As the physical demands of modern football continue to rise, tracking player movement data has become essential for identifying top-performing young talents. Leveraging the advanced capabilities of the Comparisonator Physical Module, we’ve analyzed the Japan J1 League to spotlight the best U23 players across three critical physical parameters during the 2025 season so far.
This detailed analysis equips clubs, scouts, and analysts with valuable insights into emerging athletes whose physical performances set them apart on the pitch. Powered by AI and extracted from broadcast data, these metrics provide accurate and contextual benchmarks for player evaluation.
In the Sprinting Distance category—tracking movement between 20-25 km/h—Kota Tawaratsumida leads the rankings, demonstrating consistent high-tempo involvement. Sen Takagi tops the charts in Total Distance covered, emphasizing his exceptional endurance and work rate. Meanwhile, Yota Komi excels in Running Distance, showcasing his explosiveness and frequent high-speed runs exceeding 20 km/h.
These findings not only highlight Japan’s next generation of talent but also reinforce the strategic value of physical analytics in recruitment and squad building. Stay tuned as we continue to reveal more data-driven standouts throughout the season.
Please note that all numbers are per 90 min data from the 2024/25 Season – So Far.
Total Distance
Sen Takagi’s CompaGPT Physicals report:
Sen Takagi ranks 1st with an average of 10,277.82 meters per match, surpassing Riku Handa who covers 9,852.3 meters. This indicates Sen’s exceptional stamina and ability to remain active throughout the game, making him an asset for maintaining pressure and coverage across the pitch. Tactically, his endurance can be utilized to sustain high-intensity pressing or support continuous overlapping runs from defensive to attacking positions. Sen ranks 2nd with 641.45 meters, close to Taiga Hata’s 686.72 meters. This reflects his capacity for extensive coverage early in matches, useful for establishing defensive dominance and control. His ability to cover ground quickly can be advantageous for teams employing a fast-paced, aggressive defensive strategy from the outset.
Sen Takagi’s standout performances in Total Distance Covered, particularly in the second half, underscore his exceptional stamina and work rate. These attributes are invaluable for sustaining high-pressure defensive strategies and supporting offensive plays through continuous movement. While his high-speed and sprinting capabilities in the latter stages of matches could benefit from enhancement, addressing these areas may further elevate his contribution to both defensive solidity and attacking transitions.
Sen Takagi (’02) (LB) – Shimizu S-Pulse
Sprinting Distance
Kota Tawaratsumida’s CompaGPT Physicals report:
Kota Tawaratsumida excelled in Sprinting Distance, leading with an average of 219.55 meters per match, placing him 1st among his peers. This is marginally ahead of the second-best performer, Sota Kitano, who averaged 217.38 meters. This indicates Kota’s consistent ability to cover ground quickly, a critical asset for transitions and counter-attacks. His top ranking in Sprinting Distance during the 2nd Half (131.46 meters) further highlights his stamina and endurance, making him a valuable asset in maintaining pressure throughout the match.
Kota Tawaratsumida’s standout performance in Sprinting Distance and Max Speed showcases his exceptional physical capabilities, particularly in maintaining high intensity and speed throughout matches. His ability to lead these metrics indicates strength in areas critical for dynamic play and strategic positioning. However, there is room for improvement in total and running distances during the first half, suggesting a focus on initial match engagement could enhance his overall influence on the game.
Kota Tawaratsumida (’04) (AMF) – Tokyo
Running Distance
Yota Komi’s CompaGPT Physicals report:
Komi also leads in running distance with 1333.17 meters per match, slightly ahead of Sato’s 1317.27 meters. This shows his ability to maintain a high level of activity, crucial for sustaining attacks and supporting defensive transitions. Tactically, this implies he could thrive in a role that demands frequent involvement in both offensive and defensive phases. Yota Komi ranks first among his peers, covering an average of 8942.29 meters per match. This surpasses the next best performer, Ryunosuke Sato, with 8739.52 meters. This indicates exceptional stamina and work rate, suggesting he can be utilized effectively in high-intensity pressing systems or in roles requiring extensive coverage across the pitch.
Yota Komi excels in total and running distances, particularly notable for his performance in the second half of matches, indicating high stamina and consistent work rate. However, there is potential for improvement in high acceleration and deceleration counts, which could enhance his explosive capabilities and agility. With his strengths, Komi might be best utilized in roles demanding extensive coverage and sustained intensity, while focusing on improving explosive movements could further refine his tactical impact.
Yota Komi (’02) (RW) – Kashiwa Reysol
