Sota Yamamoto | Golden Skate

Sota Yamamoto

surimi

Onward and forward, Sota!
Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
YAMAMOTO Sōta (Kana: やまもと そうた; Kanji: 山本 草太) is a Men’s Singles skater who represents Japan. He was born on 10th January 2000 in Kishiwada, Ōsaka, Japan.

He is a two-time Junior Grand Prix Final medalist (silver in 2014, bronze in 2015), 2015 Junior World Championships bronze medalist, 2016 Youth Olympic Games gold medalist, 2018 CS Asian Open Trophy and 2021 CS Warsaw Cup gold medalist, and 2019 CS US Classic and 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy silver medalist. He has three silver medals from 2022 Grand Prix series - from GP France, NHK Trophy, and GP Final. He won the 2023 Winter Universiade, and the 2023 GP Skate Canada. His best Japan Championships placement so far is 3rd in 2023.

He's coached by Machiko Yamada and Yuko Hongō, and trains at Chukyo University rink and Osu/Tokai Club. In the past he was coached by Yasunori Onishi (pre-2012, and first half of 2020-21 season), Hiroshi Nagakubo (2012-2016), Yoriko Naruse and Miho Kawaume (2012-2020). In early 2020 he was briefly coached by Yuusuke Hayashi, and in 2021-22 season his coaching team was Machiko Yamada and Mihoko Higuchi.


Biographical Info

ISU Bio:
http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00013831.htm

Federation Bio:
https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/figure/player/detail.php?id=kFttigayOgY=

Rink Results Bio:
http://www.rinkresults.com/skater?skater_id=724

Tracings Bio:
http://tracings.net/yama-sota.html

Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sōta_Yamamoto


Social Media

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sota0110/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/so_ta0110


Personal Best Scores

ISU Personal Best Scores for Sota Yamamoto:

http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_pb_00013831.htm

Type
Score
Event
Personal Best Total Score274.35Grand Prix Final 2022
Personal Best Score Short Program96.49GP NHK Trophy 2022
Personal Best Score Free Skating179.49Grand Prix Final 2022


Competition History and Videos
2023-2024

SP: Chameleon by Maynard Ferguson, choreo by David Wilson
FS: Exogenesis Part III by Muse, choreo by Kenji Miyamoto
Gala: Teeth by 5 Seconds of Summer, choreo by Misao Sato

CompetitionSP scoreSP rankFS scoreFS rankOverall scoreOverall rank
2023 Gensan Summer Cup91.981145.423237.403
2023 CS Autumn Classic70.397160.843231.234
2023 Chubu regionals95.281177.861273.141
2023 GP Skate Canada89.561168.863258.421 , gala
2023 GP Cup of China75.488170.105245.586 , gala
2023 Japanese Nationals94.582192.423287.003 , gala
2023 Four Continents Championships94.444168.994263.434 , gala

2022-2023
SP: Yesterday by The Beatles, performed by Michael Bolton (keeps his last season's program). Choreo by Mihoko Higuchi
FS: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Choreo by Akiko Suzuki
Gala: Poeta by Vicente Amigo (Sota's 2015/16 SP). Choreo by Kenji Miyamoto

CompetitionSP scoreSP rankFS scoreFS rankOverall scoreOverall rank
2022 Minato Trophy89.681181.731271.411
2022 Gensan Summer Cup95.151168.691263.841
2022 Chubu regionals94.121159.681253.801
2022 Grand Prix de France92.421165.483257.902 , gala
2022 GP NHK Trophy96.491161.366257.852 , gala
2022 Grand Prix Final94.862179.492274.352 , gala
2022 Japanese Nationals86.893158.527245.415 , gala
2023 Winter Universiade101.321173.541274.861 , gala
2023 Kokutai82.122152.083234.202
2023 Challenge Cup84.722160.892245.612
2023 World Championships75.4817156.9115232.3915


2021-2022
SP: Yesterday by Michael Bolton, choreo by Mihoko Higuchi.
FS: Io Ci Saro, choreo by Mihoko Higuchi
Gala: You're Beautiful by James Blunt
CompetitionSP scoreSP rankFS scoreFS rankOverall scoreOverall rank
2021 Chubu regionals81.711150.021231.731
2021 Japan Open--156.134156.134, gala, ceremony
2021 GP Skate Canada78.787146.968225.747 , gala
2021 GP NHK Trophy86.055152.858238.907
2021 Warsaw Cup91.751155.903247.651 , ceremony
2021 Japanese Nationals93.794146.3912240.188
2022 Intercollege championship--153.101153.101
2022 Kokutai89.341152.251241.591
2022 Challenge Cup90.251147.513237.763


