The development of skating in Southeast Asia & OAS skater updates

[Sylvia]

Article in the Phnom Penh Post: The coolest new sport: Cambodia’s ice skaters have Olympic dreams
Excerpts:

The event was organised by the one-year-old Cambodia Ice Skating Federation (CISF), a government-sanctioned body, funded largely through a sponsorship with Smart Mobile, which aims to spread the skating gospel throughout the Kingdom – a tough sell in a poor country with only one ice rink.
But they have a plan and the first part of it is the national team. To help make the team globally competitive, the Ice Park recently hired a Minnesotan coach from Los Angeles, Ben Blandford. He is assisted by a Filipino coach named Richy Nonapo, who has worked at the rink for three years.

While the national team harbours Olympic dreams, for now, their sights are set firmly on the 2017 Southeast Asia Games in Kuala Lumpur, where figure skating will be featured for the first time in the games’ 29-year history. <snip>
Outside of Cambodia, figure skating has surged in popularity throughout the region over the last few years. Rinks are commonly located in shopping malls. Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore all have internationally recognised federations (though none, besides the Philippines, has sent an athlete to the Olympics). The CISF intends to get Cambodia on that bandwagon.

(I haven't yet come across any results online for Cambodia's Nationals but did find these podium photos on FB: https://www.facebook.com/iceparkcambodia/posts/982068665161661 .)
The article also mentions that CISF secretary-general Long Sotheavy "is currently sorting out the paperwork for Cambodia to gain membership in the International Skating Union, which is required to enter the SEA Games."

Jan. 2016 Malaysian news article: Ice skating to be contested at 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia

@Seerek & others: I'm thinking this new thread could be used for updates on skating/skaters in the Philippines (Michael Christian Martinez), Malaysia (Julian Yee, Kai Xiang CHEW), Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, etc. from now on? And for Chinese Taipei (Amy Lin, Chih-I TSAO) ...
Australia/New Zealand as well or should there be a separate thread?

 

[Spun Silver]

Julian still hunting for funding, hoping to make it to Pyeongchang.
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/s...o-chill-for-national-figure-skater-julian-yee

 

[Sylvia]

Re-posting from the previous thread:

Julian Yee interview [April 23, 2016]
http://www.bfm.my/bar-none-julian-yee.html
Nice for Julian to express how much it meant for him to qualify Malaysia a spot for the Youth Winter Olympics back in February, even though he was above the age limit (16 year old Kai Xiang Chew competed, finishing 11th in Lillehammer).

The link to Yee's Go Fund Me page is posted here: Skaters' Crowdfunding page links, 2016-17 season

ETA link to an article last month on 2016 Singapore Nationals, won by Chloe Ing: http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/f...nd-awarded-artistic-trophy-at-national-cships

 

[Sylvia]

Michael Christian Martinez will return to the Philippines to instruct at 2 camps at the Mall of Asia on June 15 to 17, and at SM Seaside City Cebu on June 30 to July 1, 2016, according to these articles: http://www.manilatimes.net/martinez-to-conduct-ice-skating-camp/265229/

“It has always been my hope to begin a formal program in the Philippines in which I could help raise more Filipino figure skaters ready for the international arena,” said Martinez in a news conference on Tuesday at Aristocrat in Malate, Manila. ... <snip>
After his last leg in Cebu, Martinez is set to fly back to the United States to prepare for the next competition season in August, the Asian Trophy which will be held in Manila [August 4-7, 2016].

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/stor...inez-to-hold-figure-skating-camps-at-moa-cebu

"I'll be teaching basic stuff, the edges, the techniques of the jumps," Martinez said. ...
Martinez will also perform at an ice show and attend a meet and greet on June 18 and July 2.
On July 4, he will return to the United States to continue his training.

http://sports.inquirer.net/213522/martinez-eyes-gold-in-first-ice-skating-tilt-in-sea-games

Filipino Olympian figure skater Michael Martinez is eyeing no less than a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next year.
Ice skating is one of two winter sports to be introduced in the 2017 SEA Games, an event that could bring the Philippines a medal with Martinez a shoo-in to represent the country.

