The Philippine men’s national curling team is set to receive a hero’s welcome upon their return to the country on Saturday night after clinching the nation’s first-ever gold medal at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.
The team delivered a historic performance by defeating previously unbeaten South Korea, 5-3, in the championship match at the Harbin Pingfang Curling Arena. This landmark victory marks a significant milestone for Philippine winter sports, proving that Filipino athletes can excel even in disciplines traditionally dominated by colder-climate nations.
The team is expected to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Parañaque City at around 10:30 p.m., where a warm reception awaits them.
A Historic Journey to Gold
The road to victory was far from easy. The Filipino curlers faced a tough start, losing their opening match to South Korea 6-1 in the group stage. However, they rebounded with determination, securing crucial wins to advance to the finals and ultimately avenge their early defeat against the Koreans.
Team captain Marc Angelo Pfister, along with teammates Enrico Gabriel Pfister, Christian Patrick Haller, and Alan Beat Frei, showcased exceptional strategy and resilience to secure the gold. The contingent was led by Curling Winter Sports Association of the Philippines (CWSAP) president Benjo Delarmente, alongside team officials Jessica Sarah Pfister and Miguel Gutierrez.
Speaking about the decisive moment in the final match, Christian Patrick Haller shared with Xinhua News Agency, “The first half of the game was crucial. We managed to take the lead at 3-1 after four ends, and from there, we held on to secure the win.”
Looking Ahead: Road to the Winter Olympics
Following their Asian Winter Games triumph, the Philippine curling team is setting its sights on even bigger goals. They are scheduled to compete in the Pan-Continental Curling Championships Division A in November, an event that could earn them a spot in the Curling World Cup.
Additionally, the team has entered two pre-qualifying tournaments in October and December, which serve as crucial stepping stones toward securing a spot in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
National Recognition and the Future of Philippine Winter Sports
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Richard Bachmann lauded the team’s achievement, calling it a groundbreaking moment for Philippine sports:
“This historic victory in men’s curling is a significant milestone, highlighting the growing diversity and strength of Philippine athletes. Our performance at the Asian Winter Games lays the foundation for greater challenges ahead, including World Championships and the Winter Olympics.”
The Philippines now shares fifth place overall in the medal tally with Uzbekistan, which also secured a single gold in figure skating. As of the latest standings, China leads the medal table with 32 golds, followed by South Korea (16), Japan (10), and Kazakhstan (4).
Accompanying the victorious team back home are Chef de Mission Richard Lim, Deputy Chef de Mission Paolo Tancontian, and Curling Pilipinas Secretary General Jarryd Bello.
With their golden feat at the Asian Winter Games, the Philippine curling team has solidified its place in the country’s sporting history and is now gearing up to take on the world stage in the years to come.