2020-21

SP: Dark Eyes. Choreo by Kenji Miyamoto
LP: Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story by Randy Edelman. Choreo by Kenji Miyamoto

CompetitionSP scoreSP rankFS scoreFS rankOverall scoreOverall rank
2020 Chubu regionals80.771139.351220.121
2020 Japan Open (FS-only event)--137.972--
2020 West Japan sectionals77.072144.151221.221
2020 GP NHK Trophy62.389127.817190.198
2020 Japanese Nationals82.606134.749217.349
2021 Kokutai (Japan Athletic Meet)43.3818127.102170.488

2019-2020
SP: East of Eden by Lee Holdridge. Choreo by Pasquale Camerlengo
FS: In This Shirt by The Irrepressibles. Choreo by Pasquale Camerlengo
Gala: You're Beautiful by James Blunt

CompetitionSP scoreSP rankFS scoreFS rankTotal scoreTotal rank
2019 Gensan Summer Cup67.502140.182207.682
2019 US Classic82.883157.232240.112
2019 Finlandia Trophy92.811130.436223.242, victory ceremony
2019 GP NHK Trophy74.887151.395226.276, gala
2019 Japanese Nationals68.16, interview13152.33, interview7220.497

2018-2019

SP: Air on the G-string by J.S. Bach. Choreo by Kenji Miyamoto
FS: Nobunaga Concerto by Taku Takahashi. Choreo by Kenji Miyamoto
Gala: Anthem from 'Chess' performed by Josh Groban


-3/+3 GOE system:

2017-2018
SP: Anthem from 'Chess' performed by Josh Groban
FS: Jekyll and Hyde
Gala: Love Theme by Joseph Calleja (from New Cinema Paradiso)
CompetitionSP scoreSP rankFS scoreFS rankTotal scoreTotal rank
2017 Chubu regionals33.05476.014109.064
2017 West Japan sectionals62.244132.945195.185
2017 Japanese Nationals72.888135.3910208.279
2018 Coupe du Printemps69.046128.775197.815 , gala

2015-2016

SP: Poeta by Vicente Amigo. Choreo by Kenji Miyamoto
FS: Piano Concerto No. 1 by P.I. Tchaikovsky. Choreo by Kenji Miyamoto
Gala: Love Theme by Joseph Calleja (from New Cinema Paradiso)

CompetitionSP scoreSP rankFS scoreFS rankTotal scoreTotal rank
2015 JGP Colorado Springs65.112138.573203.683
2015 JGP Copernicus Stars75.161157.261232.421
2015 West Japan Junior sectionals63.771139.821203.591
2015 Japanese Junior Nationals70.421142.981213.401
2015 JGP Final72.853132.464205.313
2015 Japanese Nationals62.9211152.235215.156 , gala
2016 Youth Olympic Games73.071142.453215.521

2014-2015

SP: Piano Concerto by Sergei Rachmaninov. Choreo by Yuko Hongo
FS: Lorelei by Raul di Blasio. Choreo by Yuko Hongo


2013-2014

SP: Tenchijin by Michiru Oshima. Choreo by Yuko Hongo
FS: Lorelei by Raul di Blasio. Choreo by Yuko Hongo

CompetitionSP scoreSP rankFS scoreFS rankTotal scoreTotal rank
2013 JGP Riga Cup56.1511100.0812156.2311
2013 Chubu Junior regionals59.112111.582170.692
2013 West Japan Junior sectionals53.615119.923173.533
2013 Japanese Junior Championships62.283103.8210166.105
2013 Japanese Championships65.9011104.7219170.6214
2014 Coupe du Printemps (junior)65.241112.711177.951

2012-2013

FS: 'Dragon - The Bruce Lee Story' soundtrack by Randy Edelman

CompetitionSP scoreSP rankFS scoreFS rankTotal scoreTotal rank
2012 Asian FS Trophy (advanced novice)39.78 , photos172.042111.822 , interview
2012 Kinki regionals (advanced novice)--76.06276.062
2012 Japanese Novice Championships--95.51195.511
2012 Japanese Junior Championships47.3211112.294159.614
2013 Triglav Trophy (advanced novice)45.20176.491121.691

2011-2012

CompetitionSP scoreSP rankFS scoreFS rankTotal scoreTotal rank
2011 Asian FS Trophy (advanced novice)39.48144.20383.682
2011 Kinki regionals (advanced novice)--90.28290.282
2011 Japanese Novice Championships--90.88290.882
2011 Japanese Junior Championships41.621490.9810132.6011
2012 Triglav Trophy (novice)42.00169.411111.411 , podium , photos



