On March 18, 2025, the Japanese womens curling team, known as Fortius, faced another hurdle at the World Womens Curling Championships held in South Korea, suffering their fourth defeat of the tournament. This loss against the United States, ranked 6th, came with the game ending 6-9, pushing Fortius record to 2 wins and 4 losses.
After starting the competition with high hopes, the team found themselves struggling against recognition and momentum. Their initial match against South Korea had already set the tone of the tournament, and following victories against Italy and losses to both China and Switzerland, the players felt the pressure mounting as they approached this pivotal game against the USA.
It was during the decisive moments of this match where the team grappled with their performance. After nine ends, Fortius initially had the upper hand, leading 6-5. With momentum seemingly on their side, excitement filled the air. But it all came crashing down when the United States made their final push, scoring four points in the tenth end to clinch the win.
Skip Yoshimura Sayaka, the team's captain, expressed frustration about the mismatched execution, stating, “The feeling was good, but the ice reading and throws weren't matching up.” She and her teammates recognized the necessity of adjusting their strategy to bring out their best shots. Despite the disappointment, they acknowledged the physical performance; with the teams overall shot success rate at 83.4%. Lead Kinjo-tani Ayaka stood out with a success rate of 93.1%, ranking second among all leads at the championships.
Kinjo-tani analyzed the team dynamics post-match, realizing their basic shots were there, but the key moments often fell through due to errors, particularly with ice readings. “We can execute draw weights and fundamental shots,” noted Kinjo-tani, but the inconsistencies were evident against stronger opponents.
Despite the losses, both Yoshimura and Kinjo-tani are determined to adapt and recalibrate their approach for the upcoming matches. Yoshimura stated, “It’s about how we read the ice and creatively link our shots as the game progresses.” The team is expected to use their next matches to hone this strategy, learning how to adapt to the ever-changing conditions of the ice.
Looking back, the team rode through their early matches with varied results. Following their opening-day loss to South Korea, they managed to secure victory against Italy but fell short against China, one of the top-ranking teams. Their struggle against Switzerland, ranked number one, resulted in another tough lesson, ending with the score at 5-9.
Now, with their backs against the wall, the Fortius team focuses on finding their rhythm and building confidence as they aim for qualification for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics.
Meanwhile, concerns began to circle as fan reactions grew more impatient and worried. Comments like, “What happened?” and “This level of performance won't cut it!” filled social media platforms as supporters anticipated improvement after each game. The pressure was palpable for the young team representing Japan.
Nevertheless, the team remains steadfast, knowing they have the ability to rebound. “We’ll figure out how to overcome the challenges with each game. We need to trust each other and improve communication on ice, especially during pivotal shots,” said Yoshimura, reinforcing the team's belief in their capabilities.
Japan's next match is imminent, so fans and teammates alike can only hope the adjustments made by Fortius will help them achieve the consistency they need to reclaim success from the competition.
