8 March 2026
Big wins for Japan, Latvia and United States in wheelchair mixed doubles at Milano Cortina 2026
A single session of wheelchair mixed doubles curling was held at the Paralympic Winter Games on Sunday.
Estonia versus Japan
2025 world champions Japan and bronze medallists Estonia both had a 2W-3L record before their encounter. The Estonians started the game strong and were leading 3-0 after three. In the fourth, Ogawa Aki tapped out an Estonian stone from the four-foot to score three and tie the game, 3-3.
Japan stole single points in the next two ends for a 5-3 lead after six. In the seventh, Katlin Riidebach was unsuccessful with her last draw attempt and Estonia gave up another three. At this point, Estonia conceded defeat with an 8-3 final result.
After their win, Japan’s Nakajima Yoji said, “We tried to be more aggressive than in the previous games, and it worked.”
His teammate, Ogawa Aki added, “In the morning, we knew we needed to win two games, so this one was a big win for us.”
Latvia versus Republic of Korea
2023 world champions Latvia had started the competition with three straight losses and followed that up with two wins ahead of this game, while Team Korea were on a won three, lost two record.
The teams were tied at 2-2 after four. After trading single points in the next three ends, Team Korea were leading, 4-3. In the eighth end, Latvia’s Polina Rozkova needed a perfect draw to score two points and win the game. She did just that and Latvia picked up their third win of the week.
After the game, Rozkova said, “It was an equal game. We had enough time and we could go and look at the situation in the house and the stone positioning was so nice that we knew what we should do. This win means that if tomorrow we win, we have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals.”
United States of America versus Italy
United States (2W-3L) were in need of a victory to keep their play-off hopes alive when they met hosts Italy (1W-4L). The Americans had a great second end, scored four and were leading 4-1 after two. Italy scored two with Power Play in the fifth to reduce their deficit to a single point. By the eighth end, United States were leading, 6-5. In that end Italy’s Orietta Berto couldn’t remove the shot American stone with her last, which resulted in a steal of one and a 7-5 win for United States.
Afterwards, a delighted Stephen Emt said, “It must have been the most fun I’ve ever had at a curling match.”
Regarding the impact of the loud Italian crowd on their game, his teammate Laura Dwyer said, “I just listen to the crowd and pretend they are all cheering for me. Because it’s gonna be there, why fight it? Just ride it!”
Great Britain versus People’s Republic of China
In the last game of the session, already qualified People’s Republic of China met Great Britain. The Brits scored three in the first and two in the third end for a 5-1 lead after three.
Team China called for Power Play in the fourth and put two on the board to reduce their deficit to two points at the break. In the second half, Team China switched gears and stole seven points in the next three ends for a 10-5 lead after seven. At this point, Great Britain conceded the game.
On Monday, wheelchair curling action continues with two mixed team sessions and one mixed doubles draw.
Follow the live scores from the wheelchair mixed teams at Milano Cortina 2026 here.
Follow the live scores from the wheelchair mixed doubles at Milano Cortina 2026 here.
Find the full wheelchair curling schedule and results here.
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