- Joined
- May 5, 2018
JSF official posters for nationals and Medallists on Ice features the Worlds 2023 team (minus ice dance), including Sota!
Sota Yamamoto
- Thread starter surimi
- Start date
Sota's FS coverage by Nagoya TV interviewed and commented by Yuhana:
www.youtube.com
Y: What is the highlight of this free program?
S: In the second half, from the choreo sequence after the Axel, the melody builds up, and I think the choreo is the part where I can express my soul or my spirit in the open, so it is a strenuous part for me, but at the same time it is a very enjoyable part to skate, I think. I want to show a different world from the first half, and the last step sequence also has a different melody and expression, so I hope everyone can feel that.
Y: (0:59) Unlike the short skate. Yamamoto senshu's FS is filled with the skating he has developed so far. Stillness and movement are interwoven. Here is Sota Yamamoto senshu's FS.
(1:22) He stops, moves and stops.
(1:55) I love the way he puts his hand to his face here.
(2:26) He managed to hold on and his strength is that he doesn't fall down here.
(2:46) A combination was planned, so I want to keep an eye on his recovery jump in the second half.
(3:04) I like it here where he walks to the sound of the piano.
(3:22) Triple Axel-double toeloop, nice recovery. Look at his expression. It's very exciting.
(4:37) These steps are powerful with a touch of melancholy. Yamamoto senshu says he wants to express this part differently from the choreo.
(4:49) This is it! I absolutely love this dance. I love the way he puts his hands to his face.
(5:31) I think this program has been polished a lot since the Summer Cup and the Autumn Classic.
(5:42) Hugging with Machiko sensei, it's heartwarming, isn't it?
(After FS)
S: In the first competition of the season, with two new programs, I had so many problems both in expression and jumps in the first competition, and I felt very strongly that I couldn't compete like that, so I improved everything, and now I'm gradually beginning to visualize the finished form. I feel that I am climbing the stairs step by step, so I hope that I will be able to step up to the next level and do my best for the Grand Prix Series.
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Y: What is the highlight of this free program?
S: In the second half, from the choreo sequence after the Axel, the melody builds up, and I think the choreo is the part where I can express my soul or my spirit in the open, so it is a strenuous part for me, but at the same time it is a very enjoyable part to skate, I think. I want to show a different world from the first half, and the last step sequence also has a different melody and expression, so I hope everyone can feel that.
Y: (0:59) Unlike the short skate. Yamamoto senshu's FS is filled with the skating he has developed so far. Stillness and movement are interwoven. Here is Sota Yamamoto senshu's FS.
(1:22) He stops, moves and stops.
(1:55) I love the way he puts his hand to his face here.
(2:26) He managed to hold on and his strength is that he doesn't fall down here.
(2:46) A combination was planned, so I want to keep an eye on his recovery jump in the second half.
(3:04) I like it here where he walks to the sound of the piano.
(3:22) Triple Axel-double toeloop, nice recovery. Look at his expression. It's very exciting.
(4:37) These steps are powerful with a touch of melancholy. Yamamoto senshu says he wants to express this part differently from the choreo.
(4:49) This is it! I absolutely love this dance. I love the way he puts his hands to his face.
(5:31) I think this program has been polished a lot since the Summer Cup and the Autumn Classic.
(5:42) Hugging with Machiko sensei, it's heartwarming, isn't it?
(After FS)
S: In the first competition of the season, with two new programs, I had so many problems both in expression and jumps in the first competition, and I felt very strongly that I couldn't compete like that, so I improved everything, and now I'm gradually beginning to visualize the finished form. I feel that I am climbing the stairs step by step, so I hope that I will be able to step up to the next level and do my best for the Grand Prix Series.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Sota's GP starts in just 15 days from now. What's new in the Sota fandom (to my knowledge):
- he's holding his October Unlim meeting on Sunday Oct 15. It seems he'll talk to his fans about his preparation for the GP series.
- Wilson, Sota's SP choreographer, might come watch Sota's performance (per the tweet below). Here's to hoping that even if he does, Sota just focuses on himself, and skates as he does in training -
- here's a post by Nagoya TV who have interviewed Sota recently:
They say the broadcast will be available at a later date. I'd certainly be interested, if they make it available!
- the annual conference with skaters before GP took place last week:
Sota looks very happy, so hopefully he's healthy, and good luck to him!
- he's holding his October Unlim meeting on Sunday Oct 15. It seems he'll talk to his fans about his preparation for the GP series.
