Philippine National Volleyball Federation to host AVC Beach Tour
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Tolentino to lead 19-athlete Philippines in Asian Winter Games
Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), will lead the nation's biggest-ever delegation to the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.
As it prepares for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, the Philippines hopes to obtain vital international exposure with 20 athletes competing in a variety of disciplines.
Tolentino expressed confidence in the 19-member group, which is primarily made up of Filipino-foreigners from the Philippines who have acclimated well to winter circumstances and sports that aren't typically offered in the country.
PHOTO COURTESY: ISABELLA GAMEZ AND ALEXANDER KOROVIN INSTAGRAM PAGE
“I believe our winter sport athletes can deliver, not in terms of medals, but in terms of the exposure and experience that’s needed as we also put weight on our thrust for the Winter Olympics,” Tolentino said on Monday, February 3.
An opening ceremony on Friday, February 7, at the Harbin International Convention Exhibition and Sports Center, marks the formal start of the Games, which will run through February 14.
Prominent figures in international winter sports competitions include slalom skiers Francis Ceccarelli and Tallulah Proulx, figure skating duo Isabella Gamez and naturalized Russian Alexander Korovin, and individual figure skaters Paolo Borromeo, Cathryn Limketkai, and Sofia Frank.
Young talents Laetaz Amihan Rabe and Peter Groseclose will compete in several snowboarding events and speed skating competitions, respectively, while the five-person men’s and women’s curling teams will complete the Philippine delegation.
Snowboarder Adrian Lee Tongko, was set to complete the nation's largest-ever group of 20, but he decided to withdraw due to an unfortunate knee injury just days before the Harbin Games.
“We are optimistic and confident this team would get all the honing opportunities that would help them qualify for next year’s Winter Olympics,” Tolentino added.
“We’ve already succeeded in winning gold medals in the Summer Olympics, and the thrust is to win medals in the Winter Olympics.”
Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country, curling, figure skating, freestyle skating, ice hockey, short track speed skating, ski climbing, snowboarding, and speed skating are among the 11 sports in which 1,275 competitors from 34 countries are competing in 64 events in Harbin.
Italy will host the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina from February 6 to 22, 2026.
