Mitsuki Sumoto

[rRainbow]

Part 3:

--You just mentioned "Parisienne Walkways," why did you choose it?
Mitsuki: I think that's because I've seen most of Hanyu senshu's performances so far and.I often watch the free skate "Romeo and Juliet" (13-14), but I prefer to watch the short programs. I've been watching "Parisienne Walkways" for a long time, so in total, I've watched it the most times. I still remember a lot of the choreography.
Sota: You still watch it, don't you?
Mitsuki: Yeah, I do.
Sota: "So cool!!" It wows me.
Mitsuki: Yes, exactly. Also, Dennis Teng's short when he won the Four Continents Championships (Seoul, 2015). Many people say they like the free skate of that year, but I like the short "Caruso".
Sota: Yeah, yeah, the vocal one.
Mitsuki: Right, right. So I prefer to watch the short.
Sota: We're talking a lot like skating buffs (laughs).
Mitsuki: Hahaha (laughs).
Kazuki I can't keep up with you guys!
Sota: (looking at Tomono and Yamakuma) You guys, you’d better watch more skating (laughs)!
Taichiro: I don't watch much. When I do, they are always the same ones. Like (Evan) Lysacek.
Mitsuki: Oh. He had an aura of maturity.
--Come to think of it, the vibe he gives off is similar, isn't it?
Kazuki: Indeed, yes.
Mitsuki: Yeah, yeah.
Taichiro: But what I want to inherit is Takahashi (Daisuke)-kun's "Eye" (08-09, 09-10 SP).
Mitsuki and Kazuki: Oh, that's great!
Sota: Great idea. You've said so before, haven't you?
Taichiro: That style is cool, isn't it? That's really cool. Anyway, it was cool and I really wanted to be able to do steps like that. I think it would be great if I could perform that program.
Kazuki: I also thought of Daisuke Takahashi senshu, and the first thing that came to my mind was "Mambo" (10-11 SP)! I want to do it so much.
Everyone: That's good! Great!
--That would be perfect for you!

- to be cont'd -

 

[rRainbow]

Last Part:

Kazuki: Also, I was simply envious of Nathan Chen's "Caravan" (18-19 SP).
Sota: Oh, wow!
Taichiro: Cool!
Kazuki: Actually, I haven't done a short with that sort of beat. I'm sure it's difficult to control your steps with that kind of up-tempo jazz music, but I'd like to try "Caravan".
Taichiro: Everything becomes so Kazuki when Kazuki does it.
Sota: That's a compliment, isn't it?
Kazuki That's more than 30% dissing (laughs). Also, (Uno) Shoma-kun's short program ("Legends") in his first year of senior year (15-16).
Everyone: Ah! Yeah!
Kazuki: I love it, so I want to give it a try. When I think about it, there are so many.
Mitsuki: Although it's a totally different type, I'd like to do "Pagliacci" (12-13 FS).
Everyone: Aaah!
Kazuki: That's a refined piece.
Mitsuki: I think it was around 2012. I've watched that program many times too.
Sota: He did well at the Nationals.
Mitsuki: The one at the Nationals was good.
--It was in Sapporo, wasn't it?
Sota and Mitsuki: Yeah, yeah.
Taichiro: The free skate, the one where he went for the upset.
Mitsuki: Yes, yes! It was really good.
Kazuki: You guys know so much!
Sota: Why do you know so little? (laughs).
Taichiro: Even I could follow that one (laughs).
Kazuki: I don't know. I watch performances, but I don't know about the "something something" competition of the "something" year.
Sota: Your memories are surprisingly poor.
Kazuki: Yes, my memories are really bad.
Sota: A man who lives in the present moment!
Mitsuki: Cool!
Kazuki: I do watch great performances. But as to when and which one they did, ..... I don't quite remember. In fact, the person who is least interested in skating is me?
Taichiro: I'm next by a small margin.
Kazuki: I like skating, but when it comes to seeing competitions, I've never been that interested. I really love to watch the performances. I like to see who I'm competing against, or who I'm associated with. Also, lately I've been really into watching skaters from the generation before Takeshi (Honda) sensei.
Kota: Kurt Browning?
Kazuki Yes, yes!
Mitsuki: Kazuki, you've been watching him for a long time, haven't you?
Sota: I was with Kazuki at the training camp for Stars (On Ice) and The Ice, and he kept saying, "Hey, look at this!" He showed me the edge work of Kurt Browning's skating, and said, "That generation is amazing!"
Kazuki: I love Kurt Browning. That generation of skaters' edge work is awesome, and I've been watching them. I can watch videos from that era all the time. Kurt Browning is seriously incredible.
Mitsuki: Among all Kurt Browning's works, it's gotta be "Singing in the Rain" (1994) after all.
Sota: Oh, that's the one Mitsuki used too.
Kazuki: You can watch it forever. I really want you to watch it, because it sort of connected to the starting point of my skating, like the quick small steps. Hiraike sensei is a huge fan of Kurt Browning, and sensei coached me to do his steps. So, I feel, "Oh, so this is where I came from."
--Thank you very much for sharing your precious story with us.

