“Life isn’t always easy. I see my skating career, with all its ups and downs, reflected in this song.” Sota Yamamoto on his FP to “Hallelujah,” recovery from injury and Olympic goals
Sota Yamamoto Triumphs at Chubu Championships, Reflects on Injury Recovery and Olympic Goals
original source: Nikkansports, September 21st, 2025 by Katsube Kota
Sota Yamamoto (25) claimed victory at the Chubu Championships, marking his comeback after a recent injury. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on Nikkansports.
Sota Yamamoto took another step forward in his recovery from injury by winning the Chubu Championships, a regional event that serves as the first stage of selection for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Following his leading performance in the short program with 77.08 points, Yamamoto also claimed the top spot in the free skate with a score of 169.72 points, bringing his total to 246.80 – a winning score.
After securing victory, Yamamoto expressed relief and optimism: “I was worried about whether my stamina would hold, but I managed to make it through and I’m glad.”
Yamamoto’s path to victory has not been easy, as he is still recovering from a lower back injury sustained earlier this month, just one week before the Kinoshita Group Trophy – a Challenger Series event – where he finished fourth overall. Following that competition, Yamamoto dedicated approximately a week to treatment, avoiding the ice until three days before the Chubu Championships.
Taking a cautious approach, Yamamoto simplified his jump layout for the free skate, incorporating only one quad focusing on clean execution. Reflecting on his performance, Yamamoto stated: “I did what I could within the current limits of my condition. I feel like I’m almost back to full health.” With determination, he added: “I’ll work hard to return to the form I had before the injury.”
Yamamoto acknowledged the physical challenges of his recovery: “To be honest, I was worried about whether my stamina would hold out.” Based on the fatigue he felt during the short program, he carefully tailored his practice and warm-up routine on the day of the free skate. His strategy paid off: “It was close, but my stamina held up – thank goodness.”
Yamamoto’s free skate to “Hallelujah,” choreographed by Lori Nichol, reflected his personal journey as well as his connection to the song’s themes of faith and perseverance. Taking an active role in understanding the music, he studied Japanese translations of the lyrics and integrated his interpretation into his performance.
One of his favorite lines in the song – “life isn’t always easy” – resonated deeply with his struggles during injury recovery. Yamamoto explained: “I see my skating career, with all its ups and downs, reflected in this song. My ideal is to express the soul of these experiences to the audience.”
Yamamoto plans to appear at another Challenger Series event in early October, followed by the Grand Prix Series’ China Cup later in the month. Remaining cautious yet optimistic, he reflects on the ebbs and flows of progress: “There are good days and bad days, but that’s all part of the journey. It’s fun either way. I hope fans will continue to look forward to what’s next.”
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