Sota Yamamoto
- Thread starter surimi
- Start date
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Sota Twitter update 
'Miyagi show starts today! Best regards!'
'Miyagi show starts today! Best regards!'
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
I have no new Sota content to share I'm afraid. There's a lot of interesting talk going on in Sota's online talkshows on Unlim, but that's nothing that can be shared publicly, sadly, and the newspapers have been tightlipped recently, either paywalled or not telling any new info. The best I have is this - just a photo of Sota enjoying Teeth. Meagre days, these, info-wise. At least there are photos from FaoI. IIRC, there are two more shows remaining. Sota will get to work on his SP and FS soon, and has picked both of his choreographers, and that's about all I can share. -_-
Yahoo Japan article on Sota on June 2. I'm afraid Yahoo Japan website is geo-blocked for EU, Island, Norway and Great Britain.
Translation:
Grand Prix Final Silver Medalist Sota Yamamoto Shows His Brand-New Talent With Rock Number “Teeth
There are times when a figure skater's determination can be seen in the selection of music for a program. Yamamoto Sota, who chose "Teeth" as his new exhibition number, may have a strong desire to break new ground.
This season has been a great leap forward for Yamamoto, who once had boded his time after suffering a fracture of his right ankle. He won the silver medal at the Grand Prix Finals last December and competed at the World Championships in March this year. This season's programs, "Yesterday" and "Piano Concerto No. 2" were both slow numbers that showcased Yamamoto's smooth and graceful skating. The music selections that maximized Yamamoto's strengths were also a factor in his breakthrough.
In contrast, "Teeth" (choreographed by Misao Sato), which debuted at Prince Ice World Yokohama on April 29 and he skated at Fantasy on Ice Makuhari on May 26, is a hard rock number. The title of "Teeth," a song about a man's feelings at the mercy of a capricious and charming lover, signifies the "fangs" in her heart.
Yamamoto appeared in a black leather-like costume and skated with sharp moves, expressing the hard tone of the song. Yamamoto's outstanding skating became one with the song, creating a sense of speed as if the wind was blowing from the rink to the audience. Yamamoto's engaging the audience by stopping in front of them is also a great choreography that is only made possible by the speed of his skating. Once again, we are reminded that high quality skating is the basis of figure skating.
Yamamoto, whose fresh skating was impressive as a junior, is already 23 years old. He has grown up to be a mature skater who can wildly express rock numbers about bitter love. Despite the unimaginable suffering Yamamoto must have gone through, having undergone three surgeries for a broken right ankle, we are thankful that he is still showing us his smooth skating.
After the first day of the Prince Ice Worlds in Yokohama, where he gave this program for the first time, Yamamoto was interviewed, "This season has been a season of many competitions for me, and I felt a lot of growth," he reflected.
"I think I had good times and bad times, but I somehow managed to skate through to the end."
"At the beginning of the off-season, I wanted to take a break, but I couldn't because of the choreography for the new exhibition ('Teeth').... This exhibition program was a totally different number from my previous works, so I ended up working very hard in practice.”
"Toward next season, I hope I can do my best while challenging myself to learn new skills," said Yamamoto, who uploaded a video of landing a quadruple Lutz on Twitter on May 18.
I wonder how Yamamoto will do in the new programs next season, as he has an insatiable desire to pursue both technique and expression.
Translation:
Grand Prix Final Silver Medalist Sota Yamamoto Shows His Brand-New Talent With Rock Number “Teeth
There are times when a figure skater's determination can be seen in the selection of music for a program. Yamamoto Sota, who chose "Teeth" as his new exhibition number, may have a strong desire to break new ground.
This season has been a great leap forward for Yamamoto, who once had boded his time after suffering a fracture of his right ankle. He won the silver medal at the Grand Prix Finals last December and competed at the World Championships in March this year. This season's programs, "Yesterday" and "Piano Concerto No. 2" were both slow numbers that showcased Yamamoto's smooth and graceful skating. The music selections that maximized Yamamoto's strengths were also a factor in his breakthrough.
