メーテレ(Nagoya TV) Interview on Jan. 3.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QwNNVH03rg
Transcript and report by Nagoya TV:
https://www.nagoyatv.com/news/?id=016793
Translation:
Figure Skater Sota Yamamoto Looks Back on His “Turning Point Year”: “Nice” From Shoma Uno, Aspirations for “A New Quadruple”
Q, How did you spend your New Year's holidays?
S: I practiced at Chukyo University until December 31st, and spent only 2 days off. I enjoy the sauna, and I celebrated New Year's Eve in the sauna.
Q: Did you ring in the New Year in the sauna?
S: I started the new year in the sauna with a bunch of skaters (laughs).
Q, What kind of year was 2022 for you?
S: was very happy to finally get some results and compete in the Senior Grand Prix Finals for the first time, where I finished in 2nd place, which was a great result, and I thought it would be one of the turning points.
Yamamoto: "I have more passion for skating than anyone else."
Caption.
2016: Broken right ankle, three surgeries and rehab.
2017: Returned to competition, started over again with a single rotation
Q, I know you had a hard time not being able to stand on the ice, what was that like?
S: I think there was a long period of time when I wondered if I could make it in the future. Before my injury, I felt like I was made to learn skating, or my skating life was mixed with a somewhat negative feeling, but when I experienced not being able to skate, I realized that I really loved skating, and I have been able to work hard at competitions with a positive attitude since then, and since my return to skating, I have not forgotten how much I love skating, and I think I have more passion for skating than anyone else.
Yamamoto: "Finally I am back here," from Shoma Uno: "That was good, nice."
Q: I heard you brought the medal with you today.
S: "Surprisingly light (chuckles)."
Q: Ah, is that right? What do you feel about your Grand Prix Final medal?
S: I feel that I am finally back here again. I had experienced many years of hardship, but I never lost my desire to come back to this kind of competition, and such a strong determination led me to this result, so I am glad I believed in myself.
Q. One thing that is inseparable from Yamamoto senshu is the presence of Uno senshu. What kind of conversation did you have when you were able to achieve a one-two finish?
S: To be honest, we didn't have any special conversation, but right after I finished my FS, we passed each other for a moment when Shoma-kun was about to start his performance. He said, "Good," or rather, "Nice," which made me very happy, so I hope to experience such things more and more with Shoma-kun.
The following italicized part is not included in the video.
A Series of Clenched Fists in Free Skate! Choreographer Akiko Suzuki on the Impressive Scene...
Speaking of the Free Skate of the Grand Prix Final, Yamamoto senshu's powerful gut-pose was memorable.
Akiko Suzuki-san, a former skating club senpai who choreographed this season's free skate, had this to say about Yamamoto's clenched fists:
"When I saw his clenched fists after landing the triple Axel, I was about to burst into tears, but the succession of clenched fists after that made me withdraw my tears, so I would like to ask him to do clenched fists after his performances in the future," said Akiko Suzuki-san.
To this, Yamamoto senshu immediately responded, "Yes, I will."
Clenching My Fist “Comes Out on Its Own... (laughs)
Q. What did you feel about clenching your fists?
S: I myself was thinking about it after my performance, and I think Akiko-san pointed it out to me, because she is emphasizing the vibe of my performance, so I will do my best to make Akiko-san think that I did a good job.
Q, Your fist clenching was memorable at the Grand Prix Final, but it is not something you do consciously, is it?
S: It's just something that comes out on its own... (laughs) I really have to be conscious of it and stop it. I hope to work hard so that it becomes normal to be able to perform well, without clenched fists.
January 10 is his 23rd birthday, and his New Year's resolution is "to master a third type of quad.
Yamamoto senshu will celebrate his 23rd birthday on January 10.
We celebrated with cheesecake, which he loves.
His New Year's resolution is to "master the third type of quadruple.
Q. What are your aspirations for 2023?
S: I want to learn and master the third type of quadruple. Last year, I had been practicing my third type of quadruple, quadruple flip and quadruple Lutz, but my first goal was to have the stable quadruple salchow and quadruple toeloop, which I was able to complete in the Finals. I hope to incorporate a third new quadruple in my program, to improve my level throughout the season.
Q: How close are you to mastering the third quad?
S: I tried it for the first time in a while today, and I didn't land on ice, but it didn't feel bad considering it was for the first time in a long time, so I hope to work on it in the intervals of this season's competitions, and prepare for next season.
Q: What kind of year do you want 2023 to be?
S: I think last year was more of a season of growth than a comeback for me, so I hope to continue to build momentum and improve so that I can aim even higher and higher.
A surprise birthday cake
S: I will do my best so that I can make a jump forward (t/n: 2023 is the year of rabbit, and he was referring to a hopping bunny). Please give me your support.
He turns 23. He's probably on his way to the Universiade at the moment, if not in the US already. May he be healthy this year, do well in competitions, and have many reasons to smile. 
