Celebrating Excellence: The Top 10 Curling Champions Shaping the Modern Game
Curling action at the Beijing Olympics. Image Credit: Casino.org
The Elite Curling Competitors to Watch in 2025
Often called “chess on ice,” curling requires a unique combination of strategic thinking, technical skill, and nerves of steel. Originating in 16th-century Scotland, this winter sport has blossomed into a global phenomenon, with elite competitions drawing athletes from Canada to Japan. The increasingly competitive field has given rise to outstanding curlers who consistently demonstrate precision and leadership under pressure. Curious about the top names making waves in curling today? Discover the ten champions defining the sport right now.
- Bruce Mouat
- Rachel Homan
- Yannick Schwaller
- Silvana Tirinzoni
- Matt Dunstone
- Anna Hasselborg
- Ross Whyte
- Eunjung Kim
- Brad Jacobs
- Satsuki Fujisawa
The Pinnacle of Curling: An Overview of Modern Legends
Ranking curlers isn’t straightforward. The game’s top athletes excel across various formats—team events, mixed doubles, and different eras of play. What unites these champions? It’s their ability to handle high-pressure moments, elevate team performance, and consistently innovate within the sport. The individuals profiled below not only dominate competitions but have also broken new ground in athleticism and strategy, inspiring the next generation of players.
Bruce Mouat: Scotland’s Master Tactician
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Scotland’s Bruce Mouat has redefined what it means to be a world-class curler. Emerging as a top competitor in the 2010s, Mouat’s tenure as skip is marked by a slew of milestones: a men’s World Championship gold in 2023, multiple European Championships (2018, 2021–2023), and an impressive nine Grand Slam victories. His silver performance at the 2022 Olympics highlighted his ability to execute breathtaking shots under immense pressure, like his famously precise double at the Beijing Games. Mouat’s collaboration with teammates Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie, and Hammy McMillan Jr. has become a model of cohesion and resilience, setting new standards for Scottish and international curling alike.
Rachel Homan: Canada’s Fierce Trailblazer
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Rachel Homan has earned her reputation as one of Canada’s most dominant skips. A multiple Scotties Tournament of Hearts winner (2013, 2014, 2017, 2024) and two-time world champion (2017, 2024), Homan is not only skilled but fearless—her aggressive shot selection and clutch performances have repeatedly clinched titles for Team Canada. In 2024, she notably led her team in toppling Switzerland’s 42-game unbeaten run, securing Canada’s first women’s world gold in years. Homan’s precision draws and takeouts, showcased in high-stakes Grand Slam events, have cemented her as a leader and role model within the sport.
Yannick Schwaller: Swiss Talent on the Rise
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Yannick Schwaller’s rapid ascent in curling began with a World Junior Championship win in 2014. Since then, Schwaller has claimed numerous Swiss men’s national titles, including a memorable 2020 championship victory. His calm demeanor and precise shot-making were on full display during the 2024 World Men’s Doubles, helping his team decisively outscore formidable opponents. Schwaller’s leadership continues to inspire Swiss teams, with the promise of even greater achievements ahead.
Silvana Tirinzoni: Switzerland’s Record-Breaking Skip
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Silvana Tirinzoni stands as one of curling’s most decorated figures, leading Switzerland’s women’s team to four world titles (2019, 2021–2023) and a record-setting 42-game winning streak at World Championships. Her strategic acumen and unshakeable focus have propelled her squad to the forefront of international curling, earning numerous Grand Slam victories and a 2023 European Championship gold. Known for her methodical play and adaptability, Tirinzoni’s legacy as a skip is unrivaled in modern Swiss curling.
Matt Dunstone: Canada’s Young Gunslinger
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“The Sheriff” Matt Dunstone is a force on the ice, known for his shot-making prowess and competitive fire. Dunstone’s junior triumphs—two Canadian junior titles and World Junior bronze medals—quickly translated to success on the men’s stage. After making his mark with a provincial championship and a Grand Slam victory over Brad Gushue, Dunstone has appeared in multiple Briers and consistently medaled. His bold style and tactical sense promise an exciting future for Canadian curling leadership.
Anna Hasselborg: Sweden’s Golden Phenomenon
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Anna Hasselborg has brought a new level of excellence to Swedish curling. With deep family roots in the sport, she has amassed an impressive collection of titles: six Swedish national championships, an Olympic gold medal, and the distinction of being the first curler to simultaneously hold the European, World Mixed Doubles, and Olympic titles in 2019. Her ability to read the ice and deliver decisive shots, including the historic runback at the 2019 European Championship, makes Hasselborg one of the sport’s most formidable competitors.
Ross Whyte: Scotland’s Rising Star
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Ross Whyte has quickly ascended the ranks of international curling from junior stand-out to top-tier professional. Initially making waves with silver and bronze medals at junior championships, Whyte then contributed to Scotland’s European title runs and secured a silver at the 2022 Olympics as an alternate. By 2024, his skill as a skip and crucial performances in Grand Slam events had him recognized among the world’s best, carrying the legacy of Scottish curling forward.
Eunjung Kim: South Korea’s Curling Icon
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Eunjung Kim, nicknamed “Annie,” is celebrated for putting Korean curling on the world map. As skip for the famed “Garlic Girls,” Kim led her squad to a silver medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics—an unprecedented achievement for South Korea. Her adaptability and precise throwing have helped her team capture multiple national and international titles, including a landmark win at the Pacific-Asia Championship in 2016. Kim’s influence cemented Uiseong as Korea’s curling hub and inspired a new generation of players across Asia.
Brad Jacobs: Canada’s Olympic Champion
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Brad Jacobs is a fixture in Canadian curling history, known for his physical style and athletic leadership. Olympian and Brier champion, Jacobs delivered Canada’s gold at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and achieved silver at the 2013 World Championships. With 12 Northern Ontario provincial titles to his name, he transformed team fitness into a core part of curling success. Jacobs’ approach inspired a shift in curling culture toward greater athleticism and preparation.
Satsuki Fujisawa: Japan’s Curtain-Raising Star
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Satsuki Fujisawa is at the forefront of Japanese curling, guiding her team to historic firsts: six national titles, Japan’s inaugural Canadian Open Grand Slam win in 2023, and an Olympic silver medal in 2016. Renowned for her technical mastery and tenacity, she also champions mixed doubles success alongside Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi. Fujisawa’s performances have propelled Japan onto the international stage and inspired an expanding community of passionate curlers throughout Asia.
How These Champions Transformed Modern Curling
Each athlete in this top ten list has driven the sport to new heights—on and off the ice. From Silvana Tirinzoni’s string of world titles to Rachel Homan and Anna Hasselborg’s barrier-breaking performances, these curlers have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and exceptional technical skill.
Brad Jacobs’ Olympic journey reshaped curling’s focus on athleticism, while trailblazers like Eunjung Kim and Satsuki Fujisawa opened doors for Asian curling to gain a global foothold. Through their triumphs, these champions have made curling faster, more strategic, and more inclusive, leaving an indelible mark on the sport’s evolution.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer to “chess on ice,” these athletes exemplify the talent, resilience, and vision that set curling’s true legends apart.
