Canada Wins Paralympic Gold in Wheelchair Curling Thriller

With just 2.8 seconds left on the clock, Canada's Mark Ideson made the throw of his life to win Paralympic gold in wheelchair curling.

The final at Milano Cortina 2026 pitted the only two nations to ever win Paralympic wheelchair curling titles against each other. Canada edged out defending champions China 4-3 in a match that never saw more than a one-point difference.

The eighth and final end came down to strategy and nerves. China had stones positioned close to the button, and Canada held the hammer with seconds ticking away. As the team debated their final move, the clock became their biggest opponent.

"Jon wasn't confident that we were shot, and I get that," Ideson told Olympics.com. "He didn't want to lose the game on a measure." With under three seconds remaining, vice-skip Jon Thurston urged Ideson to throw rather than risk a measurement call.

Ideson delivered. His stone bumped Canada's earlier throw even closer to the center, securing the gold medal as supporters erupted in celebration.

The victory was especially sweet for Canada, who had finished third at both the 2018 and 2022 Games. They came to Italy as the only undefeated team in the round robin, though China had been equally dominant with just one loss.

"China is the best team in the world, and we thought to beat them we were going to have to bring the best we had on this day," Ideson said. The teams had met in the semifinals at the previous three Paralympics, with China winning the last two matchups.

For veteran Ina Forrest, a champion at Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, the gold medal represented a return to form. "For me, the personal goal of being on top of the podium every time and keeping Canada there, being able to do that, is amazing," she said.

Why This Inspires

This wasn't just about athletic excellence. It was about fans returning to the stands after the quiet, family-free environment of Beijing 2022. Canadian supporters filled the Cortina Curling Stadium, waving flags and cheering every throw.

"We had incredible fans there today, and we felt their support," Ideson said. The energy brought Paralympic sport back to what it should be: a celebration of human determination witnessed by the people who matter most.

China's Li Nana showed grace in defeat, noting her team stayed "very determined and calm" despite the heartbreaking loss. Both teams demonstrated that Paralympic competition represents the highest level of athletic skill and sportsmanship.

After 12 years of near-misses and podium finishes, Canada proved that persistence and teamwork can overcome any drought.