March 2, 2024
The SD Biosensor World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2024 began on Saturday, March 2nd at the Gangneung Curling Center.
The first day of competition featured two sessions of round-robin play.
session 1
Canada, last year’s silver medalists, faced host South Korea in the first session. Canada got off to a great start and led 5-1 at the end of the third end. In the end, they won 9-6.
Canada’s No. 3 Ina Forrest spoke about the importance of getting her first win. Once you get your first win, you’ll feel like you’re ready for the week. So I think that’s really important. ”
Regarding the game plan against South Korea, she added: So I think we adapted well to what we saw and changed our plans to suit what we saw. ”
Scotland, who won bronze last year, faced Latvia. Scotland started the match well, scoring three points in the first two ends. In the third run, Latvia’s No. 4 Agris Rasmans scored a perfect two points. Both teams entered the eighth end tied at 5-5. In the end, Latvia got a single and won 6-5.
Norway meets the Czech Republic. Norway started with two steals in the first end, with Czech’s last stone breaking the guard. Norway ended up winning 7-3, largely due to three runs scored in the fifth inning.
After the match, Norway’s third place Geir Arne Skogstad said: “It’s always good to finish the first match and of course it’s nice to win the first match, always.” It’s been a very good start to the tournament and it’s important for everyone’s health.”
Slovakia and Estonia both qualified for the competition from the World Wheelchair B Championships in November 2023 and faced off in the first session in Gangneung. Slovakia scored in four consecutive ends and won 10-4.
session 2
In the evening, title defenders China faced Sweden in a rematch of the 2022 Beijing Paralympic finals. After two blank ends, Sweden’s fourth Marcus Holm missed takeaways in both the third and fourth ends, and China stole a single in each. China played in the eighth with a 3-2 lead. In the end, Sweden’s Holm just fell short in his final draw attempt, and China won 5-2 without giving up until the end.
The United States faced Italy, which had qualified for the World Wheelchair B Championship. It was a low-scoring game, with Italy leading 2-1 after four games and 4-2 after seven. In the 8th inning, American Matthew Sams attempted to tap, but was unsuccessful, resulting in only a single run. The final score was 4 for Italy and 3 for America.
Both South Korea and Estonia played against each other because they wanted to improve each other’s records. Korea showed perfect stone placement from the beginning and had a 7-0 lead at halftime. Estonia hit a 3 in the 7th inning, but gave up a run in the 8th inning. South Korea won with a final score of 8-3.
In the final night’s match, Scotland looked to snatch their first win against Norway. The Norwegians continued to perform well throughout the afternoon and were leading 4-0 after three points.
In the fourth, Scottish number four Gregor Ewan made a perfect two-point takeaway, making the scoreline 2-4 at half-time. Norway’s Jostein Stordal attempted a draw in the eighth inning, allowing Scotland a run and sending the game into overtime at 5-5.
At the end of that overtime, Scotland’s Ewan finally beat his guard and allowed a single, giving Norway a 6-5 victory. This was Norway’s second win of the day, and they are leading the standings after two sessions.
Opening ceremony
Before the first draw, the official opening ceremony of the championship was held at the Gangneung Curling Center. Upon entering the stadium, the athletes were greeted by Bandabi, the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic mascot.
Several local dignitaries and World Curling Vice President Hugh Millikin gave greetings in person, while World Curling President Bo Welling and Gangwon Province Governor Kim Jin-tae delivered video greetings.
“We are joined today by Mr. Seung Min Yoo, Chairman of the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation. I think they’re excited,” Millikin said.
“Wheelchair curling in South Korea has developed as a special sport, and here today Mr. Jin O-wan Jeong, president of the Korean Paralympic Association, and Mr. Kyung Sung-yoon, president of the Korean Paralympic Association, were present here.Wheelchair curling here in Korea We should be very proud of our progress.
“The local organizing committee, led by Kim Sung-il, with the support of event sponsors, especially title sponsor SD Biosensor, has done a great job getting everything ready for an exciting week of curling.
“Take the time to not only enjoy curling and the competitiveness, but also the friendships you build here. Enjoy the honor of representing your country at this special Olympic and Paralympic venue,” he added.
click here This is the standings after the first day.
click here See all results and match schedule.
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