A fluid and versatile dribbler's pursuit of
his full comeback and a goal that leads to victory
MF 33 Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
Introducing all the blue and red warriors taking on the 2026 Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League in 'PLAYERS FILE 2026.' What thoughts do the players hold, and with what resolve are they preparing to face the year ahead, especially with the special half-season tournament approaching?
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who made his long-cherished debut for the Japan national team from a young age, rapidly broadened his horizons. Even though he struggled to produce visible statistics, he steadily learned, organized his thoughts, and kept looking forward. What is the blue and red-raised attacker, aiming to return from an injury sustained late in the season, focusing on for the 2026 season? And what image does he envision of himself on the pitch?
The fluid and 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 many things," and proceeded to list those experiences one by one.
"At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t very good at receiving the ball in the center, but after playing as a shadow striker, I think I gradually increased what I could do. Joining the Japan national team taught me about the intensity of play, and toward the end of the season, my scoring patterns also gradually increased. I believe it was a year in which I took on various challenges and was able to organize my thoughts."
At the beginning of the season, he shifted his position from his main area, the left wing, to the center and continued to experiment. He was also selected for the Japan national team for the first time, confirming his current standing and the image he should aim for. In this way, he steadily progressed and began to grasp a playing style that combined runs behind the defense with his strong dribbling skills. However, just at that moment, he suffered an injury. Although he had to forfeit the end of the season, he said he viewed even that time as "a chance to rebuild my body" and kept looking forward.
"I have thought of this as a good opportunity to reflect on myself. First, I am focused on not letting the injury recur and coming back stronger than I was before getting hurt."
I might face obstacles again in the future. Even so, he says, "I always want to face myself honestly."
"I have clearly come to understand what I lack. I have gradually grasped the feeling of scoring and getting into the goal area. I believe this is because I have faced myself honestly. Nothing starts unless you try. There is no other way but to keep going, and if you don’t, you’ll just end up worrying. It’s tough, but it will definitely benefit me. I feel like I’m about to grasp that sense, so I want to seize it and show a more leveled-up version of myself."
This is his fourth professional season. He has consistently appeared in matches since his rookie year. Because of that, as the years have passed, he has come to strongly desire scoring goals that lead the team to victory.
"When I return, I want to be more conscious of scoring than ever before. Last season, I often chose to pass, so I want to work on shooting after cutting inside and surprising the opponent. I need to come up with various ideas for that."
Expressing the accumulated energy and crafted image on the pitch. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA spends a period of quiet preparation to fulfill his aspirations, vows to soar high, and continues to challenge with an unwavering attitude.
The fluid and versatile dribbler leaves behind an archive of goals filled with surprise and excitement.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
