Wang Haitao, Yan Zhuo, Zhang Mingliang and Chen Jianxin (from left to right) of China cheer for each other during the Wheelchair Curling Round Robin Match between China and Canada of Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games at National Aquatics Center in Beijing, capital of China on March 5, 2022. Photo: Xinhua/Xu Yanan

On March 5, the Chinese wheelchair curling team at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games competed in the National Aquatics Center. Although it lost its first robin round to Canada with 3 to 7, the team's legendary past gives it hope to win a home victory.

"The first defeat might cast a gloom over the team. But still, we need to adapt and make adjustments and changes throughout the long competition cycle, and rely more on our teamwork," said Yue Qingshuang, coach of the Chinese wheelchair curling team and participant at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Being defeated clearly did not bring down the team when facing a strong opponent, Team Canada, another curling legend and a three times Paralympic champion since the sport's Paralympic debut in 2006.

"We are facing a powerful opponent but I think every team is doing a great job," said Yan Zhuo, the only woman in Chinese wheelchair curling team.

The team was established in 2007. After over a decade, the Chinese team knocked out the defending champion Canada in the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic Winter Games, becoming the second country to win gold in this event .

In addition, Team China won the title at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships in 2019 and 2021.

"They [team members] are really hard workers. We normally train four hours in the mornings. Yet, they just come an hour earlier almost every day," said Yue, who has witnessed the titles the team has won for the past years.

"We trained hard to get what we have today. We have almost all-year round training where the team members and the coaches rest less than one month in the whole year," said Hu Junfu, deputy coach of the team.

However, for the team, these extremely intense training sessions are not a burden but more of a lifestyle which has built their confidence in a very particular way.

Yan Zhuo joined the team in 2017. Born in 1992, she was diagnosed with a disability to walk since she was born. The Beijing Paralympic Winter Games are her first Olympic experience.

"I have been practicing wheelchair archery for many years and made a transition to wheelchair curling from scratch," Yan told Chinese news outlet The Paper.

After switching from a single to a team sport, Yan said that she enjoys curling a lot as it gives her "confidence to communicate with people."

"Before the whole sports thing began, I stayed at home almost every day and did not want to go outside to talk to people, like many others with disabilities. I was so afraid when people looked at me like if I was so different," said Yan.

"But now, everything has changed. I know I cannot walk but, in fact, the disability has little impact on me as I can actually do many things I want, without caring about what other people think about me."

On Saturday, China's Mixed Wheelchair curling team made a new success that it has beaten Team Sweden 8-3 to defend the gold medal of the event. The team has waited for the victory for four years after the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics, where it lifted the championship title for the first time.