Fil-Am athlete lands 5th place at Winter Youth Olympics
Still from from Philippine Skating Union – PHSU’s video/Facebook
From academics and beauty pageants to the realms of sports, Filipino achievers have shown how unwavering determination is key to success. Filipino American teen Peter Groseclose’s odyssey at the Winter Youth Olympics didn’t end in vain.
On Monday, the Gangneung Ice Arena witnessed the Fil-Am athlete’s mettle as he glided for the 500m short track speed skating category. Although his journey from a hopeful medal ended with a near-miss, he still finished 5th place.
Groseclose made a triumphant comeback from his 5-year hiatus. In November 2023, he secured the fourth spot at ISU Junior World Cup Speed Skating 1 — a kickstart for the grand stage of the Winter Youth Olympics.
With his eyes set on the Philippines’ first medal, Groseclose, 16, navigated the icy curves onto the 500m final. However, in a fleeting moment of his skating prowess, he collided with China’s Zhang Bohao who finished fourth.
“I got tripped,” recalled Groseclose. This unexpected incident left him with a wounded foot caused by his skate’s blade. “I think it was my blade that cut the right side of my foot, but I’m okay,” shared Groseclose who earlier finished 1,000m and 1,500m.
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Despite the fall, he remained unbroken, given the support of the Philippine Olympic Committee. “It’s still fifth overall—or five out of 36 entries,” declared Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, the Philippine Olympic Committee President, echoing the country’s pride in Peter’s achievement.
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Sean Boxiong Shuai from the US won gold clocking in at 41.498 seconds, China’s Zhang Xinzhe followed suit at 41.755 then Dominik Gergely Major from Hungary at 41.969.
Meanwhile, freestyle skier and the country’s flag bearer Laetaz Amman Rabe started her ascent in the women’s slopestyle and big air events training at the Welli Hilli Park in Hoengseong.
In addition to this winter sports narrative, Avery Balbanida, one of the three Filipino Olympians set for the Winter Youth Olympics will fly to Pyeongchang on Jan. 25 for the cross-country skiing events.
Groseclose’s skates may have slipped but he’s undeterred and will continue to pursue bigger dreams in the future.
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