Tabata Steals Another Title

Japan's Momoha Tabata won 7-5 over countrymate Satsuki Fujisawa in Saville Shootout Final. For the second straight weekend, Tabata and Fujisawa faced each other in the final of a major event, with the same result. In Kitami, Japan, last weekend, Tabata stole a single point on Fujisawa to win the ArgoGraphic Cup, and now again, in Monday's Saville Shootout final, Tabata, this time trailing by a point, stole 3 in the last end to win 7-5. Tabata throws fourth stones for the team based out of the Hokkaido Bank Curling Club in Sapporo. Miku Nihara calls the game and throws third stones, and Sae Yamamoto and Mikoto Nakajima are on the front end. Both teams came into the game with identical record, meaning the last shot draw challenge was used to determine hammer in the first end. With that hammer, Fujisawa got off to a strong start, scoring three in the first end. Tabata came back with two points in the second end, then stole a point in the third end to even the score at three each. Fujisawa stole a single point in the sixth end to push the advantage to two points, getting the all-important force in the seventh end to come home with a hammer and a one-point lead.

"What a fantastic curling shot! My oh, my!" - @DaveSchmel on the call.

VIDEO: Tabata's last rock setting up her steal of three for the Saville Shootout win. #curling

Two weekends in a row for Tabata, stealing on Fujisawa for the title win.

Game Replay on YouTube:… pic.twitter.com/u6f7hGjAjG

- CurlingZone (@CurlingZone) September 11, 2024

In the final end, Tabata tapped a counting Fujisawa stone through a small hole to lie three counting points around the four-foot area. Fujisawa's last shot was tight and heavy - the sweepers had to sweep for line - that when it rubbed the top scoring rock needed to avoid, the momentum still carried the last rock beyond the scoring range. Tabata's team was jubilant in celebration, having stolen yet another win from Japan's top-ranked team. The depth of curling on the Japanese circuit continues to grow, with so many teams capable of being the winner each weekend. The #12-world-ranked Fujisawa had to face Ikue Kitazawa (#20) of Nagano prefecture in the semifinals, winning that game 9-3. None of these teams were the Japanese champions last season; Miyu Ueno (#30) of Karuizawa won that title. Sayaka Yoshimura (#22) of Sapporo reached the quarterfinals at the Stu Sells Oakville Tankard. The now 15th-ranked Tabata defeated Winnipeg's Kaitlyn Lawes in the other semifinal matchup. Tabata's rise has been quick, starting the season ranked 30th-overall, where all but Yamamoto played in last year's World Junior Championship in Lohja, Finland, taking the Silver medal. Yamamoto had aged out of juniors, but competed on tour with the team in adult events and continues with the team. Yuina Miura joined the junior team at second in helping the team return with a silver medal for Japan. The gold medalist, Xenia Schwaller, also won this weekend on Tour, taking the Stu Sells Oakville Tankard. Kitazawa defeated Gimli's Kerri Einarson 5-1 in the quarterfinals, while Fujisawa defeated Myla Plett of Edmonton 9-5. Lawes won 6-5 over Edmonton's Gracelyn Richards, and Tabata defeated Korea's Eun-ji Gim 8-5. Tabata finished 4-1 in the 20-team pools round-robin qualifying round. In their opening game, Tabata defeated Jessica McCartney (Saskatoon, SK) 9-2, then lost 4-3 against Gim. Tabata responded with a 10-8 win over Jolene Campbell (Regina, SK). Tabata won 8-1 against Kate Cameron (St. Adolphe, MB), then 9-2 against Robyn Silvernagle (Sexsmith, AB) in their final qualifying round match.