Before the Japan Curling Championships opened in Kitami City, Hokkaido on the 29th, participating teams such as Loco Solare, who are aiming for the second straight victory in women, made final adjustments at the venue of the tournament.
The Japan Curling Championships, which will start on the 29th in Kitami City, will be held without spectators to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
Nine men's and women's teams, including representatives from each block nationwide, participated in the tournament, and before the opening, each team held official practice at the venue to make final adjustments.
In the women's team, Loco Solare, who is based in Kitami City and won the silver medal at the Beijing Olympics last year, will be aiming for her second consecutive victory in her hometown.
Loco Solare became the first Japanese team to win the "Grand Slam", the highest tournament on the world tour, held in Canada this month.
The Loco Solare players threw stones one by one during the official practice to check their speed and the degree of curvature of the stones in preparation for the season opener.
Skip Satsuki Fujisawa expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "It's a high-pressure tournament, and I'm nervous, but I'm determined to enjoy it. I want to do my best while borrowing the power of my hometown."
On the other hand, the men's teams, including the defending champions SC Karuizawa Club, made adjustments such as checking the feel of the ice during official practice.
*Riku Yanagizawa, skip player of the SC Karuizawa club, said, "I want to remember the feelings of the challenger. I want to keep hitting basic shots and win firmly, and participate in the world championship."
The curling Japan Championship will start qualifying by league match from the 29th, and the final will be held on the 5th of next month.
The winning men's and women's teams will represent Japan in the World Championships.
NHK will broadcast live on BS1 from the 29th, when the qualifying starts, to the final on the 5th of next month.