Bautista impresses at Asian Open, boosts SEA Games hopes

Reigning national figure skating champion Maxine Bautista delivered a solid performance at the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy 2025, finishing 11th overall in the senior women’s division as the five-day tournament wrapped up Tuesday night, August 5, at the Mall of Asia Skating Rink.

Skating to “Now We Are Free” from Gladiator, the 24-year-old Chicago-based skater earned a total of 105.69 points, improving from her earlier short program.

“This is definitely better than (what I did in) the short program,” said Bautista, who now places herself in strong consideration for a spot on Team Philippines for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.

“I’m happy about this. This is definitely an improvement,” she added, visibly pleased with her rebound performance.

Bautista was the second-highest Southeast Asian finisher, behind Malaysia’s Audrey Lee, who placed 9th overall with 108.99 points. Boston-based Cathryn Limketkai, who led Bautista in the short program, finished 12th with 105.03.

China swept the senior women’s podium, led by Ruiyang Zheng (168.41), followed by Yi Zhu (160.63) and Wandi Xu (142.86).

In the senior men’s division, South Korea’s Kim Hyun-gyeom, the 2024 Youth Olympic gold medalist, won the senior men’s gold, while Taiwan’s Yu Hsiang Li took silver.

Thailand’s Hiro Kaewthathip won the junior men’s event, with Hong Kong’s Jarvis Ho and Jiarui Li earning silver and bronze.

The Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy 2025, sanctioned by both the International Skating Union (ISU) and the Asian Skating Union (ASU), featured over 170 skaters from 19 countries, officially kicking off the 2026 Winter Olympic season.