Yang Jinqiao throws his broom in celebration after China won gold in the wheelchair curling mixed doubles event at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics on Wednesday. [Photo by Joel Marklund/Olympic Information Services]
China on Wednesday defeated South Korea 9-7 in an extra end to win gold in the inaugural mixed doubles wheelchair curling event at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics.
The Chinese pair of Wang Meng and Yang Jinqiao built a 7-3 lead after six ends, but South Korea scored three points in the seventh and stole one in the eighth to force an extra end.
In the final end, the Chinese curlers held their nerve, scoring two points to become the first Paralympic champions in wheelchair curling mixed doubles.
Wang Meng (right) and Yang Jinqiao celebrate after winning gold in the wheelchair curling mixed doubles event at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics on Wednesday. [Photo by Davide Garbelli/Olympic Information Services]
"Both of us were fighting hard on the court. The first half went well, but after they caught up in the second half, I did feel a bit nervous, right up until the final moment," said Wang.
"Still, we managed to adjust quickly under pressure and stay focused on the game," said the 37-year-old.
Yang, 24, said that despite leading for most of the match, he did not dare contemplate the gold medal until the very last stone.
"Only now I can actually feel it (the gold medal) hanging around my neck. It feels heavy," he said. "I feel that the efforts of these four years have not been in vain."
Their victory increased Team China's gold medal count to 10, keeping it atop the standings, ahead of the United States with six and Austria with four.
Also on Wednesday, Mao Zhongwu and Zheng Peng won silver and bronze respectively in the men's 10-kilometer interval start sitting event at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium.