Marc Gonzales Makes History at World Junior Short Track Championships

05 March 2018

Marc Gonzales made history as the first short track speed skater to represent the Philippines at an ISU Championship. He competed at the 2018 ISU World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Poland, last March 2-4.

One of the youngest male skaters in the event, the 15-year-old Gonzales competed in the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m distances. In the 500m event, he placed third in both his Preliminaries and Ranking Finals group, and finished in 51st place overall.  In the 1000m, he placed fourth in his Preliminary group and fifth in his Ranking Finals group, bringing him to an overall 59th place finish. In the 1500m, he finished in sixth in his Preliminary group and in third in his Ranking Finals group. He rounded out his debut by finishing the entire competition in 59th place overall out of 88 participating skaters.

Gonzales was among the highest-placed Southeast Asian skaters of the event. He set personal best times in all distances and was able to reach the qualifying time for the ISU World Cup and ISU World Championships, which he will be eligible for in the 2018-2019 season. His recorded times at this event are also National Records for the Philippines.

Gonzales is one of the prime hopefuls for a medal for the Philippines at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.