Sota Yamamoto

surimi said:

- 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

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Summary of above Sponichi article:

... After the NHK Trophy in November where he placed 6th, he commented on how he was approaching the Japanese Nationals.
He said with confidence “I have been practicing hard, so much so that I almost got sick and tired of skating.” From the morning practice he was on the ice 4 to 5 hours a day. “There were times I did not like practicing very much,” he said smiling wryly.
...He added, “I have been focusing myself in practice so far. I really want to give good performances.”

Thank you! Good luck to Sota tomorrow.
I was sorry to hear he trained so much he almost lost his joy of skating. :[ I hope he learns to take it easy and not stress so much. After all, training is only one part of success; the other one is mental resilience in competitions, and no rigorous training can teach him that. Have some fun again and good luck, Sota!

Not sure if you've posted this one before, but just in case
https://twitter.com/fskating_Life/status/1207205442755026945
It says Sota switched his edges from Revolution back to Pattern after NHK Trophy, and he's getting his fine skating back. (Sounds like those new edges weren't working well for him.) I hope Sota too skates to his best at Nats. I think he got quite a nice order from the draw.
At the draw, Tomono-kun, after captured by Shoma and sat in the front row, was sitting sideways so that he could talk to Sota and Mitsuki. Looked like they were having a lot of fun there too.

https://twitter.com/sn_figure/status/1207851376144834561
On his run through

@surimi,
I don't think Sota has been keeping his profile low, media never leave him alone. I just don't have time to follow everything but I'm sure you need to dig a little bit more...? I often see his name in media articles when I don't have time paying much attention.
Second, I think he was rather trying to be a bit funny about practicing a lot (or too much), when he said he 'almost' got tired of skating, though I can't be sure as I wasn't there to hear how he said it. We all know he won't get tired of skating, never ever, like he had been wanting to skate even after those horrible chains of injuries, you know?
When you see 'suberu', you can almost always expect it to mean 'to skate' or 'to perform' in figure skating context, unless it specifically states or gives a particular cue otherwise. (It can mean various things when not in context of figure skating, though.)

@ Tsurara, thanks for the feedback! I didn't know he was back to Pattern 99. I hope they help him bring back security in elements. By 'keeping a low profile', I rather meant Sota is a quiet type who unlike Kazuki, doesn't post on social media anymore, although he appears to read them.
I hope you're right in that he loves skating too much not to grow tired of it! Especially now that the Fed doesn't seem to give him much love.
- Based on the reports, I thought he'd skated a terrible program, but it wasn't bad at all, except for that 4T pop and the initial slip a few steps into the program. I find it snortworthy that in this season's US Classic, he got around 80 for a similar program with the same pop, but apparently the Federation has shiny new toys now and doesn't need to focus on Sota anymore, so he's dinged with UR and his TES goes down. You could tell by his expression in the KnC that he knew he'd messed up, but didn't expect such a low score. Same for Kazuki actually. I really think the UR and edges should get more leniency since two hardcore fans with slowmo pics cannot agree on what's UR or not, so why should we trust the panel to assess correctly and fairly what they and only they can see on their screens.
- Lv4 for all spins, but criminally low GoE for them, compared to some other guys.
- for being a tough cookie who I haven't seen shed a tear of disappointment since 2015, he looked devastated in the post-SP interview. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP-EFSvaxjc On top of it, he looks positively done-in, I hope he's okay health-wise. Translation would be welcome, if anyone has the time and skills.
- I hope the lady coaches of Howa hire a 3A specialist or something. Both Sota and Tatsuya got injured jumping it, now Ryuju splat on it, none of these boys have 3A as stable as, say, Keiji or the two young guns. Something's not right for Team Howa with that jump it seems.
- SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E7vLBsZXQU Call me the odd one out, but I didn't think it was as terrible as all the moaning online makes it seem. The scores, though, yes, compared to Sota's other results and messed-up programs of some skaters high above - yes, very disappointing. I can't shake off the feeling that had Sota skated what Keiji had skated - quad with fall, 3A, and 3lz2t - he wouldn't be much higher than he is now. He's getting very rough treatment from his own Fed, for someone who's upped his tech content tremendously within just a year, and after such an injury.
- he looked extremely tense before the program to me. An online friend mentioned it looked like Sota was shaken by his kouhai Tatsuya's WD and injury, that it might have reminded him of his own injury. I hope he's feeling calmer now...

