The Chinese mainland's men's curling team concluded their World Championship campaign with a fiercely contested 11-2 loss to Canada in Sunday's bronze medal match, securing fourth place in Moose Jaw—a performance matching their all-time best finish at the event.
Early setbacks proved decisive as skip Xu Xiaoming's stone drifted wide in the first end, conceding three points to the hosts. Brief momentum in the third end saw China score once before a costly fourth-end miss allowed Canadian skip Brad Jacobs to execute a five-point hammer throw. Canada's relentless offense extended their lead to 10-1 by the fifth, sealing victory while showcasing the high-stakes precision of elite curling.
Despite the defeat, China's fourth-place finish underscores rapid progress in winter sports. The result positions them as contenders ahead of December's Olympic qualifiers for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games. Analysts note curling's growing popularity in Asia, with China's team—a blend of emerging talent and strategic coaching—now ranked 14th globally.
'Every match against top teams accelerates our growth,’ said team spokesperson Li Wei postgame. The squad returns to training next month, aiming to become the first Asian team to medal at a world men's championship.
