The versatile dribbling has powered up
Adding strength to reach a new realmMF 33 Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
A special content introducing all the blue and red warriors challenging the 2024 season. What are the players, who are about to start the season, thinking and what determination do they have as they face the year? The stories of the players, who hold in their hearts their love for the club, their thirst for titles, their aspirations for success, and the roles they must fulfill──. Last season, as a rookie, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA shone a light on the future of blue and red with his powerful dribbling breakthroughs. In November, he scored a stunning goal that was selected as the Monthly Best Goal in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, making his name resonate throughout the J League. And in the new season, the strength training he worked on to improve his challenges will elevate him to the next level.
It's elusive... rather, by the time you realize it, you're left behind. This isn't about dribbling. It's about the growth rate of Kota TAWARATSUMIDA.
The versatile dribbling has its roots in a square located just a minute's walk from home. On holidays, a makeshift training ground is set up with markers lined up by his father. It is there that he has honed his skills.
"I practiced dribbling a lot, no matter what. I placed markers in the area and practiced dribbling close to top speed and dribbling with fine touches there. Whether it was regular practice, game situations, practice matches, or official matches, I was always dribbling whenever I had the ball."
From there, I continued to update, and it certainly resonated on the professional stage. However, the endless journey has only just begun. Last season, in my first season as a professional, I initially dominated, but gradually, countermeasures were taken, leading to situations where I was outnumbered and often overwhelmed by sheer force.
To prepare for the new battles ahead, I took on the challenge of body transformation this off-season. When the new year began, I appeared at Kodaira Ground with a thicker and larger physique. There must be a solid sense of accomplishment. The expression on my face when I said, 'I did strength training for my upper body, lower body, and entire body' was filled with confidence.
The results will show immediately. It was a moment during the practice match against FC Ryukyu, the first external match of the season, when the team was slightly at a disadvantage. Holding the ball on the left side of the midfield, he kicked the ball into the space ahead and surged forward at full throttle. After that, it was his stage. He powerfully pushed away the defender who tried to twist his body in front of him and shifted into a higher gear. In just three steps, he left them behind and made a central pass to set up the goal.
I felt a chill down my spine. After the match, with a cool expression, I said, "It was great. I broke through," and added more words.
"I think I've gained some power myself. I want to continue to be able to show this and be able to do it multiple times in matches. I'm no longer a first-year player, so I want to firmly secure my position as a key player and contribute to the team while keeping that in mind as I play."
It was an update that far exceeded expectations, but it didn't even allow for a moment of surprise. Tawaramizuta has already moved on to the next stage.
"I want to raise the level in everything and aim to surpass last season's numbers. As I mentioned in the new system announcement press conference, I want to focus on results and produce goals and assists."
This season, unpredictable improvisation that breaks the planned harmony will surely be performed. Moreover, it will be in a strongly upgraded form. This season, I will surely be grinning again at that dribbling.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
