Fil-Am leads Philippines in Winter Games

MANILA, Philippines - After her treble in the International Skating Union (ISU) Tri-Series South East Asia Cup last year, Fil-Am short-track speed skater Kathryn Magno sets out for a bigger challenge – against elite athletes in the continent – as she competes in the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan next week.

The San Jose, California-based Magno, who won the 500-meter, 1,000-meter and 1,500-meter as a self-funded lone Pinay competitor in the ISU SEA Cup, joins a 29-athlete Philippine contingent bound for action in the Feb. 19-26 Asian Winter Games.

‘I’m really excited (to be part of Team Philippines),” Magno said yesterday when she graced the Philippine Olympic Committee’s radio program on DZSR.

Magno will have her hands full against world-class rivals led by speed skaters from Korea, Japan, and China on her maiden campaign in a major multi-sport competition.

“I was able to take down my time and increase my speed (since the SEA Cup) and I’m looking forward to improving my personal best (times in the Games) as this will also help me qualify for the World Series,” she said.

A former figure skater who shifted to speed skating two years ago, Magno is the first Filipino to compete in the discipline in the Asian Winter Games.

The 26-year-old is actually part of the largest delegation Phl is sending to the quadrennial joust.

Winter Olympian Michael Martinez headlines the contingent as he is entered in men’s figure skating along with Jules Ape. Rounding out the squad are female figure skaters Samantha Cabiles and Shayane Casapao, Fil-Am snowboarder Ryan Espiritu, and the 23-man ice hockey team.

From the Asian Winter Games, Magno, Martinez and the figure skaters, and the ice hockey bets wear the Phl colors again in the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia in August.