16 March 2025
Japan crowned World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling champions
Hosts Scotland played Japan in the gold medal game of the World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2025 in the Auchenharvie Leisure Centre in Stevenston, Scotland.
In the first end, Japan stole a single when Scotland’s Charlotte McKenna was slightly heavy with her last draw attempt. In the second, McKenna made a perfect take-out to score two. 2-1 for Scotland.
In the third, Japan’s Ogawa Aki had a draw for three, which she executed perfectly. McKenna’s last shot in the fourth didn’t work out the way she planned it, and Scotland gave up a single steal. 5-2 for Japan at the break.
In the fifth end, McKenna’s last draw attempt came up heavy and Scotland gave up a steal of three. 8-2 for Japan after five. In the sixth, McKenna came up short with her last to give up another steal of three. At this point, Scotland conceded the game and Japan became the 2025 world champions with an 11-2 final result.
Right after the final, Nakajima Yoji said, “Right now, I can’t believe that we did it. Maybe I’ll believe it when I’ll have the medal around my neck.”
Ogawa Aki added, “I share his feelings, I was excited throughout the game. Last year we missed out on a medal, but we trained harder and we made it.”
Their second coach, 2022 world junior champion Ogihara Eri said, “I’m so happy that I met Niall [Ryder, Scotland’s coach] in the final as we became junior world champions at the same time. It was an amazing opportunity for me to coach this team, and I did what I could do. I’m so happy for them.”
Silver medallist Hugh Nibloe talked about his feelings after the final saying, “Annoyed. It’s one of those, you come off the ice, I wish I’d played better. But later, when I reflect on the week, I’ll be delighted. It’s just a post-game feeling that you had the opportunity, but didn’t get it. But it’s been a good week for us overall.”
The gold medallist Japanese team are female player Ogawa Aki and male player Nakajima Yoji, supported by their coach Iino Akiko.
The silver medallist Scottish team are female player Charlotte McKenna and male player Hugh Nibloe, supported by their coach Niall Ryder.
Find all the results from the championship here.
The final standings are available here.
At the conclusion of the world championship, the final Paralympic Qualification Points were awarded. The 8 National Paralympic Committees who have qualified for the Wheelchair Curling Mixed Doubles Event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, have now been confirmed.
The qualified teams, in alphabetical order, are:
China
Estonia
Great Britain (Scotland)*
Italy**
Japan
Korea
Latvia
United States
A full breakdown of the Qualification Points and the qualification process can be found here.
*Points for Great Britain are gained by Scotland at World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championships.
** Italy as the host of the Paralympic Winter Games 2026 are guaranteed qualification.
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