Canada, USA on the podium

China captured another top spot on the World Wheelchair Curling Championship podium after defeating Canada 5-2 at the Richmond Curling Centre in Richmond, B.C.

Meanwhile, Latvia defeated the United States to win the second-ever World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles title.

The Chinese four-player team—skip Wang Haitao, third Zhang Shuaiyu, second Yang Jinqiao, lead Li Nana, with Zhang Mingliang and coach Li Jianrui—are the first to have their name on the new trophy, The Kate Caithness Salver.

With only single points traded in the first half, the four-player championship final was tied 2-2 after five ends. China had the opportunity to blank in the sixth end, but opted to draw for a single point and go up 3-2.

In the seventh end, Canada attempted to set up for their two points, but rolled out on a hit, leaving themselves with a blank end to have the last stone in the eighth and final end.

Canada fourth Jon Thurston faced a draw to the four-foot rings against multiple Chinese stones to tie the game, but came up light, giving China two stolen points and the win.

“We’re very excited!” said Zhang Shuaiyu. “This is my first time at a world championship so to get the gold medal makes me so happy."

This is China’s second consecutive gold medal, to go along with gold at both the 2018 and 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

Canada was led by skip and lead thrower Mark Ideson, backed by Thurston, third Ina Forrest, second Gil Dash, alternate Marie Wright and coach Mick Lizmore.

“The game just ended, so it’s tough,” said Thurston, whose team won bronze at Beijing 2022. “I just feel bad I couldn’t make that last shot to keep us in the game. Hats off to China, they played really well.

“It was amazing to play at home and to have so many friends and family across Canada cheering for us. It was a great competition. We’ll look back on this very proud.”

In bronze medal action, Sweden faced Scotland. Sweden led 3-0 after two ends, but in the third end, Scotland levelled the game with three points.

In the fourth end, Scotland extended their lead with a steal and kept momentum going to win by a 7-4 count.

Scotland was led by fourth thrower and third Gregor Ewan, backed by skip Hugh Nibloe, second Gary Logan, lead Joanna Butterfield, alternate Meggan Dawson-Farrell and coach Sheila Swan.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Logan. “I don’t know where to start. In 2019, we got the silver medal, so to just dig in there in the second half and do it feels great.”

During the medal ceremony, Stephen Emt of the United States was presented with the World Curling Federation’s Wheelchair Fair Play Award, which was voted for by his fellow competitors.

The award is given to the individual who, in the view of their fellow athletes, best exemplifies the traditional values of skill, honesty, fair play, and friendship during a world wheelchair championship.

In a close final game at the concurrent World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, Latvia prevailed as champions over United States by an 11-8 score line.

Latvia’s team of Polina Rozkova and Agris Lasmans, coached by Erkki Lill, held an early 5-1 lead after four ends. But with two scores of three points, the United States clawed back to trail 8-7.

In the eighth end, the U.S. duo of Pam Wilson and David Samsa—coached by Jessica Schultz—set up a perfect end, resulting in a steal to force the extra frame at 8-8.

Latvia had three stones buried behind cover in the extra end and Team USA couldn’t get to them, leaving Latvia with the victory.

“I’m feeling incredible,” said Rozkova. “I’m very happy and proud of myself and my teammate.

“I think that it’s a really great result for such a small country that doesn’t have many curling halls or much budget.”

“We played a fantastic team,” said USA’s Wilson.

“It was kind of back and forth—it was pretty exciting going into an extra end. I was a little bit inside on my last shot.

“This is Dave and (my) first time making it this far, so it’s been an amazing experience. We got better as the week went on, but all the teams we played were excellent.”

In bronze medal action, Canada faced off against China.

The Canadians—Collinda Joseph and Dennis Thiessen, coached by Dana Ferguson—opened with a score of five points, which China followed with four of their own.

The teams traded scores of three back and forth four times, until Canada ran China out of stones to win 13-11.

“You know what? It feels almost as good as the gold,” said Canada’s Dennis Thiessen.

“We had to really work hard for it, the score was up and down, up and down. But that last shot that Collinda made there to roll over, I figured no ‘this is it’.

“When you can play on your home turf with your family and friends, cheering us on loud like that, it’s awesome.”