Weathering the challenge

Small, perhaps, in numbers, but huge in ambition — some emerging delegations from Asia's hottest and driest regions are raring to make their presence felt on the ice and snow of Harbin.

Like the Philippines, which just won a mixed doubles round-robin match against the Republic of Korea. Few, if any, would've picked debutants Kathleen Dubberstein and Marc Pfister over the top-ranked Korean duo of 2018 Olympic silver medalist Kim Kyung-ae and teammate Seong Ji-hoon.

Dubberstein and Pfister, however, proved even the most sophisticated pundits wrong on Tuesday, by upsetting the title favorites 12-6 on Day 1 of the Asian Winter Games' curling tournament, kicking off a three-win streak in Group B, until their first loss to host China on Wednesday.

The round-robin stages of the ice hockey and curling tournament got underway on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, days ahead of the Games' official opening on Friday, due to their lengthy competition schedules.

Representing a national program that was only established in 2023, the Filipino duo took pride in turning heads in Harbin, while mincing no words about their ambitions.

"If we can get a medal for the Philippines, that would be great," said Dubberstein, who will lead the Filipino delegation into the opening ceremony as its flagbearer, alongside short-track speed skater Peter Groseclose.

"But, we are a new team, so we will work on our team dynamics and shot-making to improve our performance."

Like many tropical nations, the Philippines is embracing ice-based sports, particularly curling, in a bid to establish itself in winter sports. Half of the country's 20 athletes in Harbin are curlers.

"We are definitely the underdog team here, but our athletes are here to compete and they are proud to represent the country," Curling Pilipinas secretary-general Jarryd Bello told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.