Sota Yamamoto | Page 34 | Golden Skate

Sota Yamamoto

rRainbow

On the Ice
Joined
Oct 22, 2018
Country
Japan
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.
 

surimi

Onward and forward, Sota!
Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
Thanks a bunch, Rainbow!

Sota skates his SP as 4th tomorrow.
Sota has practiced already, and I've found some good photos online:
- look how warmly Yuzuru is watching Sota here! https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJ43Q0BU8AYYhtC.jpg
- practice photos https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJ4ZIRMUYAAJTAh.jpg , https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJ4hrSbVAAAKrY4.jpg , https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJ4hrScUwAAscqb.jpg
- on his way to practice (I guess) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJ5d904VUAE4h5n.jpg
- Sota, Yuzuru and Koshiro posing: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJ4YtQaU8AEdy9C.jpg , https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/1197459374127505409/TjqDFqB6? , https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJ5drOMVUAALFHI.jpgformat=jpg&name=600x314

Good luck, Sota! Wishing you stable jumps and confidence. May your wishes come true here and at Nats.
 

surimi

Onward and forward, Sota!
Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
Sota fans, please share any news and videos. Our TV is not airing men SP, like, at all :_[ Good luck to Sota!
 

Gabby30

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 8, 2019
A pop costet him a place on the podium. I don't know what to say. At this point i don't believe he will ever show his full potential, not as long as he keeps popping jumps :disapp:
 

surimi

Onward and forward, Sota!
Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
My my, look who's short of faith and all sorts of doom and gloom now... all I have to say is LOL.
-----

I'm sad for Sota, he skated similarly to US Classic where he popped the same jump, but this panel liked him less and there was also that hard fought for landing for that 3A, resulting in about 8 points lower score than US Classic. That cost him a lot, otherwise he could have been in top 6 again. I'm sure no one's more kuyashii about losing to Koshiro with 2 falls than Sota himself. I hope his coach's words in the KnC (I believe she said he'd do his best in the FP) bring him a healthy amount of fire and confidence. That's the only thing he needs now. He's naturally sensitive, still a teenager, and still trying to deal with events of big importance. There's a pattern to his worse performances of late, and what they have in common is that they're on Japanese soil where he apparently feels the pressure the most. Like Hanyu said to him, only competing and keeping up the hard work will teach him consistency. And consistency is what he needs to get in the judges' good books. Good luck in the free, Sota!
The bad thing about him in group 1 for tomorrow, is that he'll likely get lower PCS no matter what he does. The good thing should be that he won't feel the pressure so keenly and that he can concentrate on himself rather than be distracted by Yuzuru.
 

surimi

Onward and forward, Sota!
Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
Good luck to Sota today! I cannot find the stream so it looks like our TV isn't airing men live, not even online. He skates as 5th, after Jason. Good luck, and please don't be nervous Sota!
 

Gabby30

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 8, 2019
My my, look who's short of faith and all sorts of doom and gloom now... all I have to say is LOL.
-----

I'm sad for Sota, he skated similarly to US Classic where he popped the same jump, but this panel liked him less and there was also that hard fought for landing for that 3A, resulting in about 8 points lower score than US Classic. That cost him a lot, otherwise he could have been in top 6 again. I'm sure no one's more kuyashii about losing to Koshiro with 2 falls than Sota himself. I hope his coach's words in the KnC (I believe she said he'd do his best in the FP) bring him a healthy amount of fire and confidence. That's the only thing he needs now. He's naturally sensitive, still a teenager, and still trying to deal with events of big importance. There's a pattern to his worse performances of late, and what they have in common is that they're on Japanese soil where he apparently feels the pressure the most. Like Hanyu said to him, only competing and keeping up the hard work will teach him consistency. And consistency is what he needs to get in the judges' good books. Good luck in the free, Sota!
The bad thing about him in group 1 for tomorrow, is that he'll likely get lower PCS no matter what he does. The good thing should be that he won't feel the pressure so keenly and that he can concentrate on himself rather than be distracted by



Yeah, it's frustrating that someone who has it all can't show it. How should people see his potential if he isn't showing it? There's nothing to LOL about, it's sad. You should be careful with how you treat real feelings of real humans because you never know in what mental state someone is.

But funny that someone who claimed his programs wont be memorable before they were even choreographed is talking about faith....
 

