[Women’s Curling] The Three-Way Battle on Ice for Olympic Glory

Winning in Japan is harder than winning in the world

“Golden Generation” Faces Fierce Competition in Japanese Curling

“It seems like people call us the ‘golden generation’ (laughs), but I think our generation is defined by relentless effort. I want to cherish that as I continue to play.”

These were the words of Loco Solare’s Satsuki Fujisawa (33) after securing victory in the opening match of the second qualifying round at the Japan Curling Championships on February 6 at Yokohama BUNTAI, her face beaming with a bright smile.

In sports, certain birth-year groups are often labeled as golden generations—like the ’88 Handkerchief Generation in baseball or the 2000 Generation in table tennis, featuring Hina Hayata and Miu Hirano. In curling, that title undoubtedly belongs to the 1991 Generation, led by Fujisawa. Her teammates, Chinami Yoshida (33) and Yuko Suzuki (33), who won bronze at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, were also born in 1991. Together, they have honed their skills through fierce competition, achieving remarkable success through what Fujisawa calls relentless effort

However, despite being strong contenders for the title, Loco Solare suffered a crushing defeat in the semifinals against Hokkaido Bank, ultimately finishing in third place.

Sports writer Soichiro Takeda, who has covered curling for over 15 years, analyzed the situation:

“Loco Solare’s performance wasn’t bad at all. Fujisawa’s genius shot-making was on full display. In the first qualifying round against Chubu Electric Power, during the fourth end, she pulled off a miraculous shot—placing the stone precisely in the center despite being at an overwhelming disadvantage with five opposing stones in play, securing a crucial point. The success rate of the other players’ shots was also high, meaning they weren’t necessarily in bad form. However, the level of competition has been rising rapidly. As Fujisawa herself said, ‘Winning in Japan is becoming harder than winning on the world stage.’ Japan is steadily becoming one of the world’s top curling nations.”

Three teams to challenge for the olympics representative contest

Fortius Claims Victory in Japan Curling Championships

The team that emerged victorious in this high-stakes tournament to determine Japan’s curling champion was Fortius.

In 2021, Fortius lost its main sponsor, Hokkaido Bank, and has since struggled financially off the ice. The team managed to stay afloat by dipping into savings, embarking on overseas tours, and utilizing crowdfunding to secure necessary funds. In a twist of fate, the team Fortius defeated in the championship final was none other than the newly established Hokkaido Bank Women’s Curling Team, founded by their former sponsor.

Leading Fortius is Sayaka Yoshimura (33), a member of the golden generation and the team’s skip (strategic leader). After giving birth to her first child in December 2023, she returned to competition this season following a year-long maternity leave.

“Yoshimura’s shot success rate in the Japan Championships was nearly 100%. Perhaps becoming a mother has strengthened her mentally, as she displayed remarkable stability. Additionally, overcoming the crisis of playing without their ace helped the other members grow significantly. During Yoshimura’s absence, Anna Omita (35), the team’s eldest player, served as a pillar of support, while Yuna Kotani (26) stepped in as skip. Another golden generation player, Kaho Onodera (33), was named MVP of the tournament. This collective strength is what makes Fortius so formidable,” explained sports writer Soichiro Takeda.

With their victory in the Japan Curling Championships, Fortius has secured a spot in the Olympic trials, scheduled for September in Wakkanai, Hokkaido. They will be joined by world-ranked powerhouse Loco Solare.

However, there is one more contender set to challenge for the Olympic berth: SC Karuizawa Club, last year’s Japan Curling Championship winner.

“Unlike the other two teams, Karuizawa does not have any players from the ‘golden generation.’ Their lineup consists of three young talents—skip Miyu Ueno (23), her younger sister Yui Ueno (22), and Asuika Kanai (23)—along with seasoned veteran Junko Nishimuro (44), who boasts 32 years of curling experience. It’s an unconventional yet intriguing mix,” noted a sports newspaper editor.

Golden Generation vs. Supernova

Unlike Fortius and Loco Solare, who have been competing for Olympic representation for many years, Karuizawa will be participating in the Olympic trials for the first time. While they lack experience, their potential for growth by September is limitless.

Which team will emerge victorious in the three-way battle on ice set to take place in September?

“Loco Solare is undoubtedly the frontrunner. Their ability to perform under pressure and their extensive experience in three consecutive Olympic trials will be a significant advantage in the high-stakes selection tournament.

For Fortius, the key will be whether Yoshimura, who was in top form in this tournament, can maintain her shot accuracy. Yoshimura has attempted to qualify for the Olympics four times since her teenage years but has yet to secure a spot. If she can finally achieve her long-held dream after failing as a high school and university student, now as a mother, it would be an incredible story. As for Karuizawa, if third player Yuki Ueno and lead Kanae can play with more confidence, they could become a real threat to the other two teams,” said Takeda.

Will it be Loco Solare, who has reached the Olympic podium in the past two tournaments? Fortius, who has overcome hardships and is riding a wave of momentum? Or Karuizawa, ready to shake up the scene? Seven months from now, the heated battle will ignite on the ice in Wakkanai.

From the March 7, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”