China's men's curling team secured their place at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics through a dramatic 9-4 victory over Japan in Kelowna, Canada, on Thursday. The decisive qualifier capped a week of intense competition that showcased strategic brilliance and nerve under pressure.
The Chinese rink – composed of Xu Xiaoming, Xu Jingtao, Li Zhichao, Fei Xueqing, and Wang Zhenhao – demonstrated remarkable consistency during the round-robin stage. They opened with an 8-5 win against the Netherlands before edging out the United States 9-8 in a nail-biting second match. A dominant 5-2 victory over the Philippines and subsequent wins against New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and Poland extended their winning streak to six games.
Their first setback came in the final round-robin match against Japan, where they fell 9-6. However, China's top position in the standings earned them a playoff rematch with the United States. Despite losing 9-4 in that initial playoff, the team regrouped for a high-stakes showdown against Japan.
With Olympic qualification on the line, China executed a masterclass in the ninth end. Holding the hammer advantage, they scored four decisive points to seal their 9-4 victory. This achievement marks the first time both China's men's and women's curling teams have qualified for the same Winter Olympics.
The qualification adds to China's growing prominence in winter sports following its successful hosting of the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Curling enthusiasts worldwide now anticipate how this determined squad will perform when the Olympic spotlight returns to Europe in February 2026.
