Japan’s Yoshimura qualifies for Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games 2026

Japan became the first team of the Olympic Qualification Event to claim a place in the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games after beating Norway, 6-5 in the first play-off game.

Norway will have a second chance to earn their ticket as they now drop down to face United States in the final play-off game on Thursday.

In the second end, with Norway leading by 1-0, Japan skip Yoshimura Sayaka played a draw to open her team’s scoring with two points, for a 2-1 lead.

Team Norway © World Curling / Stephen Fisher

However, Norway responded straightaway in the third when their fourth player Kristin Skaslien played a take-out for two, 3-2.

Japan levelled at 3-3 in the fourth and then in the fifth Norway’s Skaslien came up short to give a steal of one and a 4-3 lead to Japan. Skaslien then made amends in the sixth, with a hit to score one and level the game at 4-4.

The seventh was blanked and then, in the eighth, Japan’s Yoshimura played a draw into the four-foot ring, to score one point and move onto a 5-4 lead.

In the ninth, with Japan now leading by 5-4, Norway’s Skaslien had an opportunity for two but was light, heading to the final end tied at 5-5.

As the last stone was played, Japan was sitting one when Norway’s Skaslien came up short and Japan won by 6-5 without having to play their last stone.

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Yoshimura said, “I’m so happy, that was a tough game. At the end when we got that victory, I felt we had done everything that we could to win, so I’m just so happy!”

“We had a good performance there, and we’ve maintained a good position throughout the week. We’ve prepared very well and we’ve shown everything that we’ve prepared for and fought all the way”.

Japan celebrations © World Curling / Stephen Fisher

The Japanese team consists of Skip: Yoshimura Sayaka, Third: Onodera Kaho; Second and Vice-Skip: Kotani Yuna, Lead: Ohmiya Anna, Alternate: Kobayashi Mina and Coach: Funayama Yumie.