Home favourites Canada lose unbeaten record to rampant Japan at Curling Worlds

On home ice in Lethbridge, the Canadian rink had won their first six matches to stand as the only undefeated quartet but Team Matsumura emphatically changed that fact with an impressive 9-3 triumph.

After Japan took two in the first and Canada responded with one, the contest was effectively over after three ends as the underdogs scored five.

A 7-1 advantage was one they were never going to surrender and although Kevin Koe drew in for two in the fourth end, one in the fifth and then a steal of one in the sixth sealed the deal for Japan with four ends remaining.

That took their record to seven wins and one loss, leaving them top of the standings, while Canada join Switzerland and Sweden in second place with a record of 6-1.

Elsewhere, the United States took their win-loss record to 5-2 as Italy were swept aside 8-3 – a steal of three in the sixth end proving decisive for the reigning Olympic champions.

Scotland continued their hot streak with a third consecutive victory by downing Norway 8-4 and Netherlands recorded a third win of the Championship by hammering China 10-5.

Sportsbeat 2019