![]() SooHyuk Kim (Gangwon, KOR) wins the Hokkaido Bank Curling Classic, defeating Yusuke Morozumi (Karuizawa, JPN) 8-7 in an extra end. Kim with Taehwan Kim at third along with Jongdeok Park and Yunho Nam on the front end take home the $11,427CDN first place cheque along with 15.094 world ranking points, while Morozumi receives $5,713CDN and 11.860 world ranking points for their second place finish. Starting with hammer, Kim scored 3 in the first end, after Morozumi responded by scoring 3 in an offensive opening two ends. Kim scored a single in the third end, then forced Morozumi to a single in the fourth end to tie the game at 4. Kim scored 2 in the fifth end, then added a steal in the sixth end. After a blank end in seven, Morozumi scored 3 in the eighth end to tie the game and send to an extra end. Kim was able to score a single for the 7-6 win. Shinya Abe (Sapporo, JPN) defeated Gaku Suzuki (Sapporo, JPN) 7-4 in the bronze medal game. Abe won $2,285CDN and 9.164 world ranking points, while Suzuki earned 6.469 ranking points. Kim went 2-1 in the 8 team, two pool qualifying round. In their opening game, Kim lost 7-5 to Junpei Kanda (Tokyo, JPN), then responded with a 10-2 win over Kanya Shimizuno (Furano, JPN). Kim won against Morozumi 7-3 in their final qualifying round match to clinch a playoff berth. |