China's Yang Jinqiao (right) and teammate Wang Meng compete during the wheelchair curling mixed doubles gold medal match against South Korea at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on March 11, 2026. Photo: VCG

China's Wang Meng and Yang Jin­qiao clinched the maiden Paralympic Winter Games wheelchair curling mixed doubles title at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games on Wednesday in Italy after a dramatic win over South Korea.  

This marked the 10th gold for the Chinese delegation at the Milan-Cortina Paralympics. As of Wednesday night, the Chinese delegation, with a total of 10 gold, 7 silver, and 10 bronze medals, continues to top both the gold medal table and the overall medal table, while also setting a new record for its best performance at a Winter Paralympics held overseas.

The wheelchair curling mixed doubles event made its Winter Paralympic debut at Milan-Cortina 2026 with eight teams in the field. China topped the round robin standings with six wins and one loss to reach the last four.

In the final, the Chinese pair took a 7-3 lead, but South Korea rallied back at 7-7 and forced an extra end. China added two more stones to seal the historic victory in the decisive end.

"The pressure made us compete even better. We adjusted our strategies and mentality during the match. I am satisfied with our performance," Wang, who was a member of the Chinese team that won gold during the PyeongChang 2018 Games, told the Xinhua News Agency. 

At PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022, China won back-to-back titles in the Winter Paralympic wheelchair curling mixed team event.

"I started my curling career in 2018. When I saw China won wheelchair curling gold in PyeongChang, I was so excited and proud of them," Yang told Xinhua. Yang, 24, is the youngest athlete in the wheelchair curling mixed doubles event.

He Yongju, director of the winter sports division at the China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities, told the Global Times that Chinese athletes are willing to constantly challenge and surpass themselves and are adept at adapting to various competition environments. 

"We hope to maintain our strengths this time while striving to make new breakthroughs in events where we have potential advantages," He said.

Wheelchair curling and Para ice hockey are China's traditional strong events. China made progress in endurance snow events with Wang Yue and Dang Hesong winning medals in the women's and men's Para biathlon events respectively. 

Training for winter sports for persons with disabilities is far more difficult than people might imagine. On average, each athlete has experienced four or five fractures. Many continue training despite injuries, yet none speak lightly of giving up, He told the China Times.

From the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics to Milan-Cortina 2026, China has steadily strengthened its talent pipeline in winter para sports. Technological support has also been integrated throughout the entire preparation process. Through cooperation with universities to improve equipment adaptation and providing tailored, case-by-case support for each athlete, training has become more scientific and better targeted, He noted. 

China fielded 70 athletes to compete in 71 events across six sports at the Milan-Cortina Paralympics, marking the country's largest delegation and most extensive event participation in an overseas Winter Paralympics.

"We extend our congratulations to the Chinese delegation, the Chinese wheelchair curling team, and the medal-winning athletes," read a congratulatory letter sent to the delegation by the People's Government of Beijing Municipality on Wednesday. 

At this Winter Paralympic Games, Chinese athletes pushed beyond their limits with tenacity and interpreted the Olympic motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together" through their hard work and determination. They fully demonstrated the positive image of people with disabilities in China in the new era - self-respecting, self-confident, self-reliant, and resilient. "We sincerely wish the Chinese athletes continued success and even greater achievements," said the letter. 

Running till Sunday, the Milan-Cortina Paralympic Games is the largest Winter Paralympics to date, featuring over 600 athletes from 52 countries and regions.