Sota skates tomorrow as 5th in group 2, before Daisuke again. I hope he's healthy, and let's see about the rest. Can he get rid of the nerves? I hope so. I'll cheer for him no matter the result. Good luck, Sota! Remember that failure is just a stepping stone to success.
Based on the practice reports, he changed his first sanrenzoku jump from 3Lz to 3Lo. It really looks like his Lz is not as reliable as pre-injury. Pity, but nothing that cannot be fixed, I hope. I just hope his foot is okay, because for Rika K, the Lz jump had to be set aside precisely for health reasons.

https://twitter.com/fskating_Life/status/1208608546264190977
Sota Yamamoto, 4S(2f), 2T, 3A, 3Lz3T, 3A2T, 3Lo1Eu3S, 3F.
He had a nice 4T in practice (meaning, outside the run-through, I guess)
It also says everyone except for Sota finished early, that is to say, Sota was there till the very end.

Planned layout:
https://twitter.com/nikkan_wm/status/1208640277335826432
(last photo, 2nd from the last is Sota's)

Thanks for the report, Tsurara! I am unsettled to see they keep insisting on the 4T despite the pops. *swipes forehead*
Skate your best, Sota! May the skating deities be with you this time.

Sota’s interview after the short.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP-EFSvaxjc
- -How do you reflect on your performance?
Since 6-min warmup I became very nervous and I could not focus on my skate 100%. My nerves got the better of me, and I lost strength and popped and fell and stopped. I made such embarrassing mistakes. I want to do my best in the free.
I was too tense to control my muscle and when my edges got deep I lost control of my body and fell. Then, I became such a nervous wreck that I could not grasp what was going on. I realized how weak I was.
- - It’s been two years since you came back to competition. How did you feel about the audience cheering for you?
I am very happy that I was able to perform in front of a big audience, but I also wanted to deliver a good skate so I want to do my best in the free.
--Lastly, could I have a quick word from you about your free?
I want to be able to skate well so that I can narrow the score margin, so I need to give it my best shot.

Sota’s interview after the free.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUpquqce-KQ
--Yamamoto senshu, thank you for your hard work.
Thank you very much.
How did you approach the free after your troublesome short?
I wanted to bring out my best performance instead of focusing on jumps only, and I feel I gave my powerful performance as much as I could from the beginning to the end.
--What are your thoughts about your performance?
I made some jump mistakes but my scores were so low that I am afraid I might have made some other mistakes which could have been avoided if I had paid more attention to them. That said, I gave my all in the free and I want to do like that from the short at other competitions.
--This season you challenged yourself. At this Nationals what kind of scenery unfolded before your eyes?
In the short program I tensed up too much to see anything else around me, but in the free I was able to take a good look around myself from practice till the end of the program, and I think I was able to perform keeping in mind how to showcase my skating.
--Any plans from now on?
As you would expect, I want to raise the level of completeness of my programs and get much higher scores. I’m aiming for good performance.
--Lastly, could you give your fans a word?
I am really happy to have received a lot of cheers and presents from you all, and I will continue to do my best to return the favor. Thank you so much.

Just wanted to say, good fight from Sota at Nationals!
Completely agree with Surimi's assessment re: the scores :disapp:

This Sota fan blogger transcribed the K&C chat among Sota and his coaches after his free at NJats. Many tanks to Shelley.
https://ameblo.jp/shelley39/entry-12562246451.html
N: Naruse coach, S: Sota, & K: Kawaume coach

N: Are you thinking that you tend to pop your jump at least one time?
S: Whether it is underrotated or not (the rest is inaudible)
N: Don’t worry about it.
(Coach K is busy helping him with his jacket and tissue papers.)
N: I was absolutely sure 4S was under-rotated (rest is inaudible).
N: You’d better (rotate) well enough (to land solidly?)
N: (Probably she was watching his fall on 4T) I was afraid you hit your head. (Sota smiled bitterly.)
N: Axel was scary.
K: The second one (second 3A?)
N: Now I saw this, I noticed your upper body hasn’t changed. Other jumps changed (inaudible) a little. (The rest is inaudible for a while)
N: But you really float in the air. When you went to the Asia Open you floated more.
(Sota waved his hands to the audience.)
N: I’m glad we could finish this with smiles on our faces.
N: (Repeating her comment) I’m glad we could finish this with smiles on our faces.

