I was afraid of this. He looked nervous in the training photos. It's not that much getting a hard Challenger - he's done well against hard competition before. Provided the SP result is not caused by injury or boot issues, IMO it's a combination of:
- 1) a SP that doesn't suit him and showcase his strengths (and I suspect that for all his words of how excited he is about it, he *knows* it deep down, and will keep messing it up as the season goes, because he's insecure with this type of music),
- 2) Sota's usual nerves, which he always has when a lot is expected from him - and it is. He's entering this season as a GPF medalist, and I suppose it wasn't just the fans who were predicting a medal for him here. He also has the messed-up SP from WC hanging like a cloud over him, and JSF looking at him suspiciously because of it. As much as I care for Sota, this repeat of WC SP hasn't exactly proved them they can rely on him to deliver,
- and 3) a bad strategy, namely backloading his combo, although he knew, per his own words, how risky that is. No matter how secure the combo is in trainings, competitions are usually a huge stress for Sota, and what works in trainings may fail, and vice versa.
I have noticed this a couple of times - when Sota boasts about how well trained he is, or how secure some element is, he tends to mess up. It backfired at WC 2023, it backfired here, it backfires at every Nationals.
This score is just as weak as Nozomu's, who's just had a coaching change, and isn't doing too well. Sota has a stable center that he loves, hopefully enough money from prizes and shows and fans, overseas choreo, and yet this happened. And call me a party pooper, but I suspect it's not for the last time this season, either
*cough*Nationals...*cough*
I still cheer for Sota of course, but I do think he needs to go back to the drawing board, work quietly, set modest goals for himself, especially before Nationals, and work hard at making his dream of a GP victory come true. He absolutely can, because he's got the skills. He's messed up and doubted himself multiple times in the past, yet he always rebounded and proved to everyone that he's among the best in the world. The problem is, the emotional overwhelms & confidence fails (as I interpret it) keep returning at times. He's not very good at dealing with pressure and mass media attention, either. I think talking less - in all settings - about his training, preparedness, and high goals, may help him there. Just my personal guess.
A SP change would also be a good thing, *if* skates like this one keep coming. Like I said multiple times, going back to her comfort zone from Wilson's innovation did wonders for Evgenia. Well-scoring Sota > 'New Sota'. Scrap that SP if it repeatedly doesn't work. RikuRyu just did.
I care if Sota's happy and not stressed. And I can tell he's happy when he has stable results and overseas competitions. I'm sure he'll do all in his might to retain them.
Now I think it would be great if Sota could use frustration and determination to bring out a solid FS, and improve his standing. How far up that would land him, is a question, but you never know in skating. Tomorrow's a new day, so good luck, Sota, and do your best!
My hope of Sota getting a bronze here almost came true.
And his StSq was also lv2. What does he do wrong? Whenever I happen to watch junior menon JGP, they're showered with lv3 and 4 for both... I don't think that can be explained s having more energy due to fewer quads. Just strange. OTOH, when Sota nails his jumps, he gets fairly nice marks. He landed all jumps in Chubu, except a 3A fall, and one wonky quad.
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