BY ROBERT MURRAY – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
Since 2010, each discipline in the Winter Paralympic program has undergone significant change. With less than one year to go until the 2014 Games, I’ll be taking a look at what to expect from Canada and the rest of the world in Sochi. Today I take a look at wheelchair curling.
What happened in 2010?: In just its second appearance at the Paralympics, Canada won its second gold medal in wheelchair curling. Jim Armstrong took over for 2006 Paralympic Gold medalist Chris Daw and held off a late charge by the South Koreans in order to win the gold medal. Experienced Swedish skip Jalle Jungnell took the bronze medal over the United States.
What has changed?: Not much has changed on the ice; Jim Armstrong and his team continue to be a force to be reckoned with. The team has been victorious at the 2009, 2011 and 2013 World Championships and will be looking to make it three straight gold medals for Canada in 2014. Sweden’s rink, led by longtime skip Jalle Jungnell have finished third at the past two Paralympics. He recently skipped his team to a silver in Sochi for the 2013 World Championships. Off the ice, Armstrong has had to overcome legal difficulties since his Paralympic victory. After being fined for selling counterfeit erectile dysfunction drugs, he was handed an 18-month ban for failing a drug test. This ban made him ineligible to compete at the 2012 World Championships where Canada finished sixth. The ban has since been eventually over turned and Armstrong has returned to his duties as skip for Canada.
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What Canadians should I watch?: Sonja Gaudet throws Canada’s lead stones and holds a unique distinction. She is the only wheelchair curling athlete in the world to have two Paralympic Gold medals in wheelchair curling. She was a member of Daw’s team in Turin and Armstrong’s team in Vancouver. Her veteran presence will provide an edge in Sochi.
Who could spoil the show?: After not even qualifying for the 2010 Paralympics, China’s rink, skipped by Haitao Wang have come on strong in recent years. Wang made is debut at the 2009 World Championships, barely missing out on the playoffs with a 4-5 record. In 2011, Wang reversed his record to 5-4 but still finished on the outside looking in. The 2012 and 2013 Worlds have been a different story. China has won bronze at both events and will be looking for Paralympic success in a year’s time.