In contrast, "Teeth" (choreographed by Misao Sato), which debuted at Prince Ice World Yokohama on April 29 and he skated at Fantasy on Ice Makuhari on May 26, is a hard rock number. The title of "Teeth," a song about a man's feelings at the mercy of a capricious and charming lover, signifies the "fangs" in her heart.
Yamamoto appeared in a black leather-like costume and skated with sharp moves, expressing the hard tone of the song. Yamamoto's outstanding skating became one with the song, creating a sense of speed as if the wind was blowing from the rink to the audience. Yamamoto's engaging the audience by stopping in front of them is also a great choreography that is only made possible by the speed of his skating. Once again, we are reminded that high quality skating is the basis of figure skating.
Yamamoto, whose fresh skating was impressive as a junior, is already 23 years old. He has grown up to be a mature skater who can wildly express rock numbers about bitter love. Despite the unimaginable suffering Yamamoto must have gone through, having undergone three surgeries for a broken right ankle, we are thankful that he is still showing us his smooth skating.
After the first day of the Prince Ice Worlds in Yokohama, where he gave this program for the first time, Yamamoto was interviewed, "This season has been a season of many competitions for me, and I felt a lot of growth," he reflected.
"I think I had good times and bad times, but I somehow managed to skate through to the end."
"At the beginning of the off-season, I wanted to take a break, but I couldn't because of the choreography for the new exhibition ('Teeth').... This exhibition program was a totally different number from my previous works, so I ended up working very hard in practice.”
"Toward next season, I hope I can do my best while challenging myself to learn new skills," said Yamamoto, who uploaded a video of landing a quadruple Lutz on Twitter on May 18.
I wonder how Yamamoto will do in the new programs next season, as he has an insatiable desire to pursue both technique and expression.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Thank you for sharing the translation, Rainbow! You're right, it's geoblocked in Europe.
It seems most foreigners didn't share the author's impression. Fortunately, most felt the way I also feel - that this version of Rachmaninov is boring, whiny and generally unpleasant to listen to, and as such does not highlight Sota's graceful skating. A 'worthy successor' of his equally whiny, subdued Dragon music. I hope Sota abandons this type of music for good. He's made for more dramatic tones and way more clearcut tunes than this dirge. Being a fan of Sota doesn't have to mean his music must make me happy each time.
I hope he stabilizies his current technique. The axel is still a problematic jump for Sota at times, and if he's eyeing medals, he shouldn't add more elements with high splat risk like 4Lz and 4F. But as for expression, Teeth is a great way to practice. There are multiple genres he can do while avoiding highly difficult entertaining/fast/whiny music. Keeping my fingers crossed for his new picks, hopefully they don't branch out of Sota's comfort zone too much.
Also, Fantasy On Ice ended today for Sota, and here's his and Kazuki's message for the audience:
I had to ROFL at this.
It seems most foreigners didn't share the author's impression. Fortunately, most felt the way I also feel - that this version of Rachmaninov is boring, whiny and generally unpleasant to listen to, and as such does not highlight Sota's graceful skating. A 'worthy successor' of his equally whiny, subdued Dragon music. I hope Sota abandons this type of music for good. He's made for more dramatic tones and way more clearcut tunes than this dirge. Being a fan of Sota doesn't have to mean his music must make me happy each time.I hope he stabilizies his current technique. The axel is still a problematic jump for Sota at times, and if he's eyeing medals, he shouldn't add more elements with high splat risk like 4Lz and 4F. But as for expression, Teeth is a great way to practice. There are multiple genres he can do while avoiding highly difficult entertaining/fast/whiny music. Keeping my fingers crossed for his new picks, hopefully they don't branch out of Sota's comfort zone too much.
Also, Fantasy On Ice ended today for Sota, and here's his and Kazuki's message for the audience:
Thank you for sharing the translation, Rainbow! You're right, it's geoblocked in Europe.
I had to ROFL at this.
