HARBIN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A construction worker, electrician, banker, and entrepreneur made history by securing the Philippines' first-ever gold medal in men's curling at the Asian Winter Games, marking the country's fifth appearance in this continental event.

This achievement seemed unlikely after the Philippines suffered a 6-1 defeat in their opening match against South Korea, the bronze medalists of 2017, during a time when there was no curling association in the Philippines.

Two years ago, the Philippines established its curling association, paving the way for the formation of its inaugural national team. The team's foundation is as diverse as it is unique, comprised of individuals from various professional backgrounds.

When Alan Frei, a long-time curling enthusiast, learned of the opportunity, he began forming a team to represent the Philippines on the international stage. Marc Pfister and Enrico Pfister, who had previously represented Switzerland in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic qualifiers, were the first to join the effort, later joined by Haller Christian to complete the quartet.

Besides their passion for the sport, the four share another common bond-they were all born to Filipino mothers and Swiss fathers. This multicultural blend has shaped a team that defies expectations and embodies the fusion of both their home countries' cultures.

The Philippines' curling journey took a significant step forward when they were accepted as a member of the World Curling Federation in September 2023, alongside Pakistan and Puerto Rico. This milestone opened the door for them to begin their bid to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics, a dream that now feels ever closer for Frei.

"I was over 100kg at 172cm, so I wanted to get really fit. I sold my company and started playing curling two years ago. Now, I feel like I'm one step closer to competing in the Winter Olympics," said the 43-year-old Frei with excitement.

Their first major event representing the Philippines was the Pan-Continental Curling Championship 2023, a qualifier for the World Curling Championship in Canada. Competing in the B-Division, they lost to China and remained in that division.

A year later, their hard work paid off as they won the B-Division, allowing them to advance to the A-Division, where they faced some of the world's top teams, including Canada, the United States, China, and South Korea.

Despite a frustrating debut at the Harbin 2025 Asian Winter Games, the Philippines quickly bounced back with three consecutive victories, finishing second in Group A behind South Korea.

The team continued its momentum by defeating Japan 10-4 before edging out defending champion China 7-6 to reach the final.

"There's no doubt the Chinese team is very good. They are my idols," said Frei after upsetting the host on Thursday.

The prospect of a rematch against the formidable team seemed daunting. But in a remarkable turn of events, the Philippines came from behind to secure a 5-3 victory over South Korea on the final day of Harbin 2025, creating a historic moment for Philippine winter sports.

"It's our very first medal in the Asian Winter Games, and we hope this is just the start of something bigger. We're one step closer to our crazy curling dream," Frei said, his voice full of optimism.

The Philippines' curling story is also intertwined with the nation's long and challenging relationship with winter sports. In 1972, Filipino athletes competed for the first time in the Winter Olympics. However, 50 years later, at the Beijing Winter Olympics, only one Filipino skier participated, and he did not advance to the finals.

Despite the lack of snow-capped mountains, the Philippine Curling Association has steadily grown, with members organizing training in the United States, Canada, and other countries. This growth has helped fuel the dream of competing on the world stage.

Delarmente Benjo, an alternate on the team, shared the sentiment: "We hope this inspires other tropical countries. We don't have mountains and snow, but we can still compete. Our example could help inspire more people to pursue their dreams."

As the Philippines celebrates this groundbreaking achievement, their story stands as a testament to determination, resilience, and the power of believing that anything is possible-even in the tropics. Enditem

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