March 15, 2024
US team wheelchair curling team eliminated by Japan
There’s the grand slam in baseball, the touchdown bomb in football, and the big end in curling.
The U.S. Mixed Doubles Wheelchair curling team traded big ends with Japan at the World Championships in Korea last night, but the Japanese came out on top and eliminated the Americans in the quarter-finals, 9-8.
The loss came after the Matt Thums-Batoyun Oranchimeg team had gone undefeated in pool play, winning six straight. In the game, the US fell behind early, but scored four in the fifth end to take a 6-3 lead. But the Japanese curlers came right back in the next end to score five and take the lead 8-6. The US closed the gap to 8-8 but a single rock in the final end secured the victory for Japan.
Early this morning, Korea and China won their semi-final games to advance to the gold medal game tomorrow.
Thums represents the Wausau Curling Club, and Oranchimeg is from the Twin Cities. They are the reigning US champion mixed doubles wheelchair curling team.
March 14, 2024
US team wheelchair team advances to qualifiers
The U.S. Mixed Doubles Wheelchair team curled into the finals at the World Championships in Korea today, finishing pool play undefeated.
Last night, the Matt Thums-Batoyun Oranchimeg pair defeated Italy 9-5. This morning they came from behind to edge Canada 6-5. They had to steal two in the last end to finish the round robin at 6-0 in Group B. Thums is from the Wausau Curling Club; Oranchimeg is from the Twin Cities.
Now the U.S. team starts the qualification round seeded number 1. They take on number 8 Japan later tonight. Other teams making the finals are Latvia, Italy, China, Korea, Slovakia and Estonia.
Results and live games can be seen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
March 13, 2024
US team wins two more at World’s
The US mixed doubles wheelchair curling team powered past England and Switzerland overnight to remain alone in first place in its group at the World Championships in Korea. The Matt Thums-Batoyuna Oranchimeg pair defeated Switzerland 13-2 in a shortened game this morning. The Americans scored five rocks in each of the second and fourth ends, taking control of the match. Last night they doubled England, 8-4.
“Our communication on the ice has been great and we have been playing well,” Thums reported from Gangueung, the curling venue. “Every team is tough on any given day. Oyuna and I have to bring our A game every time.”
They stand at 4-0 with Canada and Italy facing them in games tonight and early tomorrow morning. The top two teams in each of the three groups advance to the qualifying rounds, which begin on Friday. Thums is from Wausau and Oranchimeg is from the Twin Cities.
Line scores can be viewed in real-time at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
March 12, 2024
US team in first at mixed doubles championships
The US mixed doubles wheelchair curling team is in first place in its group standings after two games at the World Championships in Korea. The Matt Thums-Batoyuna Oranchimeg pair scored in five of seven ends to defeat Slovenia Monday night, 7-2. Thums is from Wausau; Oranchimeg from the Twin Cities.
The win gave them a 2-0 record, tied with Italy and leading in Group B, which also includes Canada, Switzerland, England, and Finland, the team the U.S. defeated in the opening round yesterday. Up next for the Americans are games Wednesday (late Tuesday our time) against England and Switzerland.
Thums and Oranchimeg won the U.S. championship late last year to qualify at the country’s representative at the Worlds.
The top two teams in each of the three groups will qualify for the finals this coming weekend.
Line scores can be viewed in real-time at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
March 11, 2024
The U.S. mixed doubles curling team got off to a good start at the World Championships in Korea yesterday.The team of Matt Thums of Wausau and Batoyun Oranchimeg of the Twin Cities beat Finland 9-2 in the opening round of play in their group. The win was highlighted by a four-rock fourth end for the Americans.They are scheduled to play Slovenia tonight (our time). Others in their group include England, Canada, Italy and Switzerland.Results can be seen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..