Skip Sayaka Yoshimura and her Fortius rink have been confirmed as participants in the 2026 Karuizawa International, set for September 17-20 in Karuizawa, Japan, returning to the event as defending champions. Yoshimura claimed the 2024 Karuizawa title with a dramatic final-end score to edge out Sweden's Anna Hasselborg 5-4, and the squad arrives this September fresh off their debut Olympic appearance. Yoshimura led Japan to a berth at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games after defeating Norway 6-5 at the Olympic Qualification Event in Kelowna, capping a four-year climb back to the sport's biggest stage. The Sapporo-based Fortius team -- comprising third Kaho Onodera, second Yuna Kotani, lead Anna Ohmiya, and alternate Mina Kobayashi -- is a three-time Japan national champion, and will look to reclaim the Karuizawa title on familiar ice before what promises to be a busy 2026-27 season. As a Grand Slam of Curling Satellite Event, the winner earns an invitation to a Grand Slam, adding further stakes to what is already one of Japan's premier international competitions.