In a nail-biting clash at the World Men's Curling Championship in Moose Jaw, Canada, China fell just short against Japan in a 7-6 defeat that kept fans on edge until the final stone. The high-stakes match highlighted strategic gameplay and tense momentum shifts, underscoring Asia's growing prowess in international curling.
After a balanced start with a 1-1 tie by the third end, Japan seized control in the fourth when China's skip Xu Xiaoming narrowly missed a critical takeout. Capitalizing on the opening, Japan scored two points. China later opted to blank the fifth end to retain the hammer—a calculated risk that backfired when Japan stole a point in the sixth.
A measured comeback saw China close the gap to 6-5 by the ninth end, capped by Xu’s three-point play that electrified spectators. But Japan’s skip delivered a pinpoint final draw in the tenth end, securing their decisive point and dropping China to fifth place with six wins and four losses.
With two round-robin games remaining, China remains in contention for playoff qualification. The tournament has become a showcase of Asia's rising talent, drawing attention from sports analysts and investors eyeing the region's expanding winter sports market.
