Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada witnessed an intense battle at the World Men's Curling Championship as Japan edged China with a narrow 7-6 win. The much-anticipated 10th round robin contest saw both teams trading points early on, with the score tied at 1-1 after the first three ends.
The turning point came in the fourth end when Japan, holding the hammer, capitalized on a miscalculation by Chinese skip Xu Xiaoming. His takeout attempt strayed from the target, allowing Japan to secure two crucial points and take the lead.
China responded in the fifth end by opting for a blank to retain the last stone advantage in the sixth end. However, another missed shot gave Japan an opening to steal a point and further widen their lead. The match intensified when China rallied in the seventh end, scoring two points with a precise final stone after an official measurement, which briefly narrowed the gap.
Japan continued to display strong strategic play in the eighth end, with their skip delivering a deft draw that added two more points, extending their lead to 6-3. Undeterred, China surged in the ninth end with a smart tactical approach, earning three points and leveling the score at 6-6.
In a nail-biting finish during the tenth end, China pressed hard, but Japan's final stone found its mark, sealing a 7-6 victory. Despite the loss, China remains in the hunt with a record of 6 wins and 4 losses, and two round robin contests still on the schedule.
This closely fought encounter has captivated sports fans and globally minded youth alike, highlighting the blend of precision, strategy, and determination that defines international curling competitions.
Reference(s):
China handed narrow 7-6 loss by Japan in World Curling Championship
cgtn.com
