Canada, the sports's dominant nation who have won three of the last four world titles, never recovered from conceding two points in the first end, eventually slipping to an 8-3 loss to the Asian side.

It got China's quest to improve upon the bronze medal they won at the 2013 event in Sochi.off to a perfect start.

Elsewhere, Sweden won the day's tightest encounter, edging Scandinavian neighbours Norway 7-6, while Finland ran out more comfortable 11-8 winners over Slovakia.

Sochi 2014 silver medal winners, and 2012 world champions, Russia beat the United States 10-5 as Scotland cruised past Germany 12-2.

Five matches took place this afternoon as action began in Finland
©WCF/Alina Pavlyuchik



Round-robin action at the Kisakallio Sports Institute in the Finnish town will continue over the next five days, before semi-finals and finals are due to take place next Friday (February 13).

Action got underway following an Opening Ceremony in Finland this afternoon, with another full set of matches to take place tomorrow in the mixed gender sport, part of the Winter Paralympic programme since Turin 2006. 

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