Skater Julian Macaraeg. PHSU PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Skater Julian Macaraeg is set to represent the Philippines in the 2021 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships this weekend.
The 17-year-old is the only Filipino in the competition and just one of two participants from tropical countries that would compete in the world championships.
India’s Akash Aradhya is the other participant to come from a country that sees no snow.
Macaraeg, as per the Philippine Skating Union, already arrived in Dordrecht in the Netherlands where the competition will be held from March 5 to 7.
The former hockey player out of New York was also the first Filipino to compete in the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics short track speed skating event. The other Filipino qualified for the Games is Alpine skier Ana Wahleithner.
Macaraeg competed in the 500-meter race in Lausanne, Switzerland where he reached the quarterfinals.