Gabby30

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 8, 2019
Same place as last year...it seems that all the quads bring him nowhere. He should do it with an easier layout, because right now, he is being beaten by weaker skaters, it just can't be.

This all makes me angry because, do you really think with that ankle of his, he is going to have a long career? He has to deliver here and now, who knows how many chances he is going to have until he has to retire
 

surimi

Onward and forward, Sota!
Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
Congrats on the 6th place repeat, Sota! I hope he can use this as a stepping stone to build his confidence further. Ignatov and Koshiro are worthy opponents, and especially winning over Koshiro is important, with Nats coming up in a month.
I hope he can now sort out with his coaches the safest strategy for Nats, one that would allow him breathing room for lv4 spins and steps. He has done well so far - not super impressive in terms of results on the biggest stage maybe, but adding 5 quads in his programs when he had zero last year, is a big achievement. Now to smooth up the programs and his nerves, so that consistency and marks would come.
You'll notice guys how he's close to the most important names in the last gala group. I am thinking that's a good sign of how Sota is regarded by his Fed.
The gala is at like 5 AM for me so I'll be prowling the internet tomorrow in search of a video. I don't love that song but it's Sota. =_=

------------

Yeah, it's frustrating that someone who has it all can't show it. How should people see his potential if he isn't showing it? There's nothing to LOL about, it's sad. You should be careful with how you treat real feelings of real humans because you never know in what mental state someone is.

But funny that someone who claimed his programs wont be memorable before they were even choreographed is talking about faith....

Don't you worry about Sota's psyche. He's a smart boy and if he happens to stumble upon this thread, I'm sure he'll have no problems realizing who and what exactly the LOL is directed at.
Maybe read properly before you start attacking people, I never wrote the 'memorable' comment in the snotty self-assured way you report.
One thing I can agree with you on, is that it could be a good idea to take out one quad because the toll is too much, and his spins in particular suffer.
Having said that, I am done interacting with you here. I find your constant negativity towards other users, skaters and even Sota himself, quite tiresome.

---------------

Some recent Sota videos I have harvested:
- a bit of the fun interview before NHK where Sota struggles to find words for his admiration for Hanyu-kun, accompanied by background commentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0IGIojO-SA
- FS: from ISU stream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIv3mQCk8SA , Russian commentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCkj6KffF08&t=6s , Italian commentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7gC52mPfUI , Spanish commentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_W3aPk0r4M
- SP: from a Japanese TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPZ33lOAC2A , Spanish commentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4USNUUght4
 

KiraraChin

Medalist
Joined
May 5, 2018
Yeah, it's frustrating that someone who has it all can't show it. How should people see his potential if he isn't showing it? There's nothing to LOL about, it's sad. You should be careful with how you treat real feelings of real humans because you never know in what mental state someone is.

But funny that someone who claimed his programs wont be memorable before they were even choreographed is talking about faith....

I'm pretty sure Surimi wasn't laughing at Sota's situation, she made a self-deprecating joke (do you understand what this is?) and was LOL'ing at herself for being all doom and gloom after the SP. It happens, and as much as we believe in our faves, we're all humans.
I also don't remember her ever saying the programmes wouldn't be memorable? She said the music choices would draw comparisons, that's quite a different thing. Please stop being so aggressive, there's no need for that. We're all fans here.

xxx

I'm glad Sota performed his FS better than the SP, although I also wonder if it would be a good idea to remove one quad from his FS layout so he can have stamina to pull off the other elements. It's just such a shame to see a skater like him get mostly level 3 for spins and steps!
 

surimi

Onward and forward, Sota!
Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
I'm pretty sure Surimi wasn't laughing at Sota's situation, she made a self-deprecating joke (do you understand what this is?) and was LOL'ing at herself for being all doom and gloom after the SP. It happens, and as much as we believe in our faves, we're all humans.
I also don't remember her ever saying the programmes wouldn't be memorable? She said the music choices would draw comparisons, that's quite a different thing. Please stop being so aggressive, there's no need for that. We're all fans here.

xxx

I'm glad Sota performed his FS better than the SP, although I also wonder if it would be a good idea to remove one quad from his FS layout so he can have stamina to pull off the other elements. It's just such a shame to see a skater like him get mostly level 3 for spins and steps!

