In a thrilling semifinals match at the 2026 Winter Paralympics held in Cortina, Italy, the South Korean wheelchair curling mixed team faced off against Canada, one of the tournament's strong contenders. The Korean team, composed of players Nam Bong-kwang, Bang Min-ja, Yang Hee-tae, Lee Hyun-chul, and Cha Jin-ho, showcased an impressive performance, initially taking control of the game despite losing to Canada in the earlier rounds of the tournament. Starting with a 2-point deficit in the first end, Korea quickly leveled the score and surged ahead with a remarkable comeback, even pulling off a stunning double takeout in the sixth end that seemed to secure a favorable position for the team.

However, in the crucial final end, Korea faced unexpected errors that led to their downfall. After Canada managed to score only one point in the seventh end, all eyes were on Korea as they held the last stone in the eighth end, anticipating a win. Unfortunately, a series of mistakes allowed Canada to mount pressure that ultimately resulted in Korea conceding three points, leading to a dramatic reversal and a final score of 8-7 in favor of Canada. This loss was particularly painful for the Korean team, as they had been so close to their goal of reaching the finals, and the players expressed their disappointment, vowing to give their all in the bronze medal match scheduled against Sweden.