Japan, Korea earn wins in Paralympic debuts

Yoji Nakajima led his Japanese team to a 9-6 win over Italy in the country’s debut at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in round robin action Saturday night at the Vancouver Olympic Centre.

Japan, which features a 75-year-old “youngster” at the second position, allowed Italy’s Andrea Tabanelli to score three points in the first end but countered with six points over the next three ends and never lost the lead.

Korea, which lost earlier today to the U.S., bounced back to earn its first win as well in the country’s first Paralympic appearance. Haksung Kim led a balanced attack to defeat Sweden, 8-4, to improve to 1-1.

Canada’s Jim Armstrong rink dominated Augusto Perez and Team USA for a 10-5 win to keep its perfect record intact. Armstrong’s Canadians capitalized on key opportunities to steal multiple ends and build a lead that proved insurmountable for the Americans.

Norway’s Rune Lorentsen rink rebounded from a tough loss in the first draw to defeat Michael McCreadie’s Great Britain squad, 7-5. Norway, winner of two previous world wheelchair titles, fell behind early but too command in the third end and scored a key deuce in the final frame to earn the win.

Game scores:
Canada 10, USA 5; Japan 9, Italy 6; Korea 8, Sweden 4; Norway 7, Great Britain 5

Standings:
Canada 2-0
Germany 1-0
Japan 1-0
Switzerland 1-0
Norway 1-1
USA 1-1
Korea 1-1
Italy 0-1
Great Britain 0-2
Sweden 0-2