Wheelchair curlers open Milan Cortina Paralympic Games for Japan

From Kyodo

March 5 2026

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Japan’s wheelchair curling mixed doubles team opened the country’s campaign at the Milan Cortina Paralympics on Wednesday, ahead of the official start of the international sporting event later this week.

Aki Ogawa, 50, and Yoji Nakajima, 61, lost 10-3 to China in their opening round-robin match after surrendering an early lead and allowing their opponents to steadily extend the margin.

Admitting she was unable to overcome the pressure, Ogawa said after the match at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, “It is a pleasure to play the sport I love on such a stage.”

“We’re going to practice while reflecting on the result and try to take the experience in a positive direction,” Nakajima said.

The pair, who won last year’s world championships, are aiming to become the first wheelchair curling medalists for Japan in the doubles event’s inaugural appearance at the Paralympics.

The opening ceremony will be held Friday.

Japan now faces a run of matches in the early rounds, with games Thursday against the United States and South Korea that could prove crucial in deciding whether they will progress to the semifinals.