Philippines, 3 other Southeast Asian nations chase first Winter Olympics medal

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Philippines' flag bearer Asa Miller leads the delegation as they enter the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.

Philippines’ flag bearer Asa Miller leads the delegation as they enter the stadium through the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Video games, on the Nationwide Stadium, often known as the Fowl’s Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022. (Picture by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines—Snow in Southeast Asia won’t ever be seen, however doesn’t cease athletes from the area competing in winter sports activities.

The Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Timor Leste are nicely represented within the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics with a complete of eight athletes competing within the slopes.

Asa Miller of the Philippines and Yohan Goutt Goncalves, who’s of French-East Timorese descent, are the lone representatives of their nation in China and each will compete within the males’s large slalom occasion.

Alpine skiers Jeffrey Webb and Aruwin Salehhudin will carry the colours of Malaysia whereas Zanon Nicola, Jaiman Mida Fah, Mark Chanloung, and his sister Karen Chanloung, will characterize Thailand.

East Timor's Yohan Goutt Goncalves on skies prepares for a training session at the Kolasin ski resort on December 21, 2021. - One Jamaican skier was among a dozen athletes -- including others from far-flung warmer climates like Morocco, Ghana, and East Timor -- competing in Montenegro's Kolasin this week, where skiers were hoping to rack up points in a final dash to qualify for the games in Beijing next year.

FILE–East Timor’s Yohan Goutt Goncalves on skies prepares for a coaching session on the Kolasin ski resort on December 21, 2021. (Picture by SAVO PRELEVIC / AFP)

Goncalves and Miller even made a connection throughout practices as they educated collectively forward of their occasion on February 13 at Yanqing Nationwide Alpine Snowboarding Centre.

“We educated collectively and I feel he [Miller] is an excellent skier,” mentioned Goncalves. “I consider he might be quicker than me however let’s see on the race day.”

The 27-year-old Goncalves, who competed within the slalom occasion of the 2 earlier Olympics, completed forty third in Sochi 2014 and failed to complete in 2018.

This earlier failures is what motivated him to hunt for that elusive podium end for his nation.

“We’re nonetheless very removed from a medal however what’s vital is that Timor Leste is represented right here,” mentioned Goncalves who’s very happy to point out his assist to different athletes from Southeast Asia.

“We actually assist one another, with the Malaysian skiers too. We practice, we give recommendation to one another and keep collectively.”

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