I hope he stabilizies his current technique. The axel is still a problematic jump for Sota at times, and if he's eyeing medals, he shouldn't add more elements with high splat risk like 4Lz and 4F. But as for expression, Teeth is a great way to practice. There are multiple genres he can do while avoiding highly difficult entertaining/fast/whiny music. Keeping my fingers crossed for his new picks, hopefully they don't branch out of Sota's comfort zone too much.
Also, Fantasy On Ice ended today for Sota, and here's his and Kazuki's message for the audience:
Fresh, shiny hair for them both
(when you can't really listen, you start to notice strange things 
)
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Cross-posting from Kazuki's Fan Fest 
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Sota is participating in a TV Asahi show called Playlist on Ice on June 24: https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/ch/contents/sports/0515/ . It seems to be a show where skaters present their favorite music (or programs, I'm not sure) theyrelate to the most. It will be interesting to see what Sota chooses!
Also, tomorrow, they're going to broadcast the full length version of the Onsen Club's last meetup, featuring Sota, Kazuki, Taichiro and Mitsuki:
Also, tomorrow, they're going to broadcast the full length version of the Onsen Club's last meetup, featuring Sota, Kazuki, Taichiro and Mitsuki:
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Little clip from FaOI showing Sota and Kazuki talking about how happy they were to be at FaOI and how much they respect Yuzuru 
Sota's piano version of Cinema Paradise: https://twitter.com/i/status/1667889116778995717
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Sota will appear on TV Asahi's 'Playlist on the ice' show on Saturday, 24 June! 'Last season's Grand Prix Final silver medalist Sota Yamamoto appeared as the ninth selector. With the theme of "memory", carefully selected programs that resonate with his own skating life and are deeply engraved in his memory. What kind of playlist did you create? Please stay tuned!'
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Cross-posting from Kazuki's Fan Fest:
Also, seems that Sota was at an event at Chukyo yesterday, as per his IG stories!
Also, seems that Sota was at an event at Chukyo yesterday, as per his IG stories!
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
I don't have much info on the Chukyo event from Sunday (here's a photo from it, I think), so here are the few meagre bits that I've garnered from Twitter:
- Sota's regionals, Chuubu, will take place September 22-24 in Howa Minato, his old training center.
- new teaser for watching Sota's On Ice Playlist on CS TV channel on June 24 - I understood that Sota enjoys watching others skate, and watching skating in general, but nothing else of info value I'm afraid.
I wish I had more interesting news, but from a certain time onwards, I've stopped following the few Japanese Sota-centric blogs that I used to follow, and at the same time, it's hard to stumble upon freely accessible Sota news these days. Everything's either geoblocked/paywalled by Japanese TV channels and newspapers, or it's stuff from Unlim which probably shouldn't be shared beyond. So, Twitter content and a few online articles it is!
- Sota's regionals, Chuubu, will take place September 22-24 in Howa Minato, his old training center.
- new teaser for watching Sota's On Ice Playlist on CS TV channel on June 24 - I understood that Sota enjoys watching others skate, and watching skating in general, but nothing else of info value I'm afraid.
I wish I had more interesting news, but from a certain time onwards, I've stopped following the few Japanese Sota-centric blogs that I used to follow, and at the same time, it's hard to stumble upon freely accessible Sota news these days. Everything's either geoblocked/paywalled by Japanese TV channels and newspapers, or it's stuff from Unlim which probably shouldn't be shared beyond. So, Twitter content and a few online articles it is!
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Not much news until tomorrow (hoping at least some tiny piece of info from the Playlist show makes its way online). So, here's a couple of photos for the time being:
Several Chukyo skaters together, making the Chukyo Uni sign -
Sota, Yuma, Shunsuke, and I should recognize the girls but I don't, I think the one on the left is Mana but not sure.
Sota, Rino(?) and one other girl sitting on a new comfy soft board after the Chukyo rink got renovated:
Also, this 1-minute trailer for tomorrow's Playlist On Ice show (finally, something's available on Youtube, yay).
Several Chukyo skaters together, making the Chukyo Uni sign -
Sota, Yuma, Shunsuke, and I should recognize the girls but I don't, I think the one on the left is Mana but not sure.
