Japan’s curlers humbled by nemesis South Korea

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:08 JST, February 15, 2022

BEIJING — Hours after Japan’s women curlers recorded an emphatic win over hosts China on Monday, the team was soundly beaten by nemesis South Korea 10-5 at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Japan is now 4-2 in the nine-game round-robin stage, heading into its match Tuesday afternoon against 3-3 Great Britain. South Korea improved to 3-3, with Switzerland currently leading the standings at 5-1. The top four teams make it to the semifinals.

In the semifinals of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018, Japan lost to eventual silver medalists South Korea, before recovering to take the bronze by beating Great Britain.

On Monday night, South Korea scored a crucial three points in the third end to take a 4-2 lead that Japan couldn’t overcome. With two points in the ninth end, South Korea had an insurmountable margin, so Japan conceded the match.

After beating China with the lopsided score of 10-2, the Japan women from the Hokkaido club team Loco Solare will look to bounce back from the humbling loss.