Asked about his admiration for Yuzuru, Sota stumbled as he spoke at NHK Trophy press conference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLJF3rdLXr0&feature=youtu.be
13:03 ~
Question to Sota: You have been saying that you look up to Hanyu senshu. This is your first time you compete with him on the senior stage. Tell us how you feel about it and what do you want to learn from him. I would like to hear Hanyu senshu’s response as well, if he doesn’t mind.
13:39~
Sota: Well…He is indeed the skater I admire and umm, let me see…everything…ah, what was the question? [everyone laughing] umm…what should I say…hmmm, let me see…eh, if I started, the list would go on and on [laughs]…ummm…huh? Only one? Well, he can deliver clean and in fact perfect performances in competition. I think it is really hard to skate clean with his layout, and in order to do that consistently in every competition he must have really put in tremendous effort. I want to work hard to get closer to that level even just a little bit. I am not at all up to the level where he competes, but he is my goal and I look up to him. (Sota smiles and looks at Yuzuru.)
Yuzuru responded (in summary): There are things you learn from competing as senior, such as how hard it is to skate your best in competition, and how far behind you are at the world level. Please take what you learn and practice hard. Good luck with your skate.
13:03 ~
Question to Sota: You have been saying that you look up to Hanyu senshu. This is your first time you compete with him on the senior stage. Tell us how you feel about it and what do you want to learn from him. I would like to hear Hanyu senshu’s response as well, if he doesn’t mind.
13:39~
Sota: Well…He is indeed the skater I admire and umm, let me see…everything…ah, what was the question? [everyone laughing] umm…what should I say…hmmm, let me see…eh, if I started, the list would go on and on [laughs]…ummm…huh? Only one? Well, he can deliver clean and in fact perfect performances in competition. I think it is really hard to skate clean with his layout, and in order to do that consistently in every competition he must have really put in tremendous effort. I want to work hard to get closer to that level even just a little bit. I am not at all up to the level where he competes, but he is my goal and I look up to him. (Sota smiles and looks at Yuzuru.)
Yuzuru responded (in summary): There are things you learn from competing as senior, such as how hard it is to skate your best in competition, and how far behind you are at the world level. Please take what you learn and practice hard. Good luck with your skate.