Dribbling with unlimited variations has been powered up
Adding strength to reach new heightsMF 33 Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
Special content introducing the all-blue-red warriors who will challenge the 2024 season. What are the players thinking and what kind of determination are they approaching the year with as they prepare for the opening? The players' stories, filled with club love, thirst for titles, aspirations for success, and the roles they must fulfill. Last season, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who shone a light on the future of blue and red with his powerful dribbling breakthroughs as a rookie. In November, he was chosen as the best goal of the month in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, making his name resound throughout the entire J League. And in the new season, the muscle training he has been working on to improve his weaknesses will push him to the next level.
There's no way to grasp it... In fact, by the time you realize it, it's already left behind. This is not about dribbling. It's about Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's growth rate.
The versatile dribble has its roots in a square within a 1-minute walk from my home. On holidays, my father and I would set up markers to create an impromptu practice area. That's where I honed my skills.
"I practiced dribbling a lot. I placed markers on the field and practiced dribbling at top speed and with small touches. Whether it was during regular practice, game simulations, practice matches, or official games, I always dribbled whenever I had the ball."
From there, I repeated updates and it certainly worked on the professional stage. However, the endless journey has only just begun. In the first professional season, we showed great power in the early stages, but gradually we were forced into a disadvantageous situation and there were also scenes where we were crushed by brute force.
In preparation for the upcoming battle, I challenged myself to a physical transformation this off-season. When the new year arrived, I appeared at the Kokura Ground with a body that had grown thicker and one size larger. I must have a strong sense of confidence. The expression on my face as I said, "I did muscle training for my upper and lower body," was full of confidence.
The results will be immediately apparent. It was a moment of struggle for the team in the practice match against FC Ryukyu, the first away match of the season. He held the ball on the left side of the midfield, kicked it forward into the space with a pawn and advanced at full throttle. After that, it was a one-man show. He powerfully pushed away the defender who was trying to twist his body in front of him, and stepped up his gear. In just three steps, he left the defender behind and set up a goal by turning back to the center.
My spine shivered. After the game, with a cool expression, he said, "It was good. I broke through," and repeated his words.
"I think I have gained power myself. I want to continue to be able to produce this and be able to play many games. I am not a first-year player, so I want to firmly win the position as a mainstay and contribute to the team. I want to play with the mindset of contributing to the team."
It was an update that far exceeded my imagination, but it didn't even give me a chance to be surprised. Tawarazumida has already moved on to the next stage.
"I want to improve in all aspects and go beyond last season's numbers. As I mentioned at the new system announcement, I want to focus on results and produce a lot of goals and assists."
This season, too, there will be unpredictable improvisation that will break the expected harmony. And it will be performed in a powerful and upgraded form. I'm sure I'll be amazed again this season by that dribble.
Text by Koji Baba (Freelance Writer)
