Fil-Am bags Asian speed skating bronze

MANILA, Philippines - Kathryn Victory Magno flashed superb form and finished behind a pair of South Korean aces to capture the bronze medal in the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy at the SM Skating Rink at SM Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall recently.

Magno, the lone Philippine entry in the event held for the first time in the country, actually showed up the 71-skater field in the early going but the 24-year-old Fil-Am and former national figure skater settled for third in three minutes and six seconds.

Ji-Hyun Choi and Ju-Young Kim made it a 1-2 finish for South Korea in the first round of the senior ladies division of the event hosted by the Philippine Skating Union.

Usually held in South Korea or Japan, the International Skating Union through its regional arm, the Asian Skating Union partnered with the PSU to stage the country’s very first speed skating competition.

“We are very happy to have the tournament in the Philippines” said Myong Hi-Chang, president of the ASU.

“With the event held for the first time in the Philippines, we are very impressed with the SM Skating Rink and the PSU,” said Sonia Chong, events official for the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy.

Meanwhile, Magno, who has recently made a switch to Short Track Speed Skating, resumed her gold medal hunt in the second round of the two-day event yesterday. The final day of competition will be held starting at 12:40 p.m. today, also at SM Megamall’s Skating Rink.

Admission is free. For details on the Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2014, visit www.facebook.com/smiceskating or dial 556-0471.