- the end -

 

[surimi]

Thanks for your translations!
Which 2012 Pagliacci is Mitsuki referring to?
I see he prefers classical pieces, and I think they're good vehicles for him. Mitsuki is a serene guy, similar to Sota. I approve of his praise for Denis Ten's Caruso. It's a lovely song, and suitable for serene skaters. I love how Mitsuki and Sota are so crazy about skating and program watching
Aww, Mitsuki still watches Yuzuru's old programs. He's such a fanboy. ^ ^

I hope Mitsuki has successful sectionals!

 

[rRainbow]

At West Sectionals Mitsuki is 2nd after the SP with 71.88 following Kazuki Kushida with 76.06.
This season Mitsuki has been suffering from health issues of unknown cause.

須本光希ＳＰ２位　原因不明の体調不良も「悪化しないように練習したい」（日刊スポーツ） - Yahoo!ニュース

＜フィギュアスケート：西日本選手権＞◇第1日◇5日◇アクシオン福岡◇男子ショートプログラム（SP）

news.yahoo.co.jp

Mitsuki Sumoto (20), the third-place finisher in the 2017 Junior Grand Prix (GP) Finals, is dealing with unidentified health issues as he prepares for the Japan National Championships in Saitama Super Arena in December.

In the SP, he jumped a two and a half rotation Axel, and didn't make any big mistakes in jumps, and took 2nd place with 71.88 points. With a satisfied expression on his face, he said, "Before the competition, I was worried and impatient, so I wasn't in a good state mentally. But I was able to perform better than I expected.”

He' s been plagued with health problems this season. Whenever he starts practicing, he breaks out in hives and feels nauseous. The doctor has been trying to determine the cause, but it is still unknown. "If I knew the cause, I could take medicine to control it, but..." he candidly says. Although he thought about withdrawing from the Kinki Regional Championships in Kyoto in October, he decided to compete. The Japan Nationals stage, which will be held after this tournament, has become a source of his strength.

"I don't know how many years I have left in my skating life. I want to skate in Saitama (where the Japan National Championships will be held). I've been told by many people that my physical condition is most important. I'm going to practice making sure it doesn't get worse."

He has been competing in international competitions since he was a junior, and his effortless smooth glide has been his forte. He will go into the free skate on the 6th, aiming for the big stage at the end of the year.

 

[surimi]

OMG poor Mitsuki, this health condition sounds awful, whatever it is I first thought he might have something like the twisties that Simone Biles is suffering from, but a rash...? Maybe it's something neurological, or strong allergy to something at the rink, like the small particles of ice that are in the air?
He should be proud of himself for competing so well under these circumstances. Those around him are right: his health is paramount.
Best of luck in the free, Mitsuki!

 

[surimi]

Posting this link here (thanks, Tsuyo!) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eBt_x3EnQ45eLH-9lxjNi8NjGxMJ9aKr/view
It's Mitsuki's FS at West Japan sectionals.
It was a nice surprise to see him skate like this! His jumps were not perfect, and the spins still need some work, but his gliding was smooth and I think he expressed the music very nicely. It was refresing to hear Un Giorno from R&J without vocals for once. I think the jump and spin improvement will follow if Mitsuki finds out -and deals with- what is causing his health issues during trainings. I really wonder if it's subconscious nerves, as the nausea reminds me of how Ryuju described his state before competitions: feeling sick and hardly able to eat.

The FS costume is a tad too baggy on Mitsuki, but I like his new hairstyle, and I think his face has matured some since we saw him last

 

[rRainbow]

Interview with Mitsuki at the Nationals:
Tramslation:

The men's free skate was held, and Mitsuki Sumoto (3rd year student in Creative Policy) placed 15th with 131.07 points, totaling 199.62 points. "I came to this venue with the feeling that I might as well retire after the All-Japan Championships," said Sumoto, revealing his torn feelings. But on the morning of the 25th, he received a message of encouragement from a professional baseball player. On his SNS, he revealed that the message came from Hanshin infielder Teruaki Sato, 22. The following is a question-and-answer session with Mr. Sumoto.

【Question and Answer after Men's Free】

-Looking back at your performance today, your thoughts?

Sumoto: "I enjoyed skating in the free as well as short, I think I could finish this competition with the feeling that skating is fun, in practice, in competitions, and on stage.

-How did you feel to skate in front of such a big audience today, overcoming your illness?

Sumoto: "After all, it was difficult for me because there were no-audience competitions one after another, and I couldn't practice to my satisfaction due to my poor health for a long time, but I was able to skate in front of so many audiences, and I'm really glad that I was able to skate all the way to the All-Japan Championships, even to the free skate."

-After your performance, you seemed to nod a little. How did you feel at that moment?

Sumoto: "I was relieved, and I was very thankful that my physical condition was good enough to last until All-Japan, although I don't know what will happen after that. I think I was nodding my head, thinking that I had finally finished the All-Japan Championships.

-Did you feel that your physical condition was not good enough until you finished the free skate?

