Fil-Am teenage skater is now in South Korea for the Winter Youth Olympics

Fil-Am Peter Groseclose has landed in South Korea for the Winter Youth Olympics

From swimmer Kayla Sanchez to martial artist Jayzelle Policarpio, there’s a long list of names that have been making us proud in the realm of sports. It looks like nothing can put out the fire of Filipino athletes anytime soon—especially with young bloods who are set to take over their respective battle arenas.

One of them is Peter Groseclose, a teenage speed skater. The Filipino-American prodigy is one of the Philippines’ reps to the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, which will run from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1. The global event aims to “let the youth celebrate peaceful coexistence and unity through sport to create a better future together,” according to its official site.

On Jan. 14, the Philippine Skating Union announced that the 16-year-old dreamer has officially arrived in South Korea ahead of the much-awaited games.

“Touch down in Seoul! Peter Groseclose and his incredible support team, Tim & Victoria Groseclose, have landed ahead of the Philippine delegation,” they wrote. “The countdown to the Winter Youth Olympics begin! 5 days to go!”

Groseclose is set to compete in the short track speed skating. Previously, he battled it out at the ISU Junior World Cup Speed Skating 1’s 500-meter and 1000-meter events, where he bagged the sixth and fourth spots, respectively. 

In August 2023, the PSU reported that the young Olympian broke the country’s national record in short track speed skating, with a new best of 1:26.19 minutes (1000-meter). 

He was also seen visiting the Philippine Sports Commission in June.

Aside from Groseclose, the two other Gen Zs who are taking over the Winter Youth Olympics’ competitive games are 14-year-old Filipino Laetaz Amman Rabe (slopestyle and big air skiing) and 14-year-old Filipino-Canadian Avery Uriel Balbanida (cross-country skiing). 

Their delegation also marks tropical Philippines’ first back-to-back participation at the Winter Youth Olympics, which was previously held in 2020. Alpine skier Anna Noelle Wahleithner and speed skater Julian Macaraeg raised our flag in the said edition, while figure skater Michael Martinez and alpine skier Abel Tesfamariam represented the country in its first run in 2012.