Men's curling team celebrates PH's first Asian Winter Games gold | ABS-CBN
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Men's curling team celebrates PH's first Asian Winter Games gold
Men's curling team celebrates PH's first Asian Winter Games gold
History was made on Friday as the Philippine men’s curling team took home the country’s first Asian Winter Games gold medal in Harbin, China.
History was made on Friday as the Philippine men’s curling team took home the country’s first Asian Winter Games gold medal in Harbin, China.
The quintet of Alan Frei, Marc Pfister, Enrico Pfister, and Christian Haller outlasted South Korea, 5-3, in the men's curling event to clinch the country's breakthrough podium finish in the history of the Games.
The quintet of Alan Frei, Marc Pfister, Enrico Pfister, and Christian Haller outlasted South Korea, 5-3, in the men's curling event to clinch the country's breakthrough podium finish in the history of the Games.
They successfully exacted revenge to the same team which handed them a 1-6 defeat days ago.
They successfully exacted revenge to the same team which handed them a 1-6 defeat days ago.
The curlers also had to stun China in the semis, 7-6, to reach the championship match.
The curlers also had to stun China in the semis, 7-6, to reach the championship match.
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The golden triumph was unexpected — to say the least — according to the Philippines' curling heroes.
The golden triumph was unexpected — to say the least — according to the Philippines' curling heroes.
“We didn’t expect that, but we'll take it,” said Marc.
“We didn’t expect that, but we'll take it,” said Marc.
“We’re as surprised as you are,” Frei said.
“We’re as surprised as you are,” Frei said.
“You have to know the other team, Japan, Korea and China are professionals and we three we have to work hard for our money,” said Enrico, the younger of the Pfisters.
“You have to know the other team, Japan, Korea and China are professionals and we three we have to work hard for our money,” said Enrico, the younger of the Pfisters.
Born in Switzerland to Filipina moms, the team members do not lack the Pinoy pride as they proudly represented the national tri-colors in the international sporting event.
Born in Switzerland to Filipina moms, the team members do not lack the Pinoy pride as they proudly represented the national tri-colors in the international sporting event.
“We’re very, very proud to be Filipinos,” Frei said.
“We’re very, very proud to be Filipinos,” Frei said.
Enrico is the youngest at 33 years old, who works as an electrician. His brother, Marc, is 35 and works in construction. Meanwhile, Haller is a banker, while Frei is a businessman.
Enrico is the youngest at 33 years old, who works as an electrician. His brother, Marc, is 35 and works in construction. Meanwhile, Haller is a banker, while Frei is a businessman.
Despite the differences in occupations, they got together because of their love for the sport.
Despite the differences in occupations, they got together because of their love for the sport.
Aside from motivating Filipinos to join curling, the next goal for the team is to try and qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Aside from motivating Filipinos to join curling, the next goal for the team is to try and qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
“We want to inspire also people in the Philippines, new generation coming up playing curling,” Frei said.
“We want to inspire also people in the Philippines, new generation coming up playing curling,” Frei said.
“It’s a long way to go,” he added. “This medal is very nice, but it doesn’t help us for our dream for the Olympics—it’s day one.”
“It’s a long way to go,” he added. “This medal is very nice, but it doesn’t help us for our dream for the Olympics—it’s day one.”
“This tournament has shown us what is possible. We’re in a good path and we’re just going to keep going,” Haller stressed.
“This tournament has shown us what is possible. We’re in a good path and we’re just going to keep going,” Haller stressed.
They're happy to be able to achieve their first goal to bring awareness to Filipinos about the sport of curling.
They're happy to be able to achieve their first goal to bring awareness to Filipinos about the sport of curling.
Read More:
abssports
absnews
curling
Asian Winter Games
Harbin Games
Alan Frei
Marc Pfister
Christian Haller
Enrico Pfister
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