BANGKOK – Peter Groseclose proved himself a worthy competitor on ice against other entries from tropical nations, winning gold and silver medals in the short track speed skating event of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Friday at the IWIS International Ice Skating Training Center here.
The 18-year-old 2024 Gangwon, South Korea Winter Youth Olympian, making his debut in the SEA Games, first settled for a silver in the men’s 1,500-m then used it as a motivation to grab the gold in the men’s 500-m event.
“Definitely, it was a motivation although a silver medal in the 1,500m is not terrible, but I really wanted to be better in the 500m. I just wanted to persevere as well and so happy that this last race result would be a good one,” Groseclose said.
He sped off at the start, taking the lead in the 500m and holding it the rest of the way en route to a winning time of 43.257 seconds, leaving behind Singaporean Ryo Yik Ong who got the silver in 43.592 time and Indonesian Jeremia Wihardja who clocked 43.962 for the bronze in the race participated in by five entries.
Groseclose, watched by his mother, Victoria; Philippine Skating Union (PSU) president Nikki Cheng, and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, clocked 02:26.207 for the silver medal in the longer race.
Thailand’s Chonlachart Taprom won the gold medal in 02:25.800 after overtaking Groseclose in the latter part of the race. Marva Kayana Firdaus of Indonesia settled for the bronze, clocking 02:26.931 in the race participated by seven speed skaters.
“I accelerated too soon and spent too much energy too early in the 1,500m, but I am so happy to come back faster in my next event to come out with the gold,” Groseclose said. “I am really grateful to win this gold medal for Team Philippines.”
Aside from Grosclose’s gold and silver medals, the Philippines speed skaters also bagged bronze medals in the 5,000m men’s and 300m women relay events. (PR)