Thanks for the update, Rainbow!
- Unless the federation pick Sota for a European B competition, Nationals concludes his season, as is the case for most boys who haven't made the national team. I'd love to see Sota again this season, but we'll see, I have a feeling that this time Mitsuki and Koshiro will get the Bs. However, he needs to stay ready still, as he's the second alternate for both Worlds and 4CC, and in skating, one never knows. It appears he isn't guaranteed any GP spots =_=

- regarding Nationals, Sota has nothing to be ashamed of. Losing just to two legends (Yuzuru and Shoma), two experienced GP/Worlds skaters (Keiji and Kazuki), and two break-out stars with senior level PCS (the latter unfair I'd say), Shun and Yuuma, that's a very good achievement.

- Sota is in A funding now, after two years of starting in B. I keep my fingers crossed that a sponsor will contact him soon, I am surprised that no one wants such a fierce, talented and good-looking skater.

- his next appearance should be the Nagoya Festival at the beginning of January. Then we'll probably hear a bit more about him as he's turning 20 on January 10. (isn't that when one officially becomes an adult in Japan, and get to wear the traditional clothes and all?) After that, we'll see... but I bet he won't be keeping his SP and FP music and starts working on new ones soon.

- I'll slowly keep updating his OP, but it's going to take a while.

- a shoutout to Sota's audacious new closing FP pose, glaring with an outstretched fist in the judges' direction: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EMchjGYU4AAX2rN.jpg That's the fighting spirit! Interestingly, right after he took on the pose, the evaluation of his final spin turned from OK (green) to 'to be reviewed' (yellow). Coincidence? lol.

surimi said:

Thanks for the update, Rainbow!
- Unless the federation pick Sota for a European B competition, Nationals concludes his season, as is the case for most boys who haven't made the national team. I'd love to see Sota again this season, but we'll see, I have a feeling that this time Mitsuki and Koshiro will get the Bs. However, he needs to stay ready still, as he's the second alternate for both Worlds and 4CC, and in skating, one never knows. It appears he isn't guaranteed any GP spots =_=

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I don't see why Sota wouldn't get a Challenger! As far as I know, they normally send the alts to Senior Bs so they can keep in competitive shape. When Kazuki was the second alternate in the 2017/18 season he was sent to a Senior B (Coup de Printemps), and last season Sota and Koshiro were the alts and got Senior Bs. Kazuki didn't get a senior B, but that's because he was already assigned to Universiade

Also, at the moment Sota's SB is in 23rd this season, that would mean if she season finished now he would get one guaranteed GP! This might change by the end of the season, or might not, let's see!

KiraraChin said:

I don't see why Sota wouldn't get a Challenger! As far as I know, they normally send the alts to Senior Bs so they can keep in competitive shape. When Kazuki was the second alternate in the 2017/18 season he was sent to a Senior B (Coup de Printemps), and last season Sota and Koshiro were the alts and got Senior Bs. Kazuki didn't get a senior B, but that's because he was already assigned to Universiade

Also, at the moment Sota's SB is in 23rd this season, that would mean if she season finished now he would get one guaranteed GP! This might change by the end of the season, or might not, let's see!

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It's just that someone said he's already maxed out on minor international assignments due to getting points at both of his Challengers. I certainly hope the Federation can send him still, but we'll see! Better not get my hopes up...

I'll keep my fingers crossed for a GP for him. But it's going to be difficult staying #23. I took a glance at some of the names behind him, and there are guys like Kvitelashvili, Brezina, Cha, Hiwatashi, and even Kazuki... all of them have a chance to get a score over 240 at their next assignments (if Kazuki competes at 4CC). There's Europeans, Worlds, 4CC and Junior Worlds to get a SB at, so all I can do is hope for the best for Sota. :]

Well, OP update is almost finished, yay. That will be my birthday gift for Sota, lol.

KiraraChin said:

I don't see why Sota wouldn't get a Challenger! As far as I know, they normally send the alts to Senior Bs so they can keep in competitive shape. When Kazuki was the second alternate in the 2017/18 season he was sent to a Senior B (Coup de Printemps), and last season Sota and Koshiro were the alts and got Senior Bs. Kazuki didn't get a senior B, but that's because he was already assigned to Universiade

Also, at the moment Sota's SB is in 23rd this season, that would mean if she season finished now he would get one guaranteed GP! This might change by the end of the season, or might not, let's see!