Thank you for standing up for me, but I feel I should probably clarify my earlier post. Quite honestly, my laughter acronym wasn't directed at myself, but at that particular user's double standards.
Anyhow, I am so over that conversation now, let's focus on something positive, which is Sota news.
- Here are links to post-NHK articles in Japanese, featuring Sota's reflections: https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20191124-00000206-spnannex-spo and https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20191124-00000080-dal-spo It seems he wants to focus on his spin and step levels before Nationals, and wants to work on having less hesitant jumps. Hanyu was a big inspiration for him. Corrections welcome...
- it seems there was an interview of Sota, Koshiro and Jason in one of the gala breaks, done by Shizuka Arakawa, and they talked of fun things. But I have only seen a few brief tweets, so no idea how the interview went
- Sota's gala to You're Beautiful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e-2rVuOey8 (no commentary, low quality), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3ofwjk4AC0 (Russian commentary). It may be just me, but he seems to be really into expressing more with his entire body, some of his new poses look really really nice. And naturally, his spread eagles are always a crowd pleaser. ^ ^ So nice to see him grin during a performance: https://hochi.news/images/2019/11/24/20191124-OHT1I50065-L.jpg
 

sallyhatchet

Rinkside
Joined
Feb 26, 2018
Just wanted to say how much I'm loving Sota this season! You can usually find me over in the Shoma thread but I will also be checking in on this thread and cheering for Sota as well from now on. I was not aware of him prior to this season, so I will have to go back and look for some past programs.
 

KiraraChin

Medalist
Joined
May 5, 2018
Thank you for standing up for me, but I feel I should probably clarify my earlier post. Quite honestly, my laughter acronym wasn't directed at myself, but at that particular user's double standards.
Anyhow, I am so over that conversation now, let's focus on something positive, which is Sota news.
- Here are links to post-NHK articles in Japanese, featuring Sota's reflections: https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20191124-00000206-spnannex-spo and https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20191124-00000080-dal-spo It seems he wants to focus on his spin and step levels before Nationals, and wants to work on having less hesitant jumps. Hanyu was a big inspiration for him. Corrections welcome...
- it seems there was an interview of Sota, Koshiro and Jason in one of the gala breaks, done by Shizuka Arakawa, and they talked of fun things. But I have only seen a few brief tweets, so no idea how the interview went
- Sota's gala to You're Beautiful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e-2rVuOey8 (no commentary, low quality), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3ofwjk4AC0 (Russian commentary). It may be just me, but he seems to be really into expressing more with his entire body, some of his new poses look really really nice. And naturally, his spread eagles are always a crowd pleaser. ^ ^ So nice to see him grin during a performance: https://hochi.news/images/2019/11/24/20191124-OHT1I50065-L.jpg
Oh, sorry, Surimi! I hadn't read the post just above yours :laugh:
It makes perfect sense now, thanks for explaining :thumbsup:

I am so pleased to know Sota intends to focus on spins and steps! IMO this is an area where he can really excel. I'm looking forward to watching his performances at Nationals!
 

surimi

Onward and forward, Sota!
Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
Welcome, sallyhatchet! The more, the merrier! :biggrin: I'm exactly the opposite now, hehe - I've been neglecting Shoma, Yuzuru and Kazuki for Sota and Keiji's threads. *sheepish* But it's so hard to keep up with them all! And don't get me started on the ladies -_-
Thanks, Kirara, I'm happy to know you like Sota's progress!

BTW Sota's #32 now in World rankings! It's only a short way (albeit a difficult one, with many points to gather yet) to the top 25.
Also, I couldn't tell but folks who actually can tell jumps apart, say that he went for the 3A in the gala. It was the first gala 3A after his injury, and if I understood correctly, the first one ever he landed. Good job! And also, not a single fall during his programs at NHK although there were costly pops.
 

rRainbow

On the Ice
Joined
Oct 22, 2018
Country
Japan
https://www.daily.co.jp/general/2019/11/24/0012903923.shtml
Translation:

On 24th at NHK Trophy gala, among the top finishers and other Japanese skaters, Sota performed “You’re Beautiful” beautifully.
This is the first time he has entered the same international competition as his idol, Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA), and he learned many things. “(Rather than on the ice) I had a lot of time to learn starting from the warm-up on the ground, such as how to do warm ups to get prepared for the competition,” Yamamoto said, as he learned how to spend time in the warm up room.

