Meet our Olympic Hopefuls
20 August 2021
by: PHSU
by: PHSU
The Philippine Skating Union is pleased to share that three skaters representing the federation are one step closer to fulfilling one of the biggest dreams as an athlete: the Olympics.
For figure skating, we have Edrian Paul Celestino & Sofia Frank for the male and female category [respectively], while Julian Macaraeg will fly solo for speed skating.
Twenty-three-year-old Edrian bested out two other male elite athletes based on combined scores from the virtual competition of PHSU Olympic Qualifier Evaluation and the in-person competition of the Quebec Summer Championships. He is now training for the Nebelhorn Trophy, the Olympic qualifier event to be held at Oberstdorf, Germany on September 22-25.
“I think the one thing that I really look forward to is to be able to showcase my talent to the world and to also try to inspire upcoming generations that want to pursue figure skating. I think that’s one thing I look forward to in the coming years,” Edrian said.
The skaters who finish on the Top 7 can be assured of a slot at the Winter Olympics come February next year.
Just like Edrian, up-and-coming athlete Sofia Frank will be competing at the Nebelhorn Trophy next month. The sixteen-year-old is the latest addition to the Philippine National Pool.
“I think I really need to work on getting more consistent and working on my artistry and components on getting higher marks… and my spins also in getting those levels and just making sure where everything is where it needs to be,” Sofia explains.
On the other hand, our lone representative for speed skating, eighteen-year-old Julian, will undergo not just one but four tournaments of the World Cups Series to secure a slot for Beijing 2022. In a span of four weeks, the series will be held across Europe and Asia from October to November of this year. Only the Top 32 for the 500 m and 1000m races and the Top 36 of the 1,500 m race from the Series will qualify for the Olympics.
“This is probably my biggest season, the season I prepared the most for, because this season is the Olympic season and my goal is to compete in Beijing,” Julian said. “And since I want to compete in Beijing, that’s what I’m looking forward to the most. [And the] preparation before that is also one of the most exciting things about this season.
I want to showcase all the talent and hard work I’ve done this summer in the upcoming competitions.”
All three skaters are based abroad where they admit that they consider themselves “fortunate” going back to training in the New Normal where rinks are operating. Health protocols are still being followed within limited capacity.
The Philippine Skating Union wishes our athletes the best and extends our outpouring support. Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!
For figure skating, we have Edrian Paul Celestino & Sofia Frank for the male and female category [respectively], while Julian Macaraeg will fly solo for speed skating.
Twenty-three-year-old Edrian bested out two other male elite athletes based on combined scores from the virtual competition of PHSU Olympic Qualifier Evaluation and the in-person competition of the Quebec Summer Championships. He is now training for the Nebelhorn Trophy, the Olympic qualifier event to be held at Oberstdorf, Germany on September 22-25.
“I think the one thing that I really look forward to is to be able to showcase my talent to the world and to also try to inspire upcoming generations that want to pursue figure skating. I think that’s one thing I look forward to in the coming years,” Edrian said.
The skaters who finish on the Top 7 can be assured of a slot at the Winter Olympics come February next year.
Just like Edrian, up-and-coming athlete Sofia Frank will be competing at the Nebelhorn Trophy next month. The sixteen-year-old is the latest addition to the Philippine National Pool.
“I think I really need to work on getting more consistent and working on my artistry and components on getting higher marks… and my spins also in getting those levels and just making sure where everything is where it needs to be,” Sofia explains.
On the other hand, our lone representative for speed skating, eighteen-year-old Julian, will undergo not just one but four tournaments of the World Cups Series to secure a slot for Beijing 2022. In a span of four weeks, the series will be held across Europe and Asia from October to November of this year. Only the Top 32 for the 500 m and 1000m races and the Top 36 of the 1,500 m race from the Series will qualify for the Olympics.
“This is probably my biggest season, the season I prepared the most for, because this season is the Olympic season and my goal is to compete in Beijing,” Julian said. “And since I want to compete in Beijing, that’s what I’m looking forward to the most. [And the] preparation before that is also one of the most exciting things about this season.
I want to showcase all the talent and hard work I’ve done this summer in the upcoming competitions.”
All three skaters are based abroad where they admit that they consider themselves “fortunate” going back to training in the New Normal where rinks are operating. Health protocols are still being followed within limited capacity.
The Philippine Skating Union wishes our athletes the best and extends our outpouring support. Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!