Feature: American curler relishes Paralympic challenge against Chinese team

by sportswriters Li Chunyu, Jiao Ziqi and Zheng Zhi

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, March 10 (Xinhua) -- After exchanging pins with China's wheelchair curling team at the Cortina Paralympic Village on March 3, American curler Stephen Emt finally met the Chinese pair in the last round-robin session of mixed doubles event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games here on Monday.

In an eight-end thrilling match, the United States narrowly beat China 7-6 to secure their berth in the semifinals as the second seed, while China's Wang Meng and Yang Jinqiao had already topped standings with six straight wins before the last round.

"Chinese curling is the standard of wheelchair curling in the whole world. Everybody knows that. Any opportunity to compete against them and even beat them at the Paralympic Games is incredible. We love hanging with them and trying to cross the language barrier. There are always smiles between us," said Emt.

The 56-year-old always told himself to enjoy the process, read the ice, and throw the stones, looking forward to a chance once the stone is off and the stick is gone. At the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, he also demonstrated resilience and passion for life.

Together with teammate Laura Dwyer, Emt is embracing his third Winter Paralympics after PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022. With three wins and three losses before the match against China, the American pair was on the verge of elimination. "Adversity is an opportunity to succeed," Emt noted.

When they faced difficulties during the match, Emt and Dwyer came together to figure out solutions and closed their eyes to take a deep breath. They cheered and supported each other throughout regardless of the result.

"It was about breathing and resetting. Inhalation holding is my favorite part, like filling up with air and taking in all the good. And then a really nice exhale and hold it. It's like we are done with this. Great or not great. Starting over, brand new. Here we go," said Dwyer, 48, in her first Winter Paralympics appearance.

With the wheelchair mixed doubles event making its Paralympic debut at Milan-Cortina, Emt says the competition is more exciting to watch.

"With only five stones being played by each side in an end, there is more pressure in mixed doubles. If you are feeling the pressure, you are doing something right. So we love the pressure," he said.

Reflecting on his curling career, Emt said, "It's about community, family, and curling clubs that are supporting us. Especially as athletes with disabilities, we just never give up, get off the couch, and be a part of something bigger than ourselves."

"Anything can happen at any time, because we are not promised tomorrow. So live life to the fullest right now, enjoy it and smile. Just have fun with life. Life is beautiful," he remarked.

In the mixed doubles semifinals on Tuesday, China will face Latvia, while the United States takes on South Korea.

"Whatever happens tomorrow, it is about years of hark work. We are proud of what we have done today and what we have been this week. We have been successful," said Emt.

The veteran added, "When I wake up in the morning, I open my door and see the gorgeous mountains here. How can you have a bad day?" ■