- Wilson, Sota's SP choreographer, might come watch Sota's performance (per the tweet below). Here's to hoping that even if he does, Sota just focuses on himself, and skates as he does in training -
- here's a post by Nagoya TV who have interviewed Sota recently:
They say the broadcast will be available at a later date. I'd certainly be interested, if they make it available!
- the annual conference with skaters before GP took place last week:
Sota looks very happy, so hopefully he's healthy, and good luck to him!
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Well, that didn't take long! Here's the video of Nagoya TV's interview with Sota:
youtu.be
The interview takes place in a sauna, and Sota shares his sauna routine with the reporter - sauna, relaxation, and then good food (including his favorite dish, misou katsu) and ice cold drink. I forgot the word 'oropo', but JPN Wiki helped me out, and it's Oronamin C mixed with Pocari Sweat, which appears in Sota's interviews fairly often.
He's grinning from ear to ear almost throughout the interview, and says going to saunas is bliss for him. He also rewarded himself with a sauna experience after winning Chubu regionals.
Good luck to Sota in two weeks in Canada!
ãã£ã®ã¥ã¢ã¹ã±ã¼ã¿ã¼å¼ãµã¦ã好ãâ¡å±±æ¬è太ã«èãã"æ´ã"ã®æ¥µæããµã¦ããä½ãæ±ããããSota YAMAMOTOã
2022年のグランプリファイナル銀メダリスト・山本草太選手。リフレッシュに使う趣味が少なかったという中で「サウナ」に出会ったフィギュアスケーターは今、ドハマリ中！山本選手的「整う」の極意を教えてもらいました！サウナのあとはオロポ（※オロナミンC＋ポカリスエット）がしみるぅ～♡（2023年9月 天然温泉アーバンクア...
youtu.be
He's grinning from ear to ear almost throughout the interview, and says going to saunas is bliss for him.
He also rewarded himself with a sauna experience after winning Chubu regionals. Good luck to Sota in two weeks in Canada!
Thanks @surimi for the sauna video. My translation:
(0:32)
I think the attraction of a sauna is that you can get a sense of mental concentration, a sense that your mind is refreshed, a sense that your body is in order, and that is what makes a sauna so attractive. I think that is the attraction of saunas. I think my body needs a sauna during practice and after competitions when I have worked really hard and exhausted myself. I told myself that I would go to a sauna after working hard before the last Chubu Regionals. So I think I can do my best if I have a sauna as a reward.
(1:15)
I think a sauna is a place where you don't have to think about anything. It is not a place for healing, but a place where you can take care of yourself. Good night.
(1:46)
I could stay here all day.
(2:05)
Yummy!
I usually drink Oropo when I go to the sauna (laughs). It hits the spot. Oh, it's my favorite miso katsu. Miso katsu-don. Thanks for the food.
Yummy!
It's delicious when you mix it (soft boiled egg).
I break it, and it's absolutely delicious.
I'm so happy [laughs].
(3:00)
After a sauna, you lose a lot of water, and you want salt, and you get really hungry. So I also ordered a hamburger steak (laughs). It's my second glass of Oropo (laughs).
Yum.
The hamburger steak is the side dish. Katsudon is the main dish (laughs).
Super hearty.
(3:44)
Well, I used to go to hot springs a lot, but when I went to hot springs, I just soaked in the tub, and I didn't like saunas at all, so I never thought I'd get into it this much. I didn't have many hobbies that I could use to rest and refresh my body, so I think it was really good for me to find a sauna. I go to the sauna in my free time so that I can rest and practice hard again, so I think the sauna gives me a very good cycle.
(0:32)
I think the attraction of a sauna is that you can get a sense of mental concentration, a sense that your mind is refreshed, a sense that your body is in order, and that is what makes a sauna so attractive. I think that is the attraction of saunas. I think my body needs a sauna during practice and after competitions when I have worked really hard and exhausted myself. I told myself that I would go to a sauna after working hard before the last Chubu Regionals. So I think I can do my best if I have a sauna as a reward.
(1:15)
I think a sauna is a place where you don't have to think about anything. It is not a place for healing, but a place where you can take care of yourself. Good night.
(1:46)
I could stay here all day.
(2:05)
Yummy!
I usually drink Oropo when I go to the sauna (laughs). It hits the spot. Oh, it's my favorite miso katsu. Miso katsu-don. Thanks for the food.
Yummy!
