PYEONGCHANG, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The United States stretched its medal tally, adding two more gold medals on Wednesday in the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.
Two skiers from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) completed races in the country's first participation in the Winter Paralympics.
The U.S. has secured 21 medals, including eight gold, seven silver and six bronze medals. The Neutral Paralympic Athletes (NPA) and Slovakia added one gold each, trailing the U.S. with six golds.
The NPA refers to Russian para-athletes in PyeongChang as Russian athletes were banned from competing under their national flag for an alleged state-sponsored doping scandal.
During the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in February, Russian athletes were allowed to compete under the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) banner.
Slovakia's Henrieta Farkasova, guided by Natalia Subrtova, won her fourth gold of the Games in the women's giant slalom, visually impaired. Switzerland's Theo Gmur won his third gold in the men's giant slalom standing.
Japan won its first gold in PyeongChang in the women's giant slalom sitting, with Italy securing the first gold in the men's giant slalom, visually impaired.
Norway also won its first gold of the Games, with Kazakhstan winning its first-ever gold in the Winter Paralympics.
The DPRK sent its athletic delegation to PyeongChang, a first of the Winter Paralympics. The DPRK saw its two skiers, Ma Yu Chol and Kim Jong Hyon, complete their races in the men's cross-country 1.1km sprint sitting.
Though they were in the lowest standings, the home crowd warmly cheered their compatriot skiers from the DPRK. South Korean President Moon Jae-in also cheered the DPRK para-athletes at the Alpensia Biathlon Centre, according to the Blue House.
In the wheelchair curling, China defeated the United States 6-4, rebounding from their loss to Canada in the morning session. Canada moved into a clear third place with the win.
South Korea shared the lead with China in the wheelchair curling, but was defeated by Norway 9-2. The two Asian nations were expected to move up to the semifinals with one or two more wins from the remaining three preliminaries.
