Korea and United States are World Junior 2026 Champions

The final day of the World Junior Curling Championships in Taarnby saw the women’s medal games played in the morning session, followed by the men’s medal games in the afternoon.

Women’s competition

In the women’s gold medal game, Sweden faced Korea, marking a second World Junior final appearance for both skips. For Korea, it was also an opportunity to secure back-to-back titles.

Korea opened with three in the first end, before Sweden responded with two in the second. The teams then exchanged two points apiece in the third and fourth ends. The turning point came in the fifth, when a precise take-out by skip Kang Bobae allowed Korea to score five and build a 10-4 advantage.

Lee Yousun and Shim Yujeong, Korea © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

Sweden continued to apply pressure, scoring one in the sixth and two in the eighth, but Korea answered with three in the ninth to confirm a 14-7 victory.

Following the win, Korean skip Kang Bobae said, “I’m so happy to be the champion two years in a row. This is my last junior year, so I’m very proud of this victory.”

Team Korea celebrate their gold medal win © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

In the women’s bronze medal game, United States met China.

China took control early, scoring two in the first end, adding three in the third and stealing one in the fourth to lead 6-3 at the break. A further two points in the sixth extended China’s advantage, and although the Americans responded with a single, they were unable to close the gap. China secured the bronze medal with an 11-4 win, with the game concluding after nine ends.

Dong Shihan and Mu Jiayin, China © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

Afterwards, Chinese skip Wang Zhuoyi said, “I’m very excited and happy. Before every stone, we think about what we need to do, and we encourage each other. I appreciate my coach and my amazing teammates.”

The women’s gold medallist Korean team are skip Kang Bobae, third Shim Yujeong, second Lee Boyoung, lead Lee Yousun and alternate Park Yealynn, supported by their coach Kwon Young Il.

The women’s silver medallist Swedish team are skip Moa Dryburgh, third Moa Tjaernlund, second Thea Orefjord, lead Maja Roxin and alternate Erika Ryberg, supported by their coach James Dryburgh.

The women’s bronze medallist Chinese team are skip Wang Zhuoyi, third Mu Jiayin, second Chen Zaoxue, lead Dong Shihan and alternate Liu Chenxi, supported by their coach Kim Jisun.

All of the women’s medal winners © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

Men’s competition

In the men’s gold medal game, United States met reigning champions Italy. The opening half was tight, with the Americans holding a 5-3 lead at the fifth end break.

United States added a steal of one in the sixth and two more points in the eighth to extend their advantage to 8-4. Italy responded with two in the ninth but were unable to recover further and conceded at 8-6, confirming United States as gold medallists.

Jack Wendtland, United States © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

Following the victory, United States skip Caden Hebert said, “We worked so hard. It’s incredibly exciting for our future and right now in the moment, it’s pretty incredible.”

Team United States celebrate their gold medal win © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

In the men’s bronze medal game, Canada faced Scotland in a closely contested match. The teams traded two-point scores through the opening five ends to keep the game level. Scotland edged ahead in the sixth with a steal of one, before Canada responded with a single in the seventh.

A two-point score in the eighth gave Scotland a 9-5 advantage heading into the final ends. In the tenth, Scotland faced a hit for the win, needing to remove one of two Canadian stones in the house. The shot was executed successfully, securing the bronze medal.

Orrin Carson, Scotland © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

After the game, Scottish skip Orrin Carson said, “We’re still a bit disappointed from last night, but all in all it’s great to come away with a medal after so much hard work.”

The men’s gold medallist United States team are skip Caden Hebert, third Jackson Bestland, second Benji Paral, lead Jack Wendtland and alternate Daniel Laufer, supported by their coach Michael Peplinski.

The men’s silver medallist Italian team are skip Stefano Spiller, third Stefano Gilli, second Andrea Gilli, lead Cesare Spiller and alternate Francesco Vigliani, supported by their coach Wolfgang Burba.

The men’s bronze medallist Scottish team are skip Orrin Carson, third Logan Carson, second Archie Hyslop, lead Charlie Gibb and alternate Fraser Swanston, supported by their coach Alan Hannah.

All of the men’s medal winners © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

World Curling Junior Sportsmanship Awards

Sportsmanship awards were also presented during the medal ceremony. For the women, the award went to Korea’s Lee Yousun, and for the men, the award went to United States’ Caden Hebert.

These awards are given to athletes, voted by their fellow competitors, that have best exemplified the traditional values of skill, honesty, fair play, sportsmanship and friendship during the world championships.