Harbin: South Korea claimed silver in the mixed doubles curling event at the Asian Winter Games on Saturday after narrowly losing to Japan in the tense final. Kim Kyeong-ae and Seong Ji-hoon fell to Tori Koana and Go Aoki 7-6 at Harbin Pingfang District Curling Arena in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the teams traded two points each in the first two ends. With Japan holding the hammer, South Korea stole two points to begin the final after Go Aoki failed to execute a takeout with the last Japanese stone. However, in the second end, Kim couldn't quite push a Japanese stone out of the house, allowing Aoki to secure two points with his last shot.

The match remained tightly contested, with South Korea grabbing a point in the third end thanks to Kim's draw with the last stone. Japan, however, regained the lead with two points in the fourth end, moving ahead 4-3.

Japan extended its advantage to 5-3 after the fifth end, as South Korea faced challenges with its shots. South Korea managed only a point in the sixth end but then stole two points in the seventh end due to Kim's precise shotmaking.

The final end saw Japan clinch victory with two points after Kim was unable to remove Japanese rocks with her last shot. Koana and Aoki, ranked No. 5 in the mixed doubles world rankings, bested Kim and Seong, who are ranked No. 59.

The mixed doubles event made its Asian Games debut this year. South Korea remains hopeful for additional medals in the women's and men's events later in the seven-day Asiad.