TWENTY NINE Filipino athletes will take part in the 8th edition of the Asian Winter Games, which will be held in Sapporo and Obihiro, Japan.
The Philippines will take part in ice hockey, figure skating, short track speed skating and snow boarding.
Chef de mission Tom Carrasco said the teams involved are expected to leave early for the Games, which is set Feb. 19 to 26.
There are 31 countries joining, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan and Vietnam which are joining for the first time.
It was last held in Astana, Kazakhstan in 2011 with the host country leading the medal race with 32 golds, 21 silvers and 17 bronzes.
Michael Christian Martinez, who was at the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships and finished 19th out of 30 competitors, leads four-member national figure skating squad.
He will be with Jules Alpe in the men’s division, while Samantha Cabiles and Shayanne Casapao are in the women’s side.
The Philippines has entered an ice hockey team for the first time, and its roster is still being finalized.
The team will play in division two of the competition and will be made up of 23 athletes.
Kathryn Victory Magno, a speed skater from San Jose, California in the United States, will represent the country in the short-track speed skating meet.
Another Fil-American Ryan Magno, takes part in snowboarding.