 Japan's Ikue Kitazawa (Photo: Grand Slam of Curling) defeated Scotland's Rebecca Morrison 6-5 to claim the AMJ Masters Tier 2 title in London, Ontario. By Connor Simms, #16 Ikue Kitazawa with Seina Nakajima at third, Minori Suzuki and Hasumi Ishigooka on the front end, were perfect at the AMJ Masters Tier 2 event this week. This is their third Tier 2 event; they also competed in two Tier 1 events last season. While they missed the playoffs in both Tier 1 events, Kitazawa made the playoffs in both Tier 2 events, losing in the quarterfinals each time. This week, they were in London, Ontario, at the AMJ Masters Tier 2 event. Kitazawa went 4-0 through the round-robin, claiming the top seed. In their opening game, they defeated Ontario's Emma Artichuk 12-1, then took down Switzerland's Corrie Huerlimann 6-5 and Scotland's Fay Henderson 6-3. In their final round robin match, they defeated British Columbia's Corryn Brown 9-5. In the quarter-finals, they defeated Minnesota's Tabitha Peterson 5-3, then in the semi-finals, they took down Denmark's Madeline Dupont 6-1. This set up a match with Scotland's Olympic team, Rebecca Morrison. Morrison's rink consists of Jennifer Dodds at third, Sophie Sinclair and Sophie Jackson on the front end. Kitazawa started with the hammer due to their better round robin record (4-0). After running the stones up and down for a blank in the first end, Kitazawa opened the scoring with a hit and stick for their deuce. Morrison quickly responded with a deuce of their own, making a draw to the side of the four-foot. In the fourth end, Kitazawa was unable to draw to the side of the button for two, settling for their single. Morrison secured a tie in the fifth frame, going for a tap-in worth two; however, the shot was unsuccessful, leading to only one point. Kitazawa attempted a spinner on their final shot of the sixth end, but failed, allowing Morrison to steal a point. Kitazawa hit their rock really thin to score two points in the seventh end. Morrison made an in-off on her final shot of the eighth end to take their only point, forcing an extra end. Kitazawa played a perfect end, nailing the eight-foot on her last to take the 6-5 victory. This win marks their first career slam title. Since they are currently sitting at #16 in the world, Kitazawa currently sits in a prime position to make the ext grand slam of curling in Nisku, Alberta. Their next event will be the Stu Sells Toronto Tankard from October 1st-6th in Toronto, Ontario. |
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Japan's Ikue Kitazawa (Photo: Grand Slam of Curling) defeated Scotland's Rebecca Morrison 6-5 to claim the AMJ Masters Tier 2 title in London, Ontario.
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