Manila Times article on Sofia Guidote, 14: http://www.manilatimes.net/young-figure-skater-guidote-exudes-huge-potential/264526/

“For me, I am not that good yet because I still have a long way to go to reach my ultimate goal which is to reach the Winter Olympics,” said Guidote.
But a foot injury prevented her from joining the [Philippines] National Figure Skating Championship in December 2015.
“I am fully recovered now. When I recovered, I did a lot of exercises for my foot to prevent injury.”

 

[Sylvia]

Michael Christian Martinez is in the Philippines now - 4 local articles:
http://www.bworldonline.com/content...-skater-is-my-calling-says-martinez&id=129301

Martinez is currently taking a break from his busy schedule of training and competition to fulfill one of his wishes for local figure skating, which is to conduct a skating camp to further advance the appeal and growth of the sport locally and give back to figure skating that has changed his life for the better in more ways than one.
“It has always been my hope to begin a formal program in the Philippines in which I could help raise more Filipino figure skaters ready for the international arena,” said Muntinlupa City’s Martinez in the run-up to the first leg of his camp that wrapped up last weekend at the SM Mall of Asia skating rink.
The second leg of the camp happens in SM Seaside City Cebu from June 30 to July 1 to be followed by a meet-and-greet with fans on July 2.

Includes a short clip: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/stor...fans-sneak-peek-of-world-class-figure-skating

Includes photos: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/stor...entors-aspiring-olympians-in-skating-workshop

http://www.manilatimes.net/martinez-shares-skills-with-children/267987/

Martinez plans to begin his international season at the Asian Open Trophy in Manila (Aug. 4-7) - competition thread in the Kiss & Cry section with preliminary entries: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/ind...ure-skating-trophy-aug-4-7-philippines.98761/

 

[Sylvia]

Michael Martinez returns home, holds figure skating camps (PHI article & photos): http://thestandard.com.ph/lifestyle...-returns-home-holds-figure-skating-camps.html

“The fire is really there to show off that I am from the Philippines. Even though we don’t have snow [and] we don’t have winter here, I wanted to show them that we can definitely do it,” said Martinez. <snip>
Amid his successful figure skating career, he said that he still wants to go back to studying. He wants to study Law and is planning to apply at several universities in the US next year.

Julian Yee (MAS) and TPE's Amy Lin and Chih-I Tsao are scheduled to perform in a July 17 show in Taipei, Taiwan, sponsored by ARTISTRY ("Asian Stars on Ice" is not affiliated with Stars on Ice, AFAIK): https://www.instagram.com/p/BG_zgD1RSrF/?taken-by=julianyeeee

Joint event thread in GSD: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/ind...d-w-lambiel-weir-asian-soi-7-17-taipei.98892/

Yee shared this clip of the challenges of skating in a humid climate : https://www.instagram.com/p/BGgCQjlRSqa/

 

[Sylvia]

Re-posting @Seerek's post here:

One interesting result from Asian Open over the weekend, where Ryom/Kim just edged out fellow North Korean team So Hyang Pak/Nam I Song for first place in pairs.

I wonder if North Korea would consider sending both to Four Continents/Challenger Series this season.

2016 Asian Open Trophy Senior Pairs Final Result (top 2 are North Korean):
1 TAE OK RYOM / JU SIK KIM PRK 144.15 2 1
2 SO HYANG PAK / NAM I SONG PRK 141.66 1 2

Senior Men Final Result - OAS skaters:
BRONZE - JULIAN ZHI JIE YEE MAS 189.01 3 3

5 CHIH I TSAO TPE 166.93 7 5
6 LESLIE MAN CHEUK IP HKG 157.91 5 7
9 MENG JU LEE TPE 116.76 9 9
10 KWUN HUNG LEUNG HKG 111.25 10 10
11 DWIKI EKA RAMADHAN INA 79.14 11 11

Senior Ladies Final Result - OAS skaters:
BRONZE - AMY LIN TPE 129.29 4 3

5 SHURAN YU SIN 111.75 5 5
7 THITA LAMSAM THA 85.66 6 8
8 PROMSAN RATTANADILOK NA PHUKET THA 82.34 9 7
10 PRISCILLA JUNE CHAU HKG 65.88 10 10

