Beijing, China, February 20, 2022: Japan’s bid for gold in women’s curling fell at the last hurdle in a Sunday shootout with Great Britain at the National Aquatics Centre on the last morning of the Winter Olympics.
Japan went down 10-3 and took the silver medals – one step up the podium from the bronze they won at PyeongChang four years ago and their best ever result in Olympic history.
Britain, whose run to the final has been headline news back home, took firm control of the match with a 4-0 score in the seventh end. When they added two more points in the ninth end for 10-3, the match was called one end early. Japan managed three 1-0 ends in the second, sixth and eighth, but could not get a grip on the match.
Yurika Yoshida accepted defeat graciously, along with her silver medal.
“It was a wonderful experience. I had so much fun,” she said.
“We lost, that’s for sure. But to be here with all my teammates. JD (coach JD Lind) has been looking after us, supporting us, taking us all the way to the final match. Team Japan has become the top. I am just super grateful for everything.”
Yumi Suzuki added: “It was not our best performance. Despite silver, it is indeed a meaningful medal for Japan.
“We have regrets, of course, but there were so many people supporting us along the way. We are only here thanks to team Japan, the men, women, mixed teams."
Posting a picture of the team enjoying the Olympics, the Japan Curling Association commented: “We did our best but just fell short, 3-10. A long way to get my silver shining medal, thank you for all your support.”
Photo: Japan Curling Association
