The road to redemption for China's wheelchair curling team

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How China’s wheelchair curling team relish retribution after PyeongChang 2018 saw them capture the country's first-ever Winter Paralympic medal. Four years ago, China narrowly missed out on the podium at Sochi 2014 when skip Wang Haitao was heavy with his last rock in the eighth end, losing 4-5 in the semifinal to Canada, who went on to win their third-straight Paralympic gold.

However, this time around, redemption was sweet with the semifinal offering a rematch against Canada. China’s Wang Haitong was confronted by the same last shot in the eighth yet again, for the win with the teams tied 3-3. But he didn’t flinch, and playing a tough tap between two Canadian stones in the four-foot, the team advanced to the final against Norway to rewrite history.

The Chinese team took an extra end to defeat world champion Norway 6-5, recording an outstanding win-loss figure of 9-2 in the round robin and taking the country’s first gold medal in the sport. This was also the first time a country other than Canada has won gold in Paralympic wheelchair curling since the sport was first introduced at Turin games in 2006.

"We just cheered each other on throughout the game and I tried to do my best. Maybe that's the reason why we could get the gold medal,” Wang said. “China, my country, is very important for me, so hearing the national anthem (from the victory podium) was a very special moment.”

Canadian Dennis Thiessen delivers a stone during a wheelchair curling game against China at Sochi Winter Paralympic Games 2014 /Reuters photo

The victory bounced China into the number one spot of the world ranking for wheelchair curling, surpassing Canada, in second, by a staggering 70 points. It will also inevitably trigger discussion as to whether this is the start of things to come as focus turns to Beijing for the next Winter Paralympics in 2022.

“Though we won gold, the moment has passed and a new training period has begun. We will have a rest first and then start training hard, in order to get better results at the Beijing Games,” Wang added.

Competition at the Paralympics was at an all-time high with all 12 teams having previous Olympic experience, and five already medalling at the event since its debut in 2006 at Turin, Italy.

Chris Hamilton, spokesperson for the World Curling Federation, told CGTN Digital: “As with the World Wheelchair Curling Championships, the Games have been very competitive with a high standard of play across the board. This is highlighted by the rankings table for the round-robin where so many teams fought for a place in the semi-finals.”

“China is historically a strong team in world wheelchair curling. They qualified with the same point total for these games as the reigning world champions, Norway.”

(L-R) Gold medallists Wang Haitao of China and his teammates Chen Jianxin, Liu Wei, Wang Meng and Zhang Qiang celebrate on the podium during the victory ceremony /REUTERS

Since 2002, China has won three Worlds medals, silver in 2015, and bronze medals at 2012 and 2013. Currently there are eight provincial wheelchair curling teams set up in the country with the aim of future development, and Yong Zhijun, Deputy Secretary-general of the Chinese Paralympic Committee, hopes the team’s success can continue to grow the sport.

“National competitions, training camps and exchange competitions are held annually, and a national training camp is organized every year,” Yong told CGTN Digital. “Both domestic and foreign training is taken into consideration; the national team is equipped with psychological tutoring, scientific research and physical fitness service.”

“The committee hopes more disabled people can participate in curling projects and realize the goal of three hundred million people participating in ice and snow sports,” he added. “In 2022 we will play at home in the hopes of good performance, and good training results.”

Nobody can argue against the historic wheelchair curling team’s almost perfect performance, but out of a delegation of 26 athletes – the most the country has ever sent to a Winter Paralympics – China only secured one medal. And, although a top podium finish is a good platform to start from, there is still a long way to go before a Winter Games medal whitewash.

Nevertheless, new initiatives are being implemented across the board, both at grassroots level as well as professional, and with all 26 venues for the Games already under construction or refurnishing, it seems like the nation is up for the challenge. Has China acquired a taste for gold already?