SM Skating’s Homegrown Filipino Skaters Make History with 2 Golds, a Silver, and a Bronze

The Philippines’ Home of the Ice-Skating Champions celebrates homegrown athletes who make history at the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2026

DEHRADUN, India, 19th August, 2026 – Philippine short track speed skating reached a historic milestone as three Filipino athletes brought home four medals—the country’s first-ever podium finishes at the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy.

Leading the breakthrough performance was 13-year-old Keirsten Layne Fernandez, who captured two gold medals in the Junior C Girls category. Fernandez topped the 1,000-meter event with a time of 1:44.307, earning the Philippines’ first-ever gold medal in the competition.

She followed her historic victory with another gold in the 777-meter event, clocking 1:19.989 to complete a remarkable two-gold campaign and emerge as the Philippines’ most successful athlete at the competition.

Gold Medalist – 1000M & 777M Events - Keirsten Layne Fernandez 

Joining Fernandez on the podium was Xsandrie Guimba, 23, who secured the silver medal in the Senior Women’s 1,000-meter event with a time of 1:52.003.

The Philippine medal haul began with the country’s youngest medalist, eight-year-old Zymone Zurbito, who claimed bronze in the Junior F Boys’ 333-meter event. His podium finish marked the Philippines’ first medal of the competition and set the stage for the historic results that followed.

Silver Medalist 1,000-meter event Xsandrie Guimba & Bronze Medalist 333-meter event Zymone Zurbito

Three athletes. Four medals. One historic milestone for Philippine skating.

Their success also demonstrates the growing depth of Philippine short track speed skating across different age groups—from eight-year-old Zurbito earning his first international podium finish, to 13-year-old Fernandez making history with two gold medals, and senior athlete Guimba competing against some of the region’s strongest skaters.

From First Steps to the International Stage

More than the medals, the achievement highlights the growing potential of Filipino athletes in ice sports and the opportunities for homegrown talent to pursue the sport at a higher level.

All three medalists share a meaningful beginning—they took their first steps on the ice at SM Skating, the skating brand of SM Sports and Leisure Center (SLC), where they learned the fundamentals of skating and began developing their skills.

“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.

Philippine Speed Skating Team at the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating 2026 at DEHRADUN, India
(L to R - Coach Kevin Villanueva, Hans Buemio, Coach Jimmy Jang, Xsandrie Guimba, Karmelo Dalicana, Zymone Zurbito, Keirsten Fernandez, Jan Gonzales, John Cyrus, Coach Chino Malatapang)

Through SM Skating, SLC continues to provide Filipinos with opportunities to learn, develop, and pursue their passion for ice sports. In partnership with the Philippine Skating Union (PHSU), SM Skating also provides a pathway for aspiring skaters to build their skills through structured training and gain opportunities to progress toward competitive skating.

From learning to skate in the Philippines to competing against athletes from across Asia, their journey reflects how access to skating can open opportunities for young Filipinos to discover their passion, build confidence, and pursue excellence on the international stage.

About SM Sports and Leisure Center

With the mission of revolutionizing fitness and sports engagement in the country, SM Sports and Leisure Centers (SLC) is dedicated to max out the sports experiences of Filipinos—whether through fun bonding moments or high adrenaline competition. Its commitment is to building spaces Where Winning Begins, conducive to bringing out the best in every moment, play, and routine.