Also, they were in the same open practice group, and Yamamoto was impressed with Hanyu’s jumps. Yamamoto said “I should not compare myself to him as he is beyond compare, but while I cautiously set up a quad, he can land a clean jump with the flow (short setup). He seemingly jumps effortlessly but it is only possible after making continuous strenuous efforts. I would like to follow his example.” Yamamoto renewed his resolve by saying “He (Hanyu) is my role model and I admire him. I would like to do my best to be like him and get closer to that goal."
 

rRainbow

On the Ice
Joined
Oct 22, 2018
Country
Japan
This Sota fan blog shows a scanned pages of Sota part of NHK Trophy pamphlet.
https://ameblo.jp/kmn-psn/entry-12548208759.html
Sota interview summary with a focus on the information not previously shared:

- About short program
S: I picked the music as I felt it was somewhat easy music to skate to. After finishing all the jumps the music builds up with the step sequence, and I’m aiming for the steps that would take the audience’s breath away. Similarly towards the end of the free program “In This Shit” I want the audience to feel the unwavering pursuit (of love) as I do the steps.
- About NHK Trophy
S: Since I was little I’ve always wanted to compete at the NHK Trophy. After WD in 2016 due to injury I was finally able to participate in the NHK last year and had a good time. At the second NHK Trophy I want to enjoy myself and would like to put up a good fight as well.
- Do you feel about skating any differently after your injury?
S: I skated long hours before in practice but I was not able to practice intensively. But now I practice because I want to. It is my choice now, and the way I look at skating has changed like that.
- While you were unable to skate, you came to realize how much skating meant to you?
S: As I became unable to skate, I purely wanted to skate. I realized that I loved skating. Before (injury) I used to tell my friends that I did not like skating because I was shy and embarrassed. But now I can say without hesitation that I love skating.

Side note:
- Favorite food:
S: Miso katsu (t/n: pork cutlet topped with a thick miso sauce. One of famous Nagoya dishes)
- What he is interested in now:
S: Listening to music. Sometimes I just listen to my favorite music; other times I listen to the music of all genres trying to find the next program music.
 

surimi

Onward and forward, Sota!
Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
^ hah, I'll never understand why Sota keeps insisting he has no real hobbies. So far we have heard he likes music, 'food' was scraped from his Fed bio but I bet he likes it a lot, hot baths and movies are already in the list, then he apparently enjoys being out with friends, and naturally there's skating and skating videos. Sounds like a nice list to me!

Well, it looks like I'll need to update the OP soon since to my dismay, some of the 2018 videos are no longer available :/ In the meantime, let's have some Sota stuff!
- cute fanart of the flying kiss pose from the SP: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EK-4BA6UYAAGy_5.jpg It looks like the artist fancies So-chan a lot, that's a big pink heart there :D
- nice In This Shirt fanart, it actually nailed Sota's expression, good job! https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJuxlE9U8AAcHR5.jpg
- the drama hands crack me up, but he can make them his own ^ ^ https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJ-KZLiUYAIUgYn.jpg
- last words of support from the coach before the NHK FS: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AGYnLX59nGg/maxresdefault.jpg I love their interaction!
 

surimi

Onward and forward, Sota!
Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
So I had time to watch the Sota part of the pre-NHK interview that Rainbow linked on the previous page, and it's hilarious ^ ^ Sota forgetting the question he was asked a few seconds ago just cracks me up, and Koshiro and Yuzuru had to come to his rescue. lolol. I wonder what Sota's exam period at university looks like! :D

I tried to find some Sota information since Nationals is approaching, but there's very little so far. Unlike his buddy Kazuki, Sota is good at keeping a low profile!
- Here's an article where he -I guess- says something like he approaches Nats with the 'I don't want to mess up' mindset? Hard for me to translate the headline if suberu can mean either slide/skate, or bomb/fail. https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2019/12/18/kiji/20191218s00079000233000c.html
- if anyone has bought Quadruple Axel the magazine, please share some gist of what is said in the Yuhana/Sota article.
- cute photos from the Kiss and Cry magazine, possibly taken at Howa since the setting looks familiar to me: https://www.tvguide.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/kissandcry_20191219_01_03.jpg and https://www.tvguide.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/kissandcry_20191219_01_01.jpg
- Sota's starting number for Friday's SP is 27. Good luck, Sota! Please no falls, injuries or pops if possible! :pray:
 
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