Sota, Rino(?) and one other girl sitting on a new comfy soft board after the Chukyo rink got renovated:
Also, this 1-minute trailer for tomorrow's Playlist On Ice show (finally, something's available on Youtube, yay).
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Quite a bit of tape there, I hope those boots are still good?
Sota's playlist talk on Yuzuru's "Parisienne Walkways": https://twitter.com/MsNATARY/status/1672488078374764545
草太が目を輝かせて語る 結弦のすごさ
Sota talks about Yuzuru's greatness with a sparkle in his eyes.
Here's Yuzuru Hanyu's ""Parisienne Walkways." I memorized the choreography so perfectly that I can still dance to it. I love it so much that I have probably watched it over 100 times. He did the steps before the jump, a quad, and immediately after two choctaws he jumped a quad. As for the axel, his triple axel from the backward counter is something I had never seen before, and I think it is a rare sequence of steps entering into a triple axel which Hanyu senshu seriously started to include in his competitions, and he was able to execute it so perfectly. It's such a difficult entry into the triple axel, that skaters are afraid to take a risk, but he put it in from the short program. His jumps are amazing and so difficult. And he never set his own limit, and pushed himself to go further, and I've always wanted to learn from his power. For me, when I strive for perfection too much, I feel more pressure, but Hanyu senshu has the power to overcome such pressure, and he has the ability to give a flawless performance, in spins, expressions, skating, and jumps, without a single wavering moment. I'm sure my competitive life will continue, so I'm constantly praying that I will skate like Hanyu senshu.
草太が目を輝かせて語る 結弦のすごさ
Sota talks about Yuzuru's greatness with a sparkle in his eyes.
Here's Yuzuru Hanyu's ""Parisienne Walkways." I memorized the choreography so perfectly that I can still dance to it. I love it so much that I have probably watched it over 100 times. He did the steps before the jump, a quad, and immediately after two choctaws he jumped a quad. As for the axel, his triple axel from the backward counter is something I had never seen before, and I think it is a rare sequence of steps entering into a triple axel which Hanyu senshu seriously started to include in his competitions, and he was able to execute it so perfectly. It's such a difficult entry into the triple axel, that skaters are afraid to take a risk, but he put it in from the short program. His jumps are amazing and so difficult. And he never set his own limit, and pushed himself to go further, and I've always wanted to learn from his power. For me, when I strive for perfection too much, I feel more pressure, but Hanyu senshu has the power to overcome such pressure, and he has the ability to give a flawless performance, in spins, expressions, skating, and jumps, without a single wavering moment. I'm sure my competitive life will continue, so I'm constantly praying that I will skate like Hanyu senshu.
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- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Thank you @rRainbow ! Appreciated.
@yesterday , I think the tape may not necessarily be to hold Sota's boots together, but he sometimes uses tape to keep the laces in place IIRC. I don't know which is the case here.
I've deleted the rest of my wall of text because I broke the 'don't post when anxious/frustrated' golden rule yet again. Reason - Sota revealed his programs' music, though not yet publicly. It's my habit to howl when programs are announced and I am not happy, but I'll have enough time to do so yet when Sota actually makes them public in shows.
But, the impression that there's a distinct parallel between Evgenia M's last competitive (real) season and what's going around with Sota's programs - that impression is certainly very strong in me. And that things may very well go the same way for him (music-wise. I'm not talking about coaching, injuries and such; heaven forbid).
@yesterday , I think the tape may not necessarily be to hold Sota's boots together, but he sometimes uses tape to keep the laces in place IIRC. I don't know which is the case here.
I've deleted the rest of my wall of text because I broke the 'don't post when anxious/frustrated' golden rule yet again. Reason - Sota revealed his programs' music, though not yet publicly. It's my habit to howl when programs are announced and I am not happy, but I'll have enough time to do so yet when Sota actually makes them public in shows.
But, the impression that there's a distinct parallel between Evgenia M's last competitive (real) season and what's going around with Sota's programs - that impression is certainly very strong in me. And that things may very well go the same way for him (music-wise. I'm not talking about coaching, injuries and such; heaven forbid).
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