It's delicious when you mix it (soft boiled egg).
I break it, and it's absolutely delicious.
I'm so happy [laughs].
(3:00)
After a sauna, you lose a lot of water, and you want salt, and you get really hungry. So I also ordered a hamburger steak (laughs). It's my second glass of Oropo (laughs).
Yum.
The hamburger steak is the side dish. Katsudon is the main dish (laughs).
Super hearty.
(3:44)
Well, I used to go to hot springs a lot, but when I went to hot springs, I just soaked in the tub, and I didn't like saunas at all, so I never thought I'd get into it this much. I didn't have many hobbies that I could use to rest and refresh my body, so I think it was really good for me to find a sauna. I go to the sauna in my free time so that I can rest and practice hard again, so I think the sauna gives me a very good cycle.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
I guess Sota's on his way now, if not in Canada already. I hope he has a safe journey, stays healthy, and enjoys the competition! 
Here are some photos from Sota's Nagoya TV interview:
Also, they did a video where Yuhana as a host/reporter talks about Sota ^^ Here it is, and it's not geoblocked! https://youtu.be/WStTNT3ER0c?si=qPY3lBs4LheaMNqW Yuhana is very supportive of Sota
Nagoya TV is making me very happy for allowing foreigners to watch their content. The description below the video contains links to Sota's Chubu 2023 programs, which I recommend as they're much better than his Autumn Classic performances.
Two significant updates from what @rRainbow has kindly shared with me from Sota's latest Unlim online talk:
- Sota will have new costumes for both the short and the free, and fans will see them at SC for the first time. Fingers crossed that Chameleon costume is more colorful! I liked the Exogenesis costume, but am curious about Mrs Orihara's new creation
- Sota won't perform his lovely donut spin anytime soon. He has a serious shoulder injury that prevents him from performing it, and it looks like it will take a good while to heal. He's been practicing another spin in this one's place. Any falls on his healing shoulder could have bad consequences, so hoping for skates as clean as possible. Man, this will be hard to watch for me if he does fall... I already freak out seeing Sota fall (as in, really fall, not just have a big step out and such). Knowing this, I don't know if I'll have any fingernails left after SC 
Fingers crossed for his full recovery
Here are some photos from Sota's Nagoya TV interview:
Also, they did a video where Yuhana as a host/reporter talks about Sota ^^ Here it is, and it's not geoblocked! https://youtu.be/WStTNT3ER0c?si=qPY3lBs4LheaMNqW Yuhana is very supportive of Sota
Nagoya TV is making me very happy for allowing foreigners to watch their content. The description below the video contains links to Sota's Chubu 2023 programs, which I recommend as they're much better than his Autumn Classic performances.Two significant updates from what @rRainbow has kindly shared with me from Sota's latest Unlim online talk:
- Sota will have new costumes for both the short and the free, and fans will see them at SC for the first time. Fingers crossed that Chameleon costume is more colorful! I liked the Exogenesis costume, but am curious about Mrs Orihara's new creation
- Sota won't perform his lovely donut spin anytime soon. He has a serious shoulder injury that prevents him from performing it, and it looks like it will take a good while to heal. He's been practicing another spin in this one's place. Any falls on his healing shoulder could have bad consequences, so hoping for skates as clean as possible.
Man, this will be hard to watch for me if he does fall... I already freak out seeing Sota fall (as in, really fall, not just have a big step out and such). Knowing this, I don't know if I'll have any fingernails left after SC Fingers crossed for his full recovery
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
@surimi Thank you for this info. I know Sota is an adult and has most likely talked to a doctor before deciding to proceed with this competition, and that he is really looking forward to showcase 'Chamaleon' in Canada. However, I can't help but feel very anxious for him... Aaarrrggghh I really don't like seeing injured skaters competing. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for him, hopefully he'll be OK and not aggravate the injury
In better news, Sota did a joint interview with Kazuki for 25 Ans magazine! We can read the beginning of the interview here: https://www.25ans.jp/lifestyle/skate/g45621509/kazukisota-interview-231025/
In better news, Sota did a joint interview with Kazuki for 25 Ans magazine! We can read the beginning of the interview here: https://www.25ans.jp/lifestyle/skate/g45621509/kazukisota-interview-231025/
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Yup, staying healthy is the most important thing. In deep fields, injuries can be very unfortunate for skaters, and I'm glad and grateful that Sota's established among the top already. In the light of that, I'll be happy if Sota podiums, but I'll also be content if he's in the top 6 and gets invited to the gala because his Teeth deserves to be seen
Here's a photo of the Team Japan men in Canada:
I'm glad to have noticed several Sota fans from Japan are going to SC to support him. It'll do Sota good to see the familiar banners and hear their cheering.
