PH figure skaters bag 2 Asian bronzes

TEAM Philippines put up a credible showing in the four-day Asian Figure Skating Trophy, bringing home two bronze medals from Bangkok recently.

Representing the Philippine Skating Union, Melissa Bulanhagui and Sofia Isabel Guidote wound up third in their respective events, enhancing the country’s stock in the prestigious competition that lured 85 athletes from 15 countries.

Bulanhagui compiled scores of 49.9 and 90.15 in her short program and free skate to claim the bronze medal in the senior ladies event ruled by Satoko Miyahara of Japan. Zhang Kexin of China settled for the silver medal.

Bulanhagui thus qualified for the Four Continents Championships in Taipei next year and the World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, Japan.

The 11-year-old Guidote also impressed in the basic novice event, where she vied against some of the best skaters from South Korea, Japan and China.

Guidote showed grace and elegance to the tune of “Malagueña.”

The Aug. 8 to 11 competition was participated in by teams from Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, Chinese Taipei, North Korea, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, the PSU has been designated as host of the 2nd World Development Trophy in April 2014 as well as the Skate Asia next year at SM Megamall.

This year’s Skate Asia was also staged in Bangkok with the SM Philippines Ice Skating team bagging 65 gold, 38 silver and 10 bronze medals. Cedelf P. Tupas