Even at 1.40 meters, Towa Matsubara managed to stand out at the recent Japan Curling Championships. And not just because, at age 11, he was the youngest player at the event.
Matsubara, a fifth-grade elementary school student, made his national-level debut as a member of Team Iwate at the tournament held Feb. 8-14 in Wakkanai, Hokkaido.
Standing chest-level with teammates in their 40s, Matsubara performed like a seasoned pro, calling out directions in a voice that was as loud -- and perhaps an octave or two higher -- as anyone else on the rink as it reverberated throughout the hall.
While there was no lack of determination, Team Iwate failed to win any of its six matches in the round-round preliminary round in the tournament in which Hokkaido's Consadole successfully defended its title.
Still, Matsubara treasured the experience. "It was disappointing to lose all of our matches, but I'm glad I got to see the top curlers live," the youngster said.
Born in Morioka, Matsubara followed his older sister into the sport and began competing two years ago with a local youth team.
"I like sweeping and the communication with my teammates," he said on why the sport appeals to him.
Despite his short history of match experience, Matsubara filled the position of third in the lineup in Wakkanai. "His form for throwing the stone is as nice as anyone else," said skip Kenji Tomabechi, a four-time national champion in mixed doubles. "He has a good sense [for the sport]. With sweeping, he can do it after only being told once or twice."
With each match in this year's championships, his voice became more emphatic and he showed how he is growing as a competitor.
Matsubara is dreaming big for his future in the sport, saying his goal is "to go to the Olympics and finish among the top teams." His hero is Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi of Nagano's SC Karuizawa Club, who competed for Japan at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
But first things first. "First of all, I want to win a match at the Japan Championships," said the rising star.
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