27 January 2026

Milano Cortina 2026: Team People’s Republic of China

In the lead up to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, we are featuring one National Olympic Committee (NOC) a day who will compete. Next is Team People’s Republic of China.

Team People’s Republic of China will be represented by two curling teams: Team Wang (women’s) and Team Xiaoming (men’s).

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It has been four years since China hosted the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games — albeit, under very different circumstances.

At the time, China was still navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel restrictions, closed venues and health protocols meant the Games had to unfold without spectators in attendance. But, for Milano Cortina 2026, the fans are back. So is too the women’s curling team, looking to make a push for the medals.

A team that has grown together

In Beijing, Han Yu — who had just made the transition from junior to senior — skipped the home rink to a seventh place finish, supported by her third Wang Rui. Last season, the pair swapped positions, with Wang becoming skip.

The change brought immediate success. A bronze medal at the 2024 Pan Continental Curling Championships set the tone, followed by a silver at the Asian Winter Games on home ice in Harbin. The breakthrough came at the 2025 World Women’s Curling Championship, where the team won another bronze.

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Meet the teams

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Momentum building towards Milano Cortina 2026

That form has only strengthened. This season, China won the 2025 Pan Continental Curling Championships and have followed it up with strong performances on tour in Canada. Confidence within this rink is unmistakably high.

“Returning to the Olympics, I carry an added sense of composure and conviction,” said Wang.

“I can focus more intently on executing tactics in every single end.

“Yet that original aspiration to bring glory to my country remains unchanged. The moment I step onto the ice, my sole desire is to give my best performance and to repay the nation for its nurturing and all those who support us.”

“Stepping onto the Olympic ice once more, the nervousness of a first-time competitor has faded, replaced by the calm assurance that comes with experience,” added Han.

“The long-standing chemistry with teammates remains intact, and every ice sweep, every stone delivered, carries greater confidence.”

Blending experience with youth

The team features a familiar core with fresh faces. They are joined by their returning second Dong Ziqi, as well as young debutants, lead Jiang Jiayi and Su Tingyu. With Wang, 30, the oldest member of the team, it is clear the nation’s development has worked well following their home Games. Grassroots development has been key to this, including creating a league system, which has boosted participation.

“Since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, curling has gained significant popularity in China,” said Wang.

“The most noticeable change is the growing number of people following the sport — whether through social media or offline events, more individuals are discovering and developing a passion for curling.

“At the same time, domestic curling venues and training facilities continue to upgrade, providing us with more professional training support.”

That support was delivered in tangible results at the 2025 World Championship. China emerged from the round-robin with a 7-5 record in fifth place, before facing Anna Hasselborg’s Sweden in the qualification game. Trailing heading into the final end, China score three to secure an 8-7 victory, which the skip said is “an experience I’ll never forget for the rest of my life”.

Han added they had practised such a scenario several times in training, feeling prepared for the challenge.

Sealing Olympic qualification

The bronze medal game proved less dramatic but just as important. China defeated Gim Eun-ji’s Korea 9-4 after impressively stealing three ends in a row — including for three in the final end. While standing on the podium was a proud moment for them, it meant even more — it confirmed them as the last automatic qualifiers for the Olympic Winter Games.

“The pressure was definitely there,” said Wang.

“It wasn’t just our team members — the entire Chinese team and everyone cheering for Chinese curling were watching. Standing on the ice, I could feel the weight of that responsibility.”

“But once we stepped onto the ice, winning or losing faded from our minds,” added Han.

“All we saw was each shot, each sweep of the ice.

“The eye contact between teammates became our greatest source of reassurance. The moment we won with that last shot, every taut nerve instantly relaxed.”

“After the victory, everyone embraced each other, crying and laughing at the same time,” said Su Tingyu.

“This was not only securing an Olympic qualification but also the best reward for the entire team’s long and arduous training.”

“From the World Championship to the Pan Continental Championships, and now preparing for Milano Cortina 2026, we’ve shared the exhilaration of turning the tide against the odds and weathered the lows after mistakes.”

Han Yu, Team People’s Republic of China

Looking ahead to Italy and carrying the legacy forward

That reward is a trip to a new country. Italy is a rare destination in the curling season, particularly for non-European teams. Wang is greatly interested in the country’s history and food, hoping to visit Rome and Florence during her stay. Han echoes these sentiments, while the less-experienced athletes are excited to just experience the Olympics for the first time. Jiang even adds she hopes to show the “tenacious spirit of the Chinese people”.

Tenacity has been a theme of the rink, but above all, there is a mutual trust and understanding meaning they can “execute plays seamlessly without needing many words”, as Wang puts it. It has been a long road since their host Olympics, and they have grown a lot since.

“From the World Championship to the Pan Continental Championships, and now preparing for Milano Cortina 2026, we’ve shared the exhilaration of turning the tide against the odds and weathered the lows after mistakes,” added Han.

“Every battle fought side by side deepens our understanding of each other.

“On the ice, we need no words — a glance tells us how to brush the ice or adjust tactics.

“Off the ice, we’re friends who review challenges together and cheer each other on.”

Now, we wait to see the legacy of Beijing in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

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Team People’s Republic of China stats

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