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I really like your positive spirit Kirara! Reading Sota's and Kazuki's fan fests always cheer me up!

surimi said:

It's just that someone said he's already maxed out on minor international assignments due to getting points at both of his Challengers. I certainly hope the Federation can send him still, but we'll see! Better not get my hopes up...

I'll keep my fingers crossed for a GP for him. But it's going to be difficult staying #23. I took a glance at some of the names behind him, and there are guys like Kvitelashvili, Brezina, Cha, Hiwatashi, and even Kazuki... all of them have a chance to get a score over 240 at their next assignments (if Kazuki competes at 4CC). There's Europeans, Worlds, 4CC and Junior Worlds to get a SB at, so all I can do is hope for the best for Sota. :]

Well, OP update is almost finished, yay. That will be my birthday gift for Sota, lol.

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I'm keeping my fongers crossed too for a senior B assignments and two GP spots for both Kazuki and Sota! Like Kirara, I think the possibility for both of them to be assigned to a Senior B is real cause, as alternates to 4CC and Worlds, they need to stay ready!!!eace:

Giu said:

I really like your positive spirit Kirara! Reading Sota's and Kazuki's fan fests always cheer me up!




I'm keeping my fongers crossed too for a senior B assignments and two GP spots for both Kazuki and Sota! Like Kirara, I think the possibility for both of them to be assigned to a Senior B is real cause, as alternates to 4CC and Worlds, they need to stay ready!!!eace:

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Thank you! You guys give me hope.

***

Happy New Year's Eve and New Year, Sota fans! May the new year bring all that is good to us, and to Sota and his family and friends! :agree: ( <- toast )

Cross-posting this from Kazuki Tomono's Fan Fest: Sota was hanging out with Kazuki, Mitsuki Sumoto and Taichiro Yamakuma on the last day of the year!
They seemed to be having loads of fun! :luv17:
https://twitter.com/KiraraChin/status/1212014725866950658
https://twitter.com/KiraraChin/status/1212014943941386241
https://twitter.com/KiraraChin/status/1212031491582156801

Thanks for the links! Here's one more photo of the four boys grinning: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ENHrUwjUUAAMFFU.jpg:large
Here's some more New Year Sota stuff
- fan video documenting Sota's year 2019 by Shelley, a Sota blogger:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI_ckhr3N5k
- fan art - Sota and Kazuki eating noodles https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ENKZzXmUYAglGfC.jpg:large , nice fanart showing Sota in his costumes and casual sportswear https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ENH7acVWkAAL_Oy.jpg:large

Here to supply some more Sota news!

- Sota is assigned to the annual Nagoya show this weekend. It takes place tomorrow on Jan 4. He's in very good company there - Keiji Tanaka, Kazuki Tomono, Yuuma Kagiyama and young (I can't read the first name) Morimoto are participating in Men, and Yuhana Yokoi, Rika Kihira, Mako Yamashita and Marin Honda in Ladies. The guest skater is Takahito Mura who I believe did the commentary for this year's Nationals along with Takeshi Honda (?).

- He doesn't appear in the group photos taken by some of the cast the day before the show, so maybe his arrival will be last minute - I've been told by a Sota-centric blogger that he tends to stay in Osaka, his birthplace, after Nationals.

- no information on any competitions so far -_-

- I've learned that the Tokai Walker magazine apparently published the information that Sota was suffering from a left ankle injury at Nationals. That could explain the 4T struggles, and why he lost balance just gliding backward at the beginning of his SP. Poor boy, I hope he's okay now!

A short article on Sota's Nagoya Festival performance:
https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20200104-00010050-chuspo-spo

He skated to his gala music this season “You’re Beautiful” and jumped 3F and 3Ltz. Before his performance he had announced that he would try to do his best and enjoy his skate. True to his word, he showcased his fluid skating taking advantage of his long arms and legs. Responding to the cheering from the audience he skated the last part of his SP this season “East of Eden” as an encore performance. He commented “What happened last year is over… New year has started and I don’t look back. I look forward.”

For those who can read Japanese (or just want to see pics from the Nagoya show, and not just of Sota :] ): https://ameblo.jp/kmn-psn/entry-12564733220.html It looks like about 3-4 readers of this blog went to the show, and wrote reports about it.
That's all the news on Sota there is for now, sorry. The next will be his birthday on the 10th, and then we can hope he gets a present from the fed and be sent somewhere to compete... Last year the names of sent skaters were published around the January 17.