Guidote, Mendoza bag skate medals

MANILA, Philippines - Sofia Guidote and Elia Mendoza turned in superb performances against a crack international field to clinch silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the International Skating Union (ISU) World Development Trophy at SM Skating Rink of the newly opened Mega Fashion Hall at SM Megamall recently.

Guidote, 12, put up an impressive routine in the Basic Novice A girls category ruled by Korean Hyang Mi Ro, beating South Africa’s Jaydean Brits for runner-up honors.

The 14-year-old Mendoza, on the other hand, finished third in the Basic Novice B girls division won by Un Hyang Kim, also of Korea, with South African Courtney Kuhn taking the silver medal.

In other results, Singaporean Luc Ong topped the Novice A boys’ class while North Korean Yong Myong Ro dominated the Basic Novice B.

Chloe Ing of Singapore pooled 119.49 points to cop the gold in junior ladies while Julian Zhi Jie Yee topped the junior men with 150.54 points.

The event, which drew 56 young skaters from Argentina, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Korea DPR, Singapore, South Africa, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and the Philippines, served as the last ISU World Development Trophy to be held in the country after the Philippines, through the Philippine Skating Union (PhSU), produced an Olympian in Michael Christian Martinez.

Martinez also graced the closing rites of the ISU Development Trophy, dazzling the crowd with a world-class performance during the finale.

The PhSU is the governing body in the country for figure skating and speed skating. With the sustained support and confidence of the ISU, the PhSU is geared towards hosting future international events such as the Asian Short Track Speed Skating Development Trophy, the first ISU Asian Figure Skating Championship, the ISU World Juniors and the ISU Four Continents Championships. The PhSU works persistently towards the promotion of the sport in the Philippines and throughout the world.