Junior Men Final Result

Junior Ladies Final Result
5th place - YI CHRISTY LEUNG HKG 120.95 10 4

6 EMMA JANG TPE 87.75 6 6
8 JOANNA SO HKG 82.96 5 11
9 JUI LI (ASHLEY) WANG TPE 81.25 9 8
11 CHING TING SU SIN 76.11 11 10
12 XIN YI LOKE SIN 73.70 12 12
13 MARIYA FILIPPOVA UZB 70.11 13 13
14 ELIA MARIEL MENDOZA PHI 61.06 16 14
15 ELISA TSUJI INA 58.23 15 15
16 TASYA PUTRI INA 54.57 17 16
17 BIANCA ARIANNE VINARAO PHI 53.45 14 17

 

[Seerek]

Thanks @Sylvia,

One other tidbit from Asian Open Trophy: Hong Kong's Christy Leung got a Senior Worlds TES minimum score in the Junior Ladies freeskate (5th overall).

I have no idea if Christy's age eligible for Senior Worlds, but it looks like it'll be another good head-to-head battle with Maisy Ma this season for at least the Junior Worlds berth.

 

[CdnSk8Fan]

Thanks @Sylvia,

One other tidbit from Asian Open Trophy: Hong Kong's Christy Leung got a Senior Worlds TES minimum score in the Junior Ladies freeskate (5th overall).

I have no idea if Christy's age eligible for Senior Worlds, but it looks like it'll be another good head-to-head battle with Maisy Ma this season for at least the Junior Worlds berth.

I think Christy Leung (Leung Yi) is/was 12 yrs as of spring -I think I saw it in an article or a news video. So may not even be age eligible for Jr Worlds.
The news video I want to say was from Hong Kong and talked about her moving to Beijing with her family for training.

 

[oubik]

Thanks @Sylvia,

One other tidbit from Asian Open Trophy: Hong Kong's Christy Leung got a Senior Worlds TES minimum score in the Junior Ladies freeskate (5th overall).

I have no idea if Christy's age eligible for Senior Worlds, but it looks like it'll be another good head-to-head battle with Maisy Ma this season for at least the Junior Worlds berth.

Never more, Seerek, by last ISU Comm with TES for this season ISU Champs you have to score in the same category (for EC and WC in senior Calendar events, for JW in junior calendar events which was the case also before).

 

[Sylvia]

Amy Lin (TPE) had to withdraw from the FS at the JGP in Yokohama this past weekend - she posted on her Instagram that "unfortunately my ankle just couldn't take it" and she "pulled a muscle in my back just after arriving." She hopes to return to Japan early next year (Sapporo) for the Asian Winter Games.

ETA (re-posting from the Philippines thread):

Michael Martinez has switched coaches (again), this time from Igor Samohin to 1996 European champ/1994 World Bronze medalist Ukraine's Viacheslav Zagorodniuk (in California).

Martinez currently is scheduled to begin his international season at the Autumn Classic International in Montreal (Pierrefonds), Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2016.

2 OAS men are scheduled to compete at Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany, Sept. 22-24, 2016:
Meng Ju LEE TPE
Julian Zhi Jie YEE MAS (who has been training in Barrie, Canada since late August)

 

[CdnSk8Fan]

I watched Julian Yee's Nebelhorn video's the other day and I just want to say "wow", he has improved so much in the past year or so since he started training in Barrie. His air positions used to be scary.
And interesting that he actually beat Liam Firus there.

 

[Seerek]

I think Christy Leung (Leung Yi) is/was 12 yrs as of spring -I think I saw it in an article or a news video. So may not even be age eligible for Jr Worlds.
The news video I want to say was from Hong Kong and talked about her moving to Beijing with her family for training.

Christy Leung now has an ISU profile as she's competing in JGP Dresden this week http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00100945.htm
(8th after the short program https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t-ZKurHLZw).

Full time training base is indeed Beijing.

She turns 14 in December (age-eligible for Jr. Worlds. Unsure what the official selection process is when you consider that Hong Kong Nationals is in the Spring after Sr. Worlds) .

 

[CdnSk8Fan]

I looked at the ladies results 'skimmed' really and completely missed Christy Leung on the list.
I didn't recognize the name of her coach so I Googled him and all I have to say how can he still be allowed to coach after what happened in the US? It seems this was commonly known as it was in many media sources in 2012-2013 period. I hope her parents don't have blinders on.