Here's a photo of the Team Japan men in Canada:
I'm glad to have noticed several Sota fans from Japan are going to SC to support him. It'll do Sota good to see the familiar banners and hear their cheering.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Article about Sota's hopes for Skate Canada:
www.nikkansports.com
He hopes for the podium and to make the most of his training so far. He realizes his peak shape timing is off this year, and thinks that's a good thing.
Here's a video with commentary from Sota's Exogenesis practice: https://youtu.be/11AhbA14nxM?si=fA2yX_oMSHlrL18F
They praise Sota's effortless skating & jumps, and the choreo. I have to say it flowed great with the music! Fingers crossed for Sota's lv4 steps, he wants it and I hope he gets it!
Sota's opening 4S timing was not working in this practice, which happens to Sota at times (he was working on adusting its timing to make the entry shorter & blend better with the choreo, IIRC; and 4sal is not as secure as the 4toe for a healthy Sota). Some axel difficulties, too, but then, we know 3A is far from Sota's favorite jump, plus it's just practice, and Sota's been a bit nervous when in Canada so far, so no surprise, and he's actually doing very well so far. But, the 4T3T was really powerful and smooth!
Good luck today, Sota, rooting for you! May the 
s align for his SP and FS, & I really really want to see Sota in the gala
【フィギュア】山本草太、意図しない遅めピーキングに好感触「去年良かったものをつなげていく」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ
【バンクーバー（カナダ）＝阿部健吾】フィギュアスケートのグランプリ（GP）シリーズ第2戦スケートカナダの開幕を翌日に控えた26日（日本時間27日）、バンクーバ… - 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
Here's a video with commentary from Sota's Exogenesis practice: https://youtu.be/11AhbA14nxM?si=fA2yX_oMSHlrL18F
They praise Sota's effortless skating & jumps, and the choreo. I have to say it flowed great with the music! Fingers crossed for Sota's lv4 steps, he wants it and I hope he gets it!
Sota's opening 4S timing was not working in this practice, which happens to Sota at times (he was working on adusting its timing to make the entry shorter & blend better with the choreo, IIRC; and 4sal is not as secure as the 4toe for a healthy Sota). Some axel difficulties, too, but then, we know 3A is far from Sota's favorite jump, plus it's just practice, and Sota's been a bit nervous when in Canada so far, so no surprise, and he's actually doing very well so far. But, the 4T3T was really powerful and smooth!
Good luck today, Sota, rooting for you!
May the s align for his SP and FS, & I really really want to see Sota in the gala 
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Well done indeed, Sota! 
He didn't let that sense of heaviness or jetlag or whatever affect his performance, and delivered a solid skate. He was visibly nervous until the 3A, then performed the rest as best he could. It's such a great feeling to see Sota satisfied with his performance, grinning, and rewarded with cheering. The first spin was a temporary substitute for his usual donut spin due to Sota's ongoing injury; it was good to see he still managed to get lv3 for it. Good fight there! And the combo & axel looked great, I'm happy Sota landed them so securely.
Judges 6 and 7 are just weird... or North American or French. They gave Sota less than 8 for his skating skills, the one category in which he's IMO better than almost everyone in this field. Certainly so than Kao, to whom he lost on SS soundly (WTH). These two also gave higher SS marks to Wesley, Orzel and even Rakic for crying out loud... and in their opinion, Sota has the same SS as Gorodnitsky. They have their own agenda for sure...
I hope the skating gods let Sota have a medal. If he does, then I'll be seriously convinced it's the positive influence of having Kazuki with him. Ganbatte to both of them in the free! 
Sota's SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnizcPB0lBI&ab_channel=LuluBe
Image of Sota performing (how cool to see him perform with a smile!):
The new Chameleon costume is more transparent, but still black
I guess it's the color Sota feels the most comfortable in!