Sumoto: "From the day after the short, I wasn't in good shape, then yesterday's practice, today's morning practice, today's 6-minutes warmup, I guess I was nervous for the competition, but these were the most physically challenging times, but more than that, I felt I was enjoying myself, so I was able to skate all the way to finish the free skate.”

-Did you get a new costume for All-Japan?

Sumoto: "I've worn it once at a local competition. Actually I had intended to wear the same costume for the whole year towards the All-Japan Championships, but I asked them to make me a costume that I really liked, because I felt that the All-Japan Championships is a special stage."

-What did you gain today?

Sumoto: "I was really feeling like I could retire after the All-Japan Championships when I came to this venue, but I had a good time practicing and performing, and I received a message from someone yesterday morning. It was from someone in a completely different sport, but he said, 'Let's work hard together,' so I changed my mind once more, and I hope I'll be in good shape to compete in the All-Japan Championships again next season, and feel good about myself."

-Who is he?

Sumoto: "He is a baseball player. He gave me an unexpected Christmas present, so I'm glad that it made me feel better for today's FS."

【Question and answer after the men's SP】

-How do you feel after today's performance?

Sumoto: "Well...as soon as my name was called, there was a lot of warm applause and support from the audience, since there had been no audience for a year, I don't know how many years it's been, but I felt like I was really enjoying the competition and I had fun skating till the music was over.”

-You said you weren't feeling well in the competition before, how are you feeling now?

Sumoto: "Well, I can't say I'm in perfect shape yet. I had a long period of time after Western Japan, but I wasn't feeling too good or too bad, and I'm still in the same condition. I was not in good shape when I exercised, but now that I competed at the Kinki regionals, I knew I had to do well, so I was grateful to be able to skate at the Saitama Super Arena in All-Japan."

-What kind of words did Coach Kono (Yumi) say to you today?

Sumoto: "Well, right after the Kinki regionals, I went to Iizuka Ice Palace in Fukuoka, and I was somewhat under the guidance of Yumi sensei and Akira sensei, though I didn't transfer to them.
She helped me a lot in practice, and I hadn't improved much since I came over here, but during the six minutes of warm up, my jumps were gradually coming back to my satisfaction, so she told me, 'It's not bad, so you should do well.’"

-How eager are you for the free skate?

Sumoto: "Well, as with the short program, I'll try to give a performance that I enjoy, and since I chose Romeo and Juliet for the free program, I'll put my heart into it, and try my best to skate through it."

-Did you see anything new or learn anything by practicing and competing on the same ice with Hanyu senshu, whom you admire?

Sumoto: "Well, it was the first time for me to be on the same rink with Hanyu. During the competition, I skated with him for the first time, and he was so amazing that I can't really put it into words...amazing is the only word that came to my mind, and when we were practicing, I felt that he was amazing, and when we were going back to the hotel after practice, I really felt that we had a good time. After the practice, when we were going back to the hotel, I really enjoyed the time we spent together, so I think there were some new aspects of Hanyu senshu that I hadn't seen before, but the strongest feeling is that it was fun."

 

[surimi]

Thank you for the translation! I didn't know Mitsuki has changed coaches, as unfortunately I haven't seen any videos of his Nationals programs on Youtube. Do you know if the health condition he is speaking of here, is the same one which caused him to feel sick during practices?
It's good to hear Mitsuki plans to keep skating! Good luck to him in the new year!

Here's Mitsuki's IG photo celebrating the New Year: https://www.instagram.com/p/CYJx_QGFaRv/?utm_medium=copy_link He picked a photo with Sota and says it's the best ^ ^ It seems his resolution is to make good choices which he won't regret

 

[KiraraChin]

Thank you, rRainbow and surimi! Wow, I didn't know Mitsuki was seriously considering retiring already, glad he got that text message from the baseball player. Hope to see him improving into the next season

 

[gsk8]

 

[surimi]

Wishing Mitsuki a belated Happy Birthday! I hope his performances make him happy in the rest of the season (can he skate at a local competition in Osaka, possibly? Something like the Aichi prefectural championship?), and that the next one makes him glad he's decided to keep competing.

 

[surimi]

A brief article about Mitsuki by Asahi, but only the first part is accessible for non-paying members: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASQ961SJ5Q8PUTQP011.html
Interesting costume, the purple one ^ ^ But Mitsuki looks very much grown up by now.
I think Mitsuki did the best thing for his health by choosing to retire at the end of this season. If you look at the third photo in the collection, he's still awfully thin, so hopefully a kaisha life (or teaching skating skills, if he wants to stay in the business) will do him good.

Mitsuki sharing his thoughts on skating on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mitsuki130204/status/1572446825831071745 It doesn't work with Google translate or Twitter translate so I'm left guessing. He talks of his condition last year when he was so ill he couldn't practice on the ice for longer 10 minutes, and seems to be saying he still has days when he doesn't feel well, and appreciates when people like his skating even so?

 

[KiraraChin]

 

[surimi]

I wished Mitsuki good luck in his new career, and he liked my Tweet. I'm glad It's good he wants to do something related to skating. I wonder if he'll become a coach, choreographer, or skating skills specialist. I always liked his effortless glide.
I'm still regretful I couldn't see him skate live at Coupe du Printemps.