparation!
Now his most dreaded competition of the season is finally behind him (he was super nervous, that much was obvious from the video I managed to see online). He has time to prepare for WC in peace. I'm not as worried for him abroad as I am when he's doing Nationals. I guess he feels the weight of the expectations more keenly at home. Although, now that I hear his admired teammate doesn't want him there, I wonder how he'll cope, seeing his face throughout all WC. I hope he's too seasoned to fold just because of another person's opinion. Especially since he's going to have Kazuki there.
I am Yes and No about Sota going to WC. Yes, he deserves to go, and he himself would probably prefer such a major event to 4CC. But the field is going to be deeper and harder, and who knows if the Russians aren't allowed back in the meantime. Kazuki withstood that pressure like a boss, when he went to his first WC, but the circumstances were different, and so is Kazuki's mindset and personality. Anyhow, it's a hard competition, but it's another chance to test his skills and mindset, and it's more breathable than Nationals for Sota, I'll wager.
Well done overall, Sota, and now for some deserved rest, and then WC preparation!
That's an interesting situation now for Sota, he achieved the nomination with what must have felt like a bit of letdown initially, but overall, as surimi mentioned, it might not have been.
Congrats!
I had to leave during Sena's FS but managed to record from then on, so I have a long video with the last 9 FS and stuff afterwards. You can skip to what you want to see, including Sota's FS.
Anyone interested, PM me and I'll send you the link.
Congrats!
I had to leave during Sena's FS but managed to record from then on, so I have a long video with the last 9 FS and stuff afterwards. You can skip to what you want to see, including Sota's FS.
Anyone interested, PM me and I'll send you the link.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
^ For Sota, the result was fairly good, but there's no denying he'd have finished lower if others weren't messing up as well. He's always freaking out mentally at Nationals, and making mistakes, but this time, it was still enough to secure him a competition. I hope he makes better use of this opportunity than last year's Challenge Cup. I still wish he'd get a smaller competition before WC to make him forget the disappointment of Nationals, and tune his mind for WC.
I also hope this Nationals experience helps him mentally, and he can skate more confidently next season, which would also land him higher. Sumitada's FS success should be his inspiration.
I have found this brief video of Sota's and Mai's interview after the gala: https://twitter.com/ravensburger__/status/1607321218042179588
I'll try to listen tomorrow once more, but I wish I could understand them better.
I also hope this Nationals experience helps him mentally, and he can skate more confidently next season, which would also land him higher. Sumitada's FS success should be his inspiration.
I have found this brief video of Sota's and Mai's interview after the gala: https://twitter.com/ravensburger__/status/1607321218042179588
I'll try to listen tomorrow once more, but I wish I could understand them better.
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Sota is going to Universiade!
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Good luck to Sota at Universiade! It's always unfortunate when alternates have to step in due to a participant's injury, but I hope Sota can make the most out of this opportunity.
This is the first time he's competing at Lake Placid, and if I'm counting correctly, it will be his 3rd time competing in the US.
His closest events should now be the Nagoya Festival in a week, and then the Universiade.
This is the first time he's competing at Lake Placid, and if I'm counting correctly, it will be his 3rd time competing in the US.
His closest events should now be the Nagoya Festival in a week, and then the Universiade.