He didn't let that sense of heaviness or jetlag or whatever affect his performance, and delivered a solid skate. He was visibly nervous until the 3A, then performed the rest as best he could. It's such a great feeling to see Sota satisfied with his performance, grinning, and rewarded with cheering. The first spin was a temporary substitute for his usual donut spin due to Sota's ongoing injury; it was good to see he still managed to get lv3 for it. Good fight there! And the combo & axel looked great, I'm happy Sota landed them so securely.Judges 6 and 7 are just weird... or North American or French. They gave Sota less than 8 for his skating skills, the one category in which he's IMO better than almost everyone in this field. Certainly so than Kao, to whom he lost on SS soundly (WTH). These two also gave higher SS marks to Wesley, Orzel and even Rakic for crying out loud... and in their opinion, Sota has the same SS as Gorodnitsky. They have their own agenda for sure...
I hope the skating gods let Sota have a medal.
If he does, then I'll be seriously convinced it's the positive influence of having Kazuki with him. Ganbatte to both of them in the free! Sota's SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnizcPB0lBI&ab_channel=LuluBe
Image of Sota performing (how cool to see him perform with a smile!):
The new Chameleon costume is more transparent, but still black
I guess it's the color Sota feels the most comfortable in!
Last edited:
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Congrats, Sota! I'm really impressed he managed to pull everything together after injuries and a rough performance at ACI. I'm still not sold on 'Chamaleon' but I can't deny that he seems a lot more comfortable with it now, and maybe I shouldn't have been so negative 
Good luck in the free! He has a good chance now of winning his first GP ever
I'm really impressed he managed to pull everything together after injuries and a rough performance at ACI. I'm still not sold on 'Chamaleon' but I can't deny that he seems a lot more comfortable with it now, and maybe I shouldn't have been so negative Good luck in the free! He has a good chance now of winning his first GP ever
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Congrats, Sota!
Good luck in the free! He has a good chance now of winning his first GP ever
I don't know if it makes me a bad fan, but I wish Sota had skated to something like Teeth in the SP, and that Kazuki had picked an 1980s rock tune and kept that choreo
I know both boys look comfortable with their songs by now, so just a personal music preference Now I want Sota to adopt Daiki Hashimoto's (WC in gymnastics) method of dealing with pressure - no watching one's rivals or listening to their marks, but staying huddled in his jacket, and focusing on his performance only.
humm, I do think Sota won't be at ease skating last, and Jun is close behind, with Kao and Kazuki in their revenge mode. Sota usually does best when he's in his revenge mode, too (except for Nationals). TBH I'm just hoping he medals, although I'd love for him to win a GP after years of trying.
Really praying for a medal now, especially because of the gala, lol. The whole world deserves to see 'Teeth'.
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
I'm glad Sota had a good skate yesterday. He's in a different position skating last so I hope the prep for this is a success!
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Wow, Sota! Congrats on the victory, I'm super impressed he managed to do so well considering the injury! What a boost of confidence - upwards and onwards into Cup of China and GPF 
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Sota's first GP victory! 
After several years of not having all that great GP outings, and last year's fantastic success, he's finally done it! I'll come back with the usual articles, videos, news etc., but at the moment, I'm just very, very happy. I don't know if he makes it to GPF this year (which, with Fa and Shoma in China, would have to involve beating Kazuki to get the bronze, and that just breaks my heart because I'm rooting for them both, and I don't want to choose one or the other). But what I know is that Sota's just passed an important milestone in his career. He's really a late bloomer, and so is Kazuki! Both delivering their best skates past the age of 20. 
You know, folk might go on about how this was a weaker event than USA, how it was because of favorites making big mistakes or whatever - but just the fact that a boy with a triple ankle fracture wins a GP, that's something very memorable, and shows all seriously injured skaters that yes, you can always rebound, with hard work, perseverance, and a bit of luck in terms of health, coaching and other circumstancs beyond one's control.
Now, I'm just looking forward to Teeth! 
I'm going to stay awake past mindnight for that. I'm probably going to regret the lack of sleep in the morning, but this is a special ocassion and deserves staying up late. 
After several years of not having all that great GP outings, and last year's fantastic success, he's finally done it! I'll come back with the usual articles, videos, news etc., but at the moment, I'm just very, very happy. I don't know if he makes it to GPF this year (which, with Fa and Shoma in China, would have to involve beating Kazuki to get the bronze, and that just breaks my heart because I'm rooting for them both, and I don't want to choose one or the other). But what I know is that Sota's just passed an important milestone in his career. He's really a late bloomer, and so is Kazuki! Both delivering their best skates past the age of 20. You know, folk might go on about how this was a weaker event than USA, how it was because of favorites making big mistakes or whatever - but just the fact that a boy with a triple ankle fracture wins a GP, that's something very memorable, and shows all seriously injured skaters that yes, you can always rebound, with hard work, perseverance, and a bit of luck in terms of health, coaching and other circumstancs beyond one's control.
