HARBIN, China — The Philippines curling team has achieved a significant milestone by winning the country’s first-ever medal at the Asian Winter Games. They secured this historic accomplishment on Friday by triumphing over South Korea in the men’s final, finishing with a score of 5-3 at the Harbin Pingfang Curling Arena.

The victorious team, comprising Marc Pfister, Alan Frei, Christian Haller, Enrico Pfister, and alternate Benjo Delarmente, has made headlines with this noteworthy achievement. The Philippine Olympic Committee celebrated this momentous occasion on social media, proclaiming the gold medal as not only the first for the country at the Asian Winter Games but also the highest honor attained by a Southeast Asian athlete in the history of the event. “This is an incredible accomplishment!” the post expressed, emphasizing the pride this win has brought to the entire nation.

Curling, a sport that garners attention every four years during the Winter Olympics, showcases players as they skillfully sweep stones across an ice rink, captivating audiences worldwide. The Philippines has recently become a member association of the World Curling Federation as of September 2023, joining other nations like Pakistan and Puerto Rico in the curling arena. Following this membership, they launched a campaign to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The men’s team is predominantly based in Switzerland, with Marc Pfister serving as the skip. Pfister previously represented Switzerland at three world championships before switching allegiance. Alongside him is his brother, Enrico Pfister, along with several other curlers who were born in Switzerland but qualify to represent the Philippines through their Filipino mothers.

The Harbin Games featured participation from 34 countries, ranging from Saudi Arabia in the west to Singapore and the Philippines in the southeast, competing across 10 different sports over 11 days, culminating on Friday.