A fluid dribbler's desire
A goal that leads to complete recovery and victory
MF 33 Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
Introducing all the Blue-Red warriors participating in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League 2026 season in 'PLAYERS FILE 2026.' What kind of thoughts do the players hold, and with what determination are they preparing to face the special half-season tournament and the year ahead?
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who made his long-cherished debut for the Japan national team from a young age, rapidly broadened his horizons. Even though he has struggled to produce visible statistics, he has steadily learned, organized his thoughts, and kept looking forward. The attacker raised in the blue and red, aiming to return from an injury sustained late in the season, is looking ahead to the 2026 season. What is he aiming for? And what image does he envision of himself on the pitch?
The versatile dribbler gained a lot of learning. At the same time, he sought answers while struggling and suffering. That might have been Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's 2025 season.
He said, "I think it was a season where I was able to experience various things," and counted off those experiences one by one.
"At the beginning of the season, I wasn't very good at receiving the ball in the center, but by playing as a shadow, I think I gradually increased what I could do. Joining the Japan national team allowed me to learn about the intensity of play, and towards the end of the season, my scoring patterns also gradually increased. For me, it was a year in which I took on various challenges and was able to organize my thoughts."
At the beginning of the season, instead of playing in his main position on the left wing, he moved to the center and continued to experiment. He was also selected for the Japan national team for the first time, confirming his current status and the image he aims for. In this way, he steadily progressed and began to grasp a playing style that combined runs behind the defense with his specialty dribbling. However, just at that moment, he suffered an injury. Although he had to miss the end of the season, he said he viewed that time as "a chance to build up my body," always looking ahead.
"I thought it was a good opportunity to reflect on myself. First, I am focused on not re-injuring myself and coming back stronger than I was before the injury."
Ahead, you may encounter obstacles again. Even so, he says, "I always want to face myself honestly."
"I have clearly understood what I am lacking. I have gradually gotten a feel for scoring and getting into the goal area. I believe this is because I have faced myself honestly. Nothing starts unless you try. The only way is to keep doing it, and if you don't, you'll just end up worrying. It's tough, but it will definitely benefit me. I feel like I can grasp the sense, so I want to seize it and show a more improved version of myself."
This is his fourth professional season. He has consistently appeared in matches since his rookie year. Because of that, with each passing year, he has come to strongly desire goals that lead the team to victory.
"When I return, I want to be more focused on scoring than ever before. Last season, I often chose to pass, so I want to work on taking shots after cutting inside and surprising the opponents. I need to come up with various strategies for that."
Expressing the accumulated energy and crafted image on the pitch. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA spends a period of patience to fulfill his wishes, vows to soar high, and continues to challenge with an unwavering attitude.
A fluid dribbler leaves behind a goal filled with surprise and excitement in the archive.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
