The Philippines scripted history on Friday as the men’s curling team produced the country’s first ever Asian Winter Games gold medal in the finals in Harbin, China.
The country’s men’s curling team defeated South Korea, 5-3, in the gold medal match. With this the nation became the first Southeast Asian nation to pull off the feat in the history of the Games.
In the gold medal match, the Filipino athletes established an early 3-1 lead, but the Koreans came back to tie the score, 3-all.
The Filipinos grabbed the lead once more, 4-3, and fended off their opponents successfully.
The country entered the final after the team of Marc Angelo Pfister, Alan Beat Frei, Christian Patrick Haller, Enrico Gabriel Pfister, and Benjo Delarmente stunned host country China, 7-6 last night. They also beat Japan, 10-4, in the semis qualifier.
The Philippines finished second in Group A of the round robin with a 3-1 win-loss card. It opened its campaign with a loss to South Korea, 6-1, before posting three straight wins against Kazakhstan (4-1), Kyrgyzstan (12-2), and Chinese Taipei (11-3).
Curling Pilipinas, officially known as the Curling Winter Sports Association of the Philippines, is composed of Filipinos residing in the United States, Canada, and Switzerland.
Ten of the 20 athletes from the country at the Harbin Games 2025 were curlers, marking an impressive progression given that the federation was only formally established in 2023.
The Winter Games will be a key milestone in their journey, ahead of the Pre-Olympic Qualification event later this year.
Also Read: Asian Winter Games 2025: Japan, China Win Gold In Snowboard Halfpipe Without Final Round
Philippines Curling Team at Asian Winter Games 2025
Mixed doubles
- Marc Pfister
- Kathleen Dubberstein
Men’s tournament
- Benjo Delarmente
- Alan Frei
- Christian Haller
- Enrico Pfister
- Marc Pfister
Women’s tournament
- Anne Bonache
- Kathleen Dubberstein
- Leilani Dubberstein
- Sheila Marinao
