READY. Kevin Villanueva in action during practice session at the SM Megamall Ice Skating Rink in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday. Villanueva is one of the participants in the Philippine Open Short Track Championships set on Thursday at the same venue. (PNA photo by Jess Escaros)
MANILA – The Philippine Skating Union (PSU) will hold the Philippine Open Short Track Championships at the SM Megamall Ice Skating Rink in Mandaluyong City on Sept. 27.
PSU president Josie Veguillas, who is also the Asian Skating Union (ASU) vice president, said the tournament will serve as basis for the selection of national team members.
"This is the first National Championships to be held for short track speed skating in the Philippines. The tournament is also one of the deciding factors as to who will represent the country in the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) next year," Veguillas said in an interview on Tuesday.
Leading the participants are Marc Gonzales, Julian Macaraeg, Kevin Villanueva, Anna Cruz, Molly Martinez and Kayla Gonzales.
Villanueva, who is being trained by 2017 SEAG veteran Kathryn Magno, hopes to do well and make it to the national team.
"I am looking forward to a successful campaign in a challenging competition," said the 20-year-old Villanueva, a teacher at Sto. Niño School of Muntinlupa City.
Villanueva's first tournament was the Southeast Asia Speed Skating Trophy in Singapore last March. He placed fifth among 11 entries.
Magno, who was born to Filipino parents in San Jose, California, noted that the Filipinos have the talent in the sport.
"They (Filipinos) have a lot of potential. Given the proper training, they can excel," said the 28-year-old Magno, who won three golds (500-m, 1,00m and 1,500m) in the South East Asia Cup in Singapore two years ago.
Magno has competed in the 2017 Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan. She also won three bronze medals in the 2014 Asian Short Track Speed Skating Trophy in Mandaluyong City.
Meanwhile, the three-day training being conducted by coaches Kelvin Nicholle of New Zealand and Maggie Holland of Australia will end on Wednesday.
Nicholle has officiated in various international competitions. He has conducted multiple seminars on short speed skating officiating in Asia and Australia.
Holland, on the other hand, has many years of coaching both long track and short track speed skating. During her term as coach of the Australian short track team, they won many medals in the world championships. At present, she is head coach in one of the premier short track clubs in Australia.
The camp activities include enhancement of speed and skating skills, on-ice drills, off-ice strengthening and conditioning as well as improvements in balance and skating technique. (PNA)
