The Japan Curling Team Selection Trials are set to commence on February 2nd, 2025, at Yokohama Buntai, and they hold significant importance for athletes aspiring to qualify for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. The event will involve fierce competition as multiple teams vie for spots on the national squad.
Among the frontrunners is the Loco Solare team, which has gained notable recognition for their performance over the past few years, including consecutive medals at the 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing Olympics. The kawaii team of four has been together for a decade, cultivating deep bonds and teamwork, which they hope will carry them through the trials.
With the stakes high, Loco Solare recently announced they would refrain from using two specific types of curling brushes flagged for having possibly enhanced sweeping capabilities. They aim to compete with the spirit of fair play, using Hardline brushes which they allege meet the traditional standards of curling. The decision was made following statements from the World Curling Federation (WCF), which suggested no sufficient evidence was found to prohibit the current brush design.
Yukika Yoshida, one of the team members, expressed the philosophy of Loco Solare on her social media, stating, “I always prioritize what kind of team I want to be part of and what kind of athlete I wish to become.” This sentiment echoes the team’s commitment not just to win but to enrich the curling experience for their fans and each other.
The competition will adopt a round-robin format for the initial league stage, dividing ten teams across two blocks. From there, the top three teams from each block will progress to the next stage, maintaining their records. The two leading teams will then engage directly in the finals, heightening the intensity and excitement of the matches.
Among the competitors are notable squads like Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, led by last year's champions and with high expectations for team performance. They already hold qualifications to represent Japan due to late competition successes. Another strong contender includes the SC Karuizawa Club, which offers stiff competition due to their previous second-place finish.
The tournament's outcome is pivotal; Loco Solare must place within the top three to retain hopes for Olympic qualification. The pressure is palpable as the team reflects on their previous trials—last year they finished fourth and failed to qualify, marking it as both a learning opportunity and motivation for improvement.
Fujisawa Satsuki, the skip of Loco Solare, shared her thoughts on the renewed competition, saying, “Winning the Japan Championship is not easy; the level of competition here has significantly increased.” Every match and every shot will count, as the qualifiers are set up to determine the nation’s representatives for the games.
Fans are invited to follow the matches through live broadcasts by NHK, which promises extensive coverage from February 2 to 9. This includes significant matchups such as the opening game between Hokkaido Bank and the Loco Solare team, giving supporters a chance to observe the trial’s intensity firsthand.
The approaching championship stands as not only an intense sporting event but also as a chance for the players to solidify their legacies within the sport. The dedication shown by Loco Solare and other competing teams symbolizes the increased attention curling is receiving within Japan. With prior Olympic experiences fueling their ambition, the upcoming trials will set the stage for what is poised to be another exciting chapter in Japan’s curling narrative.
For Loco Solare, the goal is clear. “We aim to perform to the best of our abilities, and hopefully, we can see victory on the horizon,” Yoshida remarked confidently. Their dedication and familial bonds will be put to the test as they enter the fray once more, chasing their Olympic dreams.