Ice Show Videos

EventProgram
Stars On Ice 2021Anthem
Prince Ice World 2019You're Beautiful by James Blunt
Nagoya Figure Skating Festival 2016Poeta by Vincente Amigo
Dreams on Ice 2015Poeta by Vincente Amigo
The ICE 2014Piano Concerto by Sergei Rachmaninov
World Team Trophy Gala 2013Thunderbirds by Barry Gray


Videos of other competitions

2017 Chubu Regionals
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x64kmbu

2014 Junior High School Championships
SP highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dS7wSRT5Ng&t=39s
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi2C0ZvWnrM


Articles and Interviews

Mi-Mollet interview (August 2022) - about Sota's evolution from Nationals 2021 to his hopes for Milan OG (in Japanese)

Interview collection on Sota’s recovery - December 18, 2017
https://www.walkerplus.com/article/131458/
(in Japanese)

Yamamoto chosen as JOC's "Next Symbol Athlete" - March 29, 2016
http://www.joc.or.jp/news/detail.html?id=7334
Translation

Sota Yamamoto: broken ankle - March 14, 2016
https://web.archive.org/web/20160313003924/http://jwc2016debrecen.hu/en/sota-yamamoto-broken-ankle/

Interview after JGP Colorado Springs - October 15/16, 2015
Part 1: http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/column/detail/201510130004-spnavi
Translation
Part 2: http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/column/detail/201510130006-spnavi
Translation

Sota Yamamoto sets sights on Junior World title - August 29, 2015
http://www.goldenskate.com/2015/08/sota-yamamoto/

Pigeon Post - Team Nagakubo interview after 2015 Summer Cup - August 9/10, 2015
http://pigeon-post.net/interviews/2015SummerCup_teamNAGAKUBO.html
Translation

Costume designer for Poeta and Piano Concerto (2015-2016)
http://www.mu-costume.com/profile-mucostume.html

Shoma and Sota on the cover of World Figure Skating Magazine NEXT (Special Edition) - April 2015
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71ISohQt5XL.jpg

Other miscellaneous info. & videos
Sota's graduation ceremony:

Rinkai Sports Center competition event (fall 2020) - 'Dark Eyes' in old Poeta costume

The only known video where we see a glimpse of Sota's high school life and baby pics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtCHOwq8Ayo

NHK 2019 press conference, Sota forgets what the question was (what he admires about Yuzuru), is helped by Koshiro and Yuzuru :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0IGIojO-SA

Sota getting choreography in the US (in Japanese)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=577qF0W-ZCc

Talkshow with Shizuka Arakawa (spring 2019), about school and skating (with English subtitles!):
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Sota's post-injury comeback story in Japanese:
https://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x6xdk2h (translated on the bottom of p.20 of this fanfest)

'High Five on Ice' program (in Japanese, up to Nationals 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf-T2IE5d6Y

'Midori's Room' - fun question/answer segment after NHK 2018, starring Sota, Shoma and Hiroaki
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wx_WX2S-Og

'Kenji's Room' talkshow (pre-2018/19 season. All 3 in Japanese, translations are on p.19 of this fanfest)
part 1 - https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6tgpmq
part 2 - https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6tt265
part 3 - https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6u8uzi

Sota getting lessons from Nobunari Oda (2011)
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSqW2erO5lY
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlQYLm17XyA

Sota's journey up to Grand Prix Final 2022 (in Japanese, by Nagoya TV):
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQEvCGbRE6w&t=11s
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Ik7JMSLdI&t=6s
 
Last edited:

Maria Victoria

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 10, 2014
Are there any Sota fan here?

Sota Yamamoto 2015 Worlds Jr Bronze medalist. Congrats!

I am. :) I think Sota has a large upside and showed at Jr. Worlds that he could be steady when others had faltered. He also appears to have quite a personality; there is so much "boy" in him. He has been often compared to his idol Yuzuru, and it is not hard for me to see why. And from a video I saw, the link of which I had posted in the TJ fanfest thread, he has already landed a quad in practice. Just turned 15 btw two months ago.
 

Caustica

Final Flight
Joined
Feb 9, 2014
I like him too! First noticed him on the JGP circuit this season. He and Shoma are so adorable together.
 

Caustica

Final Flight
Joined
Feb 9, 2014
I thought his EX today was very nice! Link The spread-eagle bit was just like Yuzuru's SP hahah.
 

juuryokunashi

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 12, 2014
Just when I thought my stanning of Team Japan junior men would (and should) stop with Shoma, Sota comes along. ~_~ I love the kid.

