South Korea powering towards PyeongChang

Paralympics host South Korea showed their strength ahead of PyeongChang 2018, going undefeated and taking the gold medal at an international friendly tournament that finished on 12 January in Nagano, Japan.

The final was a repeat of the bronze medal game at the 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships A-Pool in April, with reigning Worlds bronze medallists South Korea again topping Norway 5-0.

Despite narrowly defeating Norway 3-2 earlier in the Japan tournament, South Korea came out even stronger in the gold medal game, scoring two early points courtesy of Seung-hwan Jung and Yong-min Lee. Two more goals in the third period from Jong-seung Lee and Byeong-seok Cho pretty much sealed the prize.

The Czech Republic defeated host Japan 4-0 for the bronze medal.

The tournament featured four of the eight teams preparing for the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games in March, and also served as a 20-year celebration of the Nagano 1998 Paralympic Winter Games.

The competition has been held since 2008 and marks the first time the local government co-hosted the tournament. Around 1,500 elementary and junior high school students watched the action.

Torino, Italy, will also hold an international friendly tournament from 22-27 January that features defending Paralympic champions the USA, Italy, Japan and Norway.