Lords of the Rings: Canada wins gold in wheelchair curling at Paralympic Winter Games

CORTINA, Italy – Canada defeated China 4-3 on a chaotic final throw of the sport to win the gold medal in wheelchair curling Saturday on the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

On the final throw, skip Mark Ideson of London, Ont., was in a good scenario with the sport clock operating out and uncertainty on whether or not the Canadian or Chinese rock was closest to the button.

‘’It’s one of many craziest finishes to a recreation I’ve ever been part of,’’ stated Ideson, who grew up in Parry Sound, Ont., and now lives in London, Ont. ‘’We are extremely honored to get the win, the gold and expertise such an awesome journey.’’

With all of the shot calculations going by way of his head along with the screaming crowd and the strain of the second, Ideson delivered the golden shot tapping his personal stone nearer to the button to make Canada’s victory crystal clear.

Meanwhile the sport clock was at 2.5 seconds remaining when he launched the epic throw. If time runs out, Canada loses the sport beneath worldwide guidelines.

‘’I may inform we had been low on the time by the quantity of screaming,’’ stated Ideson – additionally informed after the sport, he’s Canada’s co flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony with Natalie Wilkie ‘’But we didn’t wish to lose on a measure. There was a little bit of confusion. I imply I’d principally thrown the identical shot simply earlier than so I believed I’ll simply throw it once more.’’

It is the fourth time Canada has gained the gold medal in wheelchair curling because it turned a Games sport in 2006, and it’s its first title since 2014. Canada gained bronze in 2018 and 2022. China was the defending two-time champion.

‘’Everybody simply switched on to their greatest degree this week,’’ stated Canadian third Jon Thurston of Dunsford, Ont. ‘’It was an unimaginable expertise and one thing I’ll always remember. The teamwork, the idea in one another and the way all of us supported one another so effectively.’’

It marked a 3rd gold medal for second Ina Forrest of Spallumcheen, B.C., a five-time Paralympian, a second gold for Ideson, and a primary for two-time Paralympians Thurston and lead Collinda Joseph of Stittsville, Ont. and fifth Gil Dash of Kipling, Sask., at his first Games.

‘’I informed one among my teammates early within the week that I believe this crew is fairly particular,’’ stated Joseph. ‘’This week actually proved it. Not simply the folks on the ice however the folks behind the scenes.’’

Dash performed two video games within the spherical robin and was lauded by head coach Mick Lizmore for his work each on and off the ice.

Canada can also be the primary crew to undergo your complete Paralympic event undefeated ending with an 11-0 file. Canada made three final finish comeback wins within the event together with stealing three within the eighth to beat South Korea 7-5 in Friday’s semifinal.

Sweden defeated South Korea for the bronze Friday evening.

‘’You by no means count on to go undefeated,’’ stated Ideson. ‘’The groups are so robust. The purpose was at all times simply to make the semis. But we constructed some momentum because the event progressed and to beat China, such an unimaginable crew and so expert, it was an effective way to finish it.’’

As he does for each Games, Ideson secretly hid a Lucky Loonie on the venue.

‘’I hid it close to the championship recreation sheet,’’ he stated flashing the unused shiny golden coin. ‘’During a pre-event follow I discover a place to place it the place nobody will discover it.

‘’I now have a Loonie in every of my podium jackets.’’