Top Paralympic Winter Games moments: China

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games promise to deliver unforgettable moments. Up to 665 athletes from around 50 National Paralympic Committees are set to compete in six sports – Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard, and wheelchair curling. 

Represented by more than 90 athletes at Beijing 2022, China delivered a memorable performance on snow and ice. The team claimed 61 medals - 18 gold, 20 silver, and 23 bronze - to finish atop the medals table. China went from earning just one medal at PyeongChang 2018 to dominating its home Games in Beijing.

As athletes prepare for Milano Cortina 2026, let’s revisit some of China’s top Paralympic Winter Games moments.

PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022: China’s wheelchair curling domination

China’s wheelchair curling team made history at PyeongChang 2018, winning the country’s first Paralympic Winter Games medal, a gold, in the eight-team tournament. Four years after debuting at Sochi 2014, the team triumphed over Norway in the gold medal match.

Led by skip Haitao Wang, the team was unstoppable four years later at Beijing 2022, becoming only the second country, after Canada, to win back-to-back Paralympic gold medals in the sport. Sweden claimed silver, and Canada took bronze.

“I will never forget it in my life,” Wang said in an interview this year. “It is the most glorious thing as an athlete to be able to participate in the Winter Paralympics held in my own country and win the gold medal.

“When competing in our own country, our families and the audience gave us extremely strong support. Even if we didn't play well, everyone still gave us the greatest support and cheered us on.”

China has qualified for the mixed team event at Milano Cortina 2026. Will the team defend its title?

Beijing 2022: Para Alpine Skier Mengqiu Zhang’s five-medal haul

Mengqiu Zhang shot to the spotlight at Beijing 2022, winning five medals at her first Paralympic Winter Games.

The Para alpine skier reached the podium in all her events, capturing gold in the women’s giant slalom and super-G standing, plus silver in the downhill, super combined, and slalom. She also became the first Para alpine skiing gold medallist from China. 

She became a fan favourite off the slopes, dazzling with a different hairstyle each time on the podium.

Beijing 2022: China wins Para ice hockey medal on home ice

China pulled off a big surprise in the Para ice hockey tournament, finishing on the podium in its Paralympic debut. Launching its program only five years before the home Games, the team defeated South Korea 4-0 to claim bronze.

Jing Yu made her Paralympic debut with China on International Women’s Day. She became the third female Para ice hockey player to make a Paralympic appearance after Norway’s Brit Mjaasund Oeyen at Lillehammer 1994 and Lena Schroeder at PyeongChang 2018.

Beijing 2022: Hongqiong Yang and Peng Zheng dominate Para cross-country skiing

Para cross-country skier Yang Hongqiong shot to stardom in her Paralympic debut, becoming the only Chinese Paralympian to win three gold medals at a Winter Games. She won all three of her events - the women’s long-distance sitting, middle-distance sitting, and sprint sitting -  to lead China to the top of the Para cross-country skiing medal standings.

Peng Zheng earned two gold and two silver medals, giving home fans more reasons to celebrate.

“It is a dream come true. Back in PyeongChang, I wasn’t strong mentally or physically. I was close to getting a medal, like 10-15 seconds or so but now, with four more years of training, I am in better physical condition,” Zheng said after winning the men’s long distance sitting race.

“I know better about what I can do, how to make the most out of it. Whether I win or lose, I can keep it together.”

Salt Lake City 2002: China makes Paralympic Winter Games debut

Rewind two decades from the country’s most successful Paralympic Winter Games appearance: China made its debut at Salt Lake City 2002. Three athletes, Lixia Han, Jinyou Wang, and Jie Zhang, competed in Para cross-country skiing, while Lei Wang became the first Para alpine skiing athlete to compete at a Paralympic Winter Games.

Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games  

Milano Cortina 2026, which takes place from 6-15 March 2026, is set to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet. Ticket prices start at EUR 10 for children under 14, with approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less.

For more information, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org