 

[Sylvia]

I looked at the ladies results 'skimmed' really and completely missed Christy Leung on the list.
I didn't recognize the name of her coach so I Googled him and all I have to say how can he still be allowed to coach after what happened in the US? It seems this was commonly known as it was in many media sources in 2012-2013 period. I hope her parents don't have blinders on.

This topic came up back in May, starting here: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/ind...ad-to-beijing-2022.97764/page-21#post-4789729

Hyang Mi RO of North Korea, age 13, debuted on the JGP today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr0PuTAfTQ8
Her ISU bio: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00101630.htm

 

[Sylvia]

The topic of whether or not Hong Kong currently has a dance team came up in the Chinese news thread and this is what I posted:

So Wing Yi Valerie / Marcus Yau are listed by the ISU as the 2015-16 ice dance champions for Hong Kong (they were the only Novice Dance team entered at HKG Nationals this past spring).

Only she's listed as having joined the "Hong Kong Ice Dance Youth National Team" in May 2016: http://www.hksu.org/contents/8_hk_team/index-e.html

Valerie So/Marcus Yau competed in Junior Dance at 2016 Minto Summer Skate (club comp. in Ottawa CAN) in August 2016 representing HKG but I have yet to see their names in international competition.

 

[CdnSk8Fan]

The topic of whether or not Hong Kong currently has a dance team came up in the Chinese news thread and this is what I posted:

So Wing Yi Valerie / Marcus Yau are listed by the ISU as the 2015-16 ice dance champions for Hong Kong (they were the only Novice Dance team entered at HKG Nationals this past spring).

Only she's listed as having joined the "Hong Kong Ice Dance Youth National Team" in May 2016: http://www.hksu.org/contents/8_hk_team/index-e.html

Valerie So/Marcus Yau competed in Junior Dance at 2016 Minto Summer Skate (club comp. in Ottawa CAN) in August 2016 representing HKG but I have yet to see their names in international competition.

They had completed at a small Skate Canada Western Ontario competition in Sept 2016 as well.

Interesting thing is they are registered (not sure how.. or if they are just doing it as "guests") for WOS sectionals.
(Most dance/pairs from COS were moved to do WOS Sectionals. -possibly due to only 1 rink for COS sectionals this past weekend)

 

[Sylvia]

2016 Philippines Nationals took place last month (November 23-24) - Yamato Rowe (who placed 12th in Junior Men at 2016 U.S. Nationals) won Junior men: https://twitter.com/youonlylutzonce/status/801670336420855809
1) Rowe 132.20 2) Jules Alpe 118.41

Michael Christian Martinez's total competition score: 182.81 (65.53 in SP)

TV news report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ref9LK8EgSs
Martinez was interviewed and his coach "Slava Zagor" (Viacheslav Zagorodniuk) spoke briefly.

Senior Ladies Final Standings 1) Alisson Perticheto 131.75 2) Samantha Cabiles 112.62

Junior Ladies FS [total scores]
Sofia Guidote 94.02
Ella Mendoza 78.21
? Coma 67.01
Bianca Vinarao 59.27

 

[Seerek]

Alisson Perticheto did not compete at all during 2015-16, so she has to get the technical minimums again to compete at Four Continents and/or Worlds (she's already competed once this season at Coupe de Nice in October).

 

[Yyzskater]

In regards to the Hong Kong ice dance team, I have seen them a couple times at local (Ontario) competitions and train at Richmond Training Centre. I have seen them practice at my rink sometimes during ticket ice. They look very young.

From what I have heard, they have only been ice dancing for a year. And Valerie was only competing Star 5 last year.

However, they have been competing Junior level ice dance at the competitions and have actually done well considering they have only skated a year.

 

[Yyzskater]

In regards to the Hong Kong ice dance team, I have seen them a couple times at local (Ontario) competitions and train at Richmond Training Centre. I have seen them practice at my rink sometimes during ticket ice. They look very young.

From what I have heard, they have only been ice dancing for a year. And Valerie was only competing Star 5 last year.

However, they have been competing Junior level ice dance at the competitions and have actually done well considering they have only skated a year.

 

[sammyf]

The topic of whether or not Hong Kong currently has a dance team came up in the Chinese news thread and this is what I posted:

So Wing Yi Valerie / Marcus Yau are listed by the ISU as the 2015-16 ice dance champions for Hong Kong (they were the only Novice Dance team entered at HKG Nationals this past spring).

