Philippines Secures First-Ever Medals at Asian Open Short Track Trophy with Two Golds

Thirteen-year-old Keirsten Layne Fernandez has delivered the Philippines its first-ever gold medals at the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy, sweeping two events at the Himadri Ice Rink in Dehradun, India. The Cagayan native captured the Junior C Girls 1000-meter title on August 19, 2026, before returning the following day to win the 777-meter race, anchoring a historic four-medal campaign for the tropical nation.[2][4][5]

Fernandez secured the breakthrough 1000-meter victory by clocking 1:44.307, narrowly outlasting Indonesia's Matsuri Kinasih, who finished second in 1:44.636. Hong Kong's Jacey Yeung claimed the bronze with a time of 1:45.727. The victory marked the first time a Filipino athlete stood atop the podium in the continental tournament's history.[2][4]

"A groundbreaking moment for Philippine speed skating as Keirsten Fernandez captures the Philippines' first-ever GOLD medal at the Asian Open Short Track Trophy 2026 in the 1000M event," the Philippine Skating Union announced following the race. "Thank you for proving that Filipino talent belongs on the international stage."[5]

The following day, Fernandez demonstrated her sprinting endurance in the 777-meter final. She crossed the finish line in 1:19.989, edging out Australia's Rachel Yi Lin Tan, who took silver in 1:20.749. Kinasih and Yeung shared the bronze medal position, both posting identical times of 1:20.779.[2][5]

The Philippine delegation's success extended beyond Fernandez's double-gold performance. Twenty-three-year-old Xsandrie Guimba earned a silver medal in the Senior Women's 1000-meter event, finishing in 1:52.003. She placed behind Thailand's Thanutchaya Chatthaisong, who took gold in 1:45.602, and ahead of China's Yuchen Liu, who secured bronze in 1:53.031.[1][4]

The country's medal haul actually began with its youngest competitor. Eight-year-old Kurt Zymone Zurbito claimed bronze in the Junior F Boys 333-meter category, finishing behind Indian skaters Yuvraj Mehta and Ivaan Arora. Zurbito's podium finish set the tone for the delegation's historic four-medal tally.[1][4]

The international triumph builds on Fernandez's dominant domestic campaign earlier in the year. During the Southeast Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy held from January 10 to 11 at the SM Skating Mall of Asia in Pasay City, she swept three gold medals across the junior girls' 1000-meter final, sprint skate, and distance categories.[2]

The athletes' progression highlights the role of domestic ice infrastructure in a tropical climate. All three medalists began their training at SM Skating facilities in the Philippines. "Every champion starts with a first step on the ice. We hope to inspire every skater to keep pushing forward, believe in their potential, and pursue their dreams," said Joseph Francis Silva, Senior Assistant Vice President for SM Sports and Leisure Center.[1]

The Dehradun results establish the Philippines as an emerging presence in Southeast Asian winter sports, challenging the traditional dominance of East Asian and Australian programs in the region. With Fernandez still competing in the Junior C category, the national federation is now positioning its young core for the upcoming 2026 ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit and future Winter Olympic qualification cycles.[1][2]