On March 18, 2025, the Japanese women's curling team, known as Forteius, faced a difficult setback at the World Women’s Curling Championship held in Gangneung, South Korea. The team, which had been seeking to secure qualification for the Milan Olympics, lost to the United States with a score of 6-9, bringing their overall record to 2 wins and 4 losses. This defeat raised significant concerns about their prospects for advancing to the championship playoffs and, eventually, the Olympics.
The match started with Japan holding momentum; they even led 1-0 at the third end. Unfortunately, the turning point came when skip Satsuki Fujisawa missed her last shot, allowing the U.S. to snatch two points, taking control of the game. This moment exemplified the challenging nature of the sport, where one misstep can lead to significant losses.
Despite the early setback, Forteius showed resilience. They managed to recover and by the ninth end, they turned the tables on their opponents by scoring two points to regain the lead at 6-5. This comeback performance was marked by precision shots but also underscored the volatility of curling competitions. Nevertheless, Japan hit another snag during the final end of the match. The United States implemented effective strategies, which culminated in Fujisawa missing another shot, leading to four points for the Americans and sealing Japan’s fate.
After the game, there was palpable disappointment among the players. Yuna Kotani, the second player for the team, emphasized the importance of reviewing their performance as they looked to future matches. “After the first half, our tenacity was still there, but I want to review how we start the next game,” she stated, indicating the urgency for improvement as they face tough competitors ahead.
The competition format is particularly challenging, with 13 countries competing and only the top six teams advancing to the playoffs. Japan now finds itself at risk of elimination, needing to secure victories against Denmark and Scotland, both of which hold strong world rankings at 9th and 7th respectively. Following those matches, they are set to confront Canada, which is ranked 2nd. Each of these games carries substantial weight for Japan's hopes at Olympic qualification.
The pathway for the team to Milan has become increasingly narrow, and with the pressure ramping up, every shot taken will carry heightened significance. The results from their past matches have been mixed, suffering earlier losses but achieving impressive victories as well. This inconsistency leaves fans and analysts questioning if they can recover well enough to gain one of the coveted Olympic spots.
With several games left to play, it’s clear the stakes are higher than ever. The outcome of these matches will not only determine if they can advance to the playoff rounds but also if they will participate in the Olympic stage. The team, fully aware of what’s at stake, is committed to regrouping and refining their strategy.
“We can’t afford to lose any more games,” Kotani concluded, underscoring the sense of urgency within the team. The combination of talent and grit will be tested rigorously as the team attempts to pave their way to what they hope will be a successful Olympic campaign.
