FILIPINOS will finally see national figure skaters going up against an elite foreign cast in the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy unfolding today at the SM Skating Mall of Asia rink in Pasay City.
Sanctioned by the International Skating Union (ISU) and the Asian Skating Union (ASU), this prestigious event marks the start of the 2026 Winter Olympic season and brings together over 170 athletes from 19 countries, according to Philippine Skating Union president Nikki Cheng.
“The top guns from Asia such as South Korea, China, and Kazakhstan, alongside rising stars from Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, will be vying in this figure skating showcase,” she said.
Among those vying in the five-day tournament is 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games veteran Zhu Yi of China and six-time men’s national champion Dias Derenbayev of Kazakhstan.
“Our hosting of this event is also a testament to the growing capability of our country to stage international sporting events while highlighting our famed warmth and hospitality,” said the skating chief of the meet backed by the ISU Development Commission, Philippine Sports Commission and Milo.
She said the Filipino figure skaters will be extra motivated to perform well since the blue-ribbon competition will serve as the tryouts for the 2026 Olympic qualifier pool and the 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games in December.
The national senior team will be bannered by Harbin Asian Winter Games veterans Cathryn Limketkai and Sofia Frank, plus pair skaters Isabella Gomez and Alexander Korovin, who also saw action in the Asian meet.
The others are Brandon James Baldoz, Paolo Borromeo, Charmaine Skye Cyua, Skye Frances Patenia and Maxine Bautista.
