Canada’s wheelchair curling team secured their fourth Paralympic championship and first since 2014 by defeating defending champions China 4-3 at the Milano-Cortina Games. The Canadian team, featuring skip Mark Ideson, lead Collinda Joseph, second Ina Forrest, third Jon Thurston, and alternate Gilbert Dash, emerged victorious in all 11 games played in Italy.
In a tense gold-medal match, the score was tied at 3-3 going into the final stones. A critical moment came when the opposing skip’s shot missed, opening an opportunity for Canada to clinch the win. With time running out, Ideson executed a last-second shot to secure victory.
Thurston, also serving as vice-skip, reflected on the uncertainty during the final moments of the game. Ideson emphasized the importance of making a decisive move under pressure to avoid losing on a technicality or time constraint.
Canada’s dominance in wheelchair curling was evident throughout the tournament, with a perfect round-robin performance and a historic 9-0 record in the preliminary rounds. The team’s journey to the gold medal included a thrilling victory over South Korea in the semifinals.
At 60 years old, Joseph expressed her elation at achieving their goal after a year of hard work. Forrest, at 63, became the first wheelchair curler to compete in five Paralympic Games, adding to her impressive record of gold medals.
Ideson’s partnership with Forrest has been fruitful, resulting in multiple Paralympic victories. The competition marked Wang’s bid to secure a record third gold medal, but Canada’s strategic play prevailed.
With a total of 13 medals, including three gold, three silver, and seven bronze, Canada’s success at the Paralympics in Italy was remarkable. The full medal table can be viewed on the official website.
The Canadian team’s triumph in wheelchair curling has solidified their legacy in the sport, showcasing their skill and determination on the international stage.