I however can't wait for the time when he gets out of the 'he's just like Yuzuru' comparisons because I believe he'll be able to develop his own skating style and technique, especially now that he's getting more media attention, and, more than likely, better funding from the JSF due to his showing this season.
 
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Interspectator

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Just when I thought my stanning of Team Japan junior men would (and should) stop with Shoma, Sota comes along. ~_~ I love the kid.

I do however can't wait for the time when he gets out of the 'he's just like Yuzuru' comparisons because I believe he'll be able to develop his own skating style and technique, especially now that he's getting more media attention, and, more than likely, better funding from the JSF due to his showing this season.

He gets the comparison (as Shoma does with Daisuke) because of he is such fan-boy. Which is very cute.
But yes, I actually see him going along a different path in his skating. I like his cheeriness. I like his speed. :yes:
 

HanDomi

Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 27, 2014
Kurt in CBC said that Sota jumped to Yuzuru's closet and took one of his costumes :laugh2: :laugh2:

I really , really enjoyed Sota exhibition program. I see a lot potential in him. Let's wait and see when he will get quad in competition.
 

Becki

Medalist
Joined
Nov 28, 2011
Sota does remind me of Yuzuru! I see a future World Champion in him too, along with Shoma :p
 

Rissa

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 11, 2014
I think he needs to project more and also some better choreography (and costumes)

I like his costumes. This sort of costumes is why I love watching figure skating. Normal rules don't apply, and he does look good in them. :)

He's so very young but enjoyable to watch. I hope he'll keep improving and realize all that potential.
 
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Crossover

All Hail the Queen
Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 31, 2014
While I hardly regard myself as a fan of Sota yet, I think you would ejony this gif which I think is one of the funniest moments in the Junior World Championships 2015.

Sota can join to a boy band :biggrin:
 

juuryokunashi

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 12, 2014
I remember Machiko Yamada did the commentary for Nagoya fs festival last year which Sota was part of, and she said that he actually has more potential than Yuzuru at the same age.

I actually agree--not putting Yuzuru down, but he won gold at Jr Worlds when he was 15, but only after 2 tries. This is Sota's first Jr Worlds outing, and he got bronze. Also considering the depth and progression of figure skating these days, it's easy to see that the younger generations will more than likely exceed the achievements of their predecessors.

Back to Sota, though: from an interview/special feature on TV I gleaned that he wants to 'perfect' his 3A first before putting quads in his programs? Suffice to say I just want all the best for Sota (and Shoma) considering the hype that's been built up around them by the Japanese media.
 

matmuh

what are levels anyway
Record Breaker
Joined
May 2, 2014
I actually agree--not putting Yuzuru down, but he won gold at Jr Worlds when he was 15, but only after 2 tries. This is Sota's first Jr Worlds outing, and he got bronze. Also considering the depth and progression of figure skating these days, it's easy to see that the younger generations will more than likely exceed the achievements of their predecessors.

Back to Sota, though: from an interview/special feature on TV I gleaned that he wants to 'perfect' his 3A first before putting quads in his programs? Suffice to say I just want all the best for Sota (and Shoma) considering the hype that's been built up around them by the Japanese media.

to be fair, when yuzuru attended his 1st junior worlds he was just 14 (just turned 14 at december) and when he won he was same age as Sota now and he was much more expressive than sota . successes of older generations encourages younger generations to raise the bar set before them. not saying this to put sota down, i enjoy him even though he has many weaknesses aside from jump :laugh: good luck to him for the next season and for the rest of his career :cheer:
 

Rissa

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 11, 2014
Sota seems eligible for senior circuit now. With all the comparisons to Yuzuru, it makes me wonder if he'll switch to adult so soon as well. Probably not, though, since there are still junior titles for him to be won, although Jin Boyang is not going to make winning them easy.
 

Plumededragon

Medalist
Joined
Feb 12, 2015
Sota seems eligible for senior circuit now. With all the comparisons to Yuzuru, it makes me wonder if he'll switch to adult so soon as well. Probably not, though, since there are still junior titles for him to be won, although Jin Boyang is not going to make winning them easy.
According to the info, unlike Shoma, Sota is staying in the Junior circuit for one more year. A right choice, I think. And you're right, Jin will not make things easy for him, and thanks goodness for that. To have high-skilled rivals is one of the best ways to motivate yourself and make progress. :yes:
 

matmuh

what are levels anyway
Record Breaker
Joined
May 2, 2014
boyang is 17 already, i would be surprised if he doesnt turn senior next year :scratch: but you never know :laugh: but regardless of boyang sota is gonna have enough rivals
 
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