Latvia Wheelchair Curling Team Finishes Paralympics Without Medal | News & Updates
MILAN, Italy – Latvia’s run at the 2026 Winter Paralympics came to a close Thursday with a narrow 5-5 tie against Italy in wheelchair curling, a result that ultimately eliminated them from medal contention. The match, played at the Milano-Cortina Games, saw Latvia squander an early lead and succumb to a resilient Italian side.
The game began with Italy seizing the initiative, capitalizing on the last stone advantage in the first end to secure a 2-0 lead. However, Latvia responded emphatically in the second end. A strategic play orchestrated by Sergejs Djačenko created a potential four-point swing, though he narrowly missed securing the fourth point on his final throw. Despite this, Latvia managed to take a 3-2 lead.
The third end proved to be a tightly contested affair, with Italy utilizing their final stone to score a single point and level the game. The fourth end saw Latvia regain the upper hand, capitalizing on a mistake by the Italians to score two points and establish a 5-3 advantage. While Djačenko’s final stone didn’t add a third point, the two-point gain proved crucial.
Italy fought back in the fifth end, demonstrating their own strategic prowess. Both teams executed precise shots, but Italy’s possession of the last stone allowed them to score two points, once again tying the game at 5-5. The match concluded with the score remaining deadlocked, a result that, unfortunately for Latvia, wasn’t enough to advance to the playoffs.
Latvia finished the round-robin stage with three wins in eight games, sharing seventh place in the standings. Italy, with an identical record of three wins but in seven games, secured a fifth-place finish. The tiebreaker scenarios ultimately favored other teams, denying Latvia a spot in the semi-finals.
The semi-final field is now set, with Canada and China already guaranteed their places. The remaining two spots will be determined by the conclusion of the round-robin play. Latvia’s campaign ends here, but the team demonstrated moments of brilliance throughout the tournament, including an earlier upset victory over Great Britain.
This year marked the first time that mixed teams competed in Paralympic wheelchair curling, adding a fresh dimension to the sport. The Latvian team consisted of Elija Asniņa, Linda Meijere, Adelaida Killiana, Ojārs Briedis, and Sergejs Djačenko. Four years prior, at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics, Latvia finished ninth in the 11-team competition, indicating a step forward in their performance this year despite not reaching the medal rounds.
While the team’s performance fell short of medal contention, the participation of Latvian athletes like Poļina Rožkova and Agris Lasmans, who recently competed in the “Cembra Wheelchair Curling Double Mix 2026” tournament, highlights the growing strength of Latvian wheelchair curling. Rožkova, a bronze medalist in previous Winter Paralympic Games, has been a key figure in promoting the sport within Latvia.
Rožkova and Lasmans, along with Arnis Veidemanis, secured a third-place finish at the “Cembra Wheelchair Curling Double Mix 2026” tournament, competing against ten teams and achieving four wins in six games. This preparation served as a crucial stepping stone towards the Paralympics.
The Milano-Cortina Paralympic Games will continue through , with Latvia’s sole representation now concluded. The games feature competition in six sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, hockey, snowboarding, and curling. The absence of Latvian athletes in other disciplines, notably the withdrawal of mountain skier Mārtiņš Oliņš due to the participation of athletes from aggressor states, underscores the complex geopolitical factors influencing the Games.
Despite the disappointing end to their Paralympic journey, the Latvian wheelchair curling team demonstrated resilience and competitive spirit. The experience gained in Milan-Cortina will undoubtedly contribute to their development and future success on the international stage.