Now, I'm just looking forward to Teeth!
I'm going to stay awake past mindnight for that. I'm probably going to regret the lack of sleep in the morning, but this is a special ocassion and deserves staying up late.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Teeth was just as awesome as I hoped it would be. I like seeing Sota so happy. It's such a fun and well-chosen program for him!
Borrowing this one from the Kazuki fan account because it's so wholesome:
I've added a link to Teeth (on Twitter so far, until someone uploads it on YT) to the OP (and protocols as well - congrats on lv4 spins!).
A really nice video by Nagoya TV, comprising the SP and FS, a brief interview, and also Rino's skates and interview: https://youtu.be/v4LG5dbNq3E?si=p8f052NSEwezKVuH
Regarding the video above, it's really the only thing that mars my joy about Sota's victory: how unique it is in actually praising Sota for something. Otherwise, my country's two female commentators, and most GS users in the Edge, posted such negative, dismissive and what-about-ish stuff about him, it's really unbelievable. Even Mark's commentary in the Chameleon video that I have just found on Youtube, just praised Sota's jumps a bit, as if nothing else about him is worth mentioning, and kept bringing up the bad skate that he had had in Canada in September, and how his jumps are under review, and how much it may cost him.
So disappointing to see the criticism hurled at Sota the moment he's successful. He got more praise when he was not winning medals... If this is how it is, I yearn for streams without commentators, and I swear I'll never set foot in certain threads here again. That's just setting myself up for disappointment because Sota will apparently never be good enough some vocal people's eyes, and the better he does, the more they'll ignore the good stuff, and harp on his perceived or real flaws. Well. I'm glad Sota doesn't speak English too well, and likely doesn't have time to read those posts, and listen to that commentary either.
Some further finds:
- Exogenesis practice: https://youtu.be/11AhbA14nxM?si=1c0sPCUux9UxZlr5
- the last photo here is so touching, I think Sota and his coach had had no idea the combined score would be enough to keep him in the lead, and I think there were a few tears there when they realized it's happening:
- Sota has fulfilled his goal for this season - to win a GP event.
- Sota keeping close to Kazuki before the gala finale: https://twitter.com/omuogn/status/1718857972494016869/photo/2
- Sota with fans after the gala: https://twitter.com/Junko99998120/status/1718889270856073685
Borrowing this one from the Kazuki fan account because it's so wholesome:
I've added a link to Teeth (on Twitter so far, until someone uploads it on YT) to the OP (and protocols as well - congrats on lv4 spins!).
A really nice video by Nagoya TV, comprising the SP and FS, a brief interview, and also Rino's skates and interview: https://youtu.be/v4LG5dbNq3E?si=p8f052NSEwezKVuH
Regarding the video above, it's really the only thing that mars my joy about Sota's victory: how unique it is in actually praising Sota for something. Otherwise, my country's two female commentators, and most GS users in the Edge, posted such negative, dismissive and what-about-ish stuff about him, it's really unbelievable. Even Mark's commentary in the Chameleon video that I have just found on Youtube, just praised Sota's jumps a bit, as if nothing else about him is worth mentioning, and kept bringing up the bad skate that he had had in Canada in September, and how his jumps are under review, and how much it may cost him.
So disappointing to see the criticism hurled at Sota the moment he's successful. He got more praise when he was not winning medals... If this is how it is, I yearn for streams without commentators, and I swear I'll never set foot in certain threads here again. That's just setting myself up for disappointment because Sota will apparently never be good enough some vocal people's eyes, and the better he does, the more they'll ignore the good stuff, and harp on his perceived or real flaws. Well. I'm glad Sota doesn't speak English too well, and likely doesn't have time to read those posts, and listen to that commentary either.
Some further finds:
- Exogenesis practice: https://youtu.be/11AhbA14nxM?si=1c0sPCUux9UxZlr5
- the last photo here is so touching, I think Sota and his coach had had no idea the combined score would be enough to keep him in the lead, and I think there were a few tears there when they realized it's happening:
- Sota has fulfilled his goal for this season - to win a GP event.
- Sota keeping close to Kazuki before the gala finale: https://twitter.com/omuogn/status/1718857972494016869/photo/2
- Sota with fans after the gala: https://twitter.com/Junko99998120/status/1718889270856073685
