The 7th Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy blasted off yesterday at the SM Skating Rink of the Mall of Asia in Pasay City, with more than 100 skaters vying for the coveted awards.
The country is fielding nine Filipino bets in the four-day competition bannered by 2013 International Skating Union (ISU) Asian Trophy bronze medalist Sofia Guidote.
Also competing in the tilt include Bianca Arianne Vinarao, Elia Mariel Mendoza and Dianne Gabrielle Panlilio, to name a few.
Events at stake in this annual competition are Advanced Novice Girls, Basic Novice Girls, Junior Ladies, and Junior Men.
A total of 128 participants confirmed their participation this year – the largest field recorded so far – with 33 medals at stake.
Aside from the Philippines, participating countries include Australia, Korea, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Thailand, New Zealand, Uzbekistan, and Japan.
Hosted by the Philippine Skating Union for the first time, this year’s edition will also re-introduce the pair skating event after years of absence in the competition.