Only she's listed as having joined the "Hong Kong Ice Dance Youth National Team" in May 2016: http://www.hksu.org/contents/8_hk_team/index-e.html

Valerie So/Marcus Yau competed in Junior Dance at 2016 Minto Summer Skate (club comp. in Ottawa CAN) in August 2016 representing HKG but I have yet to see their names in international competition.

They are skating at Santa Claus Cup http://www.moksz.hu/external/mukorcsolya/sc2016/ISU/CAT020EN.HTM

 

[sammyf]

Southeast Asia Trophy was held December 2-4 in Bangkok. Results http://www.fsatresults.com/2016SEA/indexSEA.html

 

[Sylvia]

This Singapore news article says Chloe Ing scored 45.73 in the SP at the FBMA Trophy in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and got the minimum score (20 TES) she needed for 4CC: http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/l...ional-skating-union-senior-championship-event

She [Ing] will join teammate Yu Shuran, who qualified earlier this season, at the competition. Singapore Ice Skating Association Sonja Chong said: "It is the first time that Singapore has had two ladies qualify for such a prestigious event. It is a great achievement for Singapore and shows the depth of skating ability we have to offer."
Singapore was last represented in the 4CC in 2012.

Ing already had the 4CC FS minimum (36):
Chloe ING SGP ISU CS Autumn Classic International 2016 30.09.2016 19.78 S ISU CS Autumn Classic International 2016 01.10.2016 43.88 S
Shuran YU SGP Asian Open FS Trophy 2016 04.08.2016 20.76 S Asian Open FS Trophy 2016 04.08.2016 39.39 S

 

[Seerek]

That does bring up the question whether or not the Singapore Junior Worlds entrant has already been decided based on Nationals (Ing's in her last year of eligibility IIRC).

 

[Sylvia]

That does bring up the question whether or not the Singapore Junior Worlds entrant has already been decided based on Nationals (Ing's in her last year of eligibility IIRC).

Hartmann finished 2nd to Ing in Senior at SGP Nationals last April (Shuran Yu WD) and is scheduled to compete at Skate Helena later this month to try and get the Junior Worlds FS minimum (35) she still needs:
Ceciliane Mei Ling HARTMANN SGP Tirnava Edea Ice Cup 2015 22.10.2015 23.66 J 5th Denkova Staviski Cup 2016 18.10.2016 33.01 J

ETA:

Here is the Singapore federation's 2016-17 international selection policy: https://www.sisa.org.sg/images/ConstitutionPolicies/InternationalSelectionPolicy.pdf

Chloe ING SGP ISU JGP Colorado Springs 2015 04.09.2015 21.73 J ISU JGP Yokohama 2016 11.09.2016 38.53 J

Shuran YU SGP ISU JGP Pokal d. Blauen Schwerter 2016 06.10.2016 24.99 J ISU JGP Pokal d. Blauen Schwerter 2016 08.10.2016 42.69 J

 

[Seerek]

I'm not sure if Yamato Rowe's scores this weekend from Reykjavik Games in Junior Men will count towards qualifying for Junior Worlds representing Philippines (only 3 competitors).

Meanwhile, Jules Alpe was in Jegvirag in a Junior Men's event with 5 competitors (2nd place).

 

[Yyzskater]

From what I understand, there needs to be a minimum of 8 competitors to have the points qualify towards jr worlds.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Sylvia]

I'm not sure if Yamato Rowe's scores this weekend from Reykjavik Games in Junior Men will count towards qualifying for Junior Worlds representing Philippines (only 3 competitors).

ETA: @Seerek, I just noticed that Yamato Rowe was DSQ from the Reykjavik (RIG) comp. after the fact.

Meanwhile, Jules Alpe was in Jegvirag in a Junior Men's event with 5 competitors (2nd place).

So this is why Alpe's scores are the only ones listed for PHI on the Technical Scores page for Junior Men:
Jules Vince ALPE PHI Jegvirag Cup 2017 10.02.2017 22.00 J Jegvirag Cup 2017 10.02.2017 39.25 J

 

[Seerek]

ETA: @Seerek, I just noticed that Yamato Rowe was DSQ from the Reykjavik (RIG) comp. after the fact.

I wonder what could be the reasons for a full on disqualification, at Junior level no less.

As it is, Jules Alpe is competing in Sofia this weekend.