China, Scotland Win World Junior Curling Crowns

Despite Scotland’s impressive showings at last year’s Olympic Games (as Great Britain) there were fears about the future on the women’s side.

This was understandable. Three members of Eve Muirhead’s women’s team soon retired from the sport, and Scotland’s Rebecca Morrison produced a COVID-wracked 0-12 record at the world championships.

One year later, Scotland has captured the women's competition at the 2023 World Juniors in Füssen, Germany after beating defending champions Japan 9-7 in a wild gold medal final.

On the men’s side Scotland produced a strong showing to grab the bronze, while China and Germany tussled for gold (see below).

After scoring three in the ninth end of the women’s final, Scotland’s Fay Henderson—an alternate at the 2022 women’s worlds—was tied at 7-7 with Japan going into the 10th end.

Japan skip Miura Yuina drew for the win, but came up short, and the Scots stole two points and captured the world title.

Henderson was supported by third player Robyn Munro, second Holly Wilkie-Milne, lead Laura Watt, alternate Amy Mitchell and coach Colin Morrison.

Three members of the Japanese team—skip Miura Yuina, second Ueno Yui and lead Ogihara Eri—were members of last year’s championship side. 

Third Matsunaga Ai, alternate Sakuma Yuna and coach Ogasawara Ayumi rounded out this season’s Team Japan.

In the bronze medal game Norway’s Torild Bjoernstad defeated Switzerland’s Xenia Schwaller by an 8-5 count.

Scotland and Japan claimed the third and fourth playoff spots after going 6-3 in the round robin. The Swiss had been undefeated at 9-0, while Norway placed second at 7-2.

The men’s final was another wild one. China’s Fei Xueqing enjoyed leads of 4-2 and 7-3 before Germany’s Benjamin Kapp scored four unanswered points to tie the game at 7-7.

In the final end, China fought through and the scored the single point for the 8-7 win.

China’s golden result comes six months after the country followed strict domestic COVID protocols and missed sending teams to the new Pan Continental Championships, a qualifier for men’s and women’s teams.

China skip Fei was backed by third Guan Tianqi, second Li Zhichao, lead Xie Xingyin and alternate Ye Jianjun.

Germany’s Kapp teamed with third Felix Messenzehl, second Johannes Scheuerl, lead Mario Trevisiol and alternate Adrian Enders.

Scotland’s Orrin Carson scored an easy bronze medal with an 11-4 victory over Norway’s Lukas Hoestmaelingen.

Germany and Scotland had finished the round robin at 7-2. China claimed third spot at 6-3 while Norway edged out Italy and Switzerland within the 5-4 finishers.

North American fans will be disappointed with their nation’s results.

Both Canada and the United States—all four women’s and men’s teams—finished low in the standings and both nations are relegated to next season’s World Junior B Championships.