US Olympic medalists Shibutani siblings hope more PH figure skaters compete internationally

US Olympic bronze medalists and siblings Alex and Maia Shibutani recently visited the Philippines and conducted a clinic to young figure skaters who aspire to compete internationally.

The siblings, also known as the 'Shib sibs,' held the clinic last Tuesday at the Mall of Asia skating rink along with fellow figure skaters such as Filipino Olympian Michael Martinez and Sparkle artist Skye Chua.

The Shibutanis bagged the bronze medal from the ice dance and team skating events of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Two-time Olympic bronze medalists Alex and Maia Shibutani of the United States conduct a skating clinic with Filipino skaters at the MOA Ice Skating Rink @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/sPb3l2GVY7

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) February 25, 2025

"We've wanted to come visit the Philippines for a long time. We've had such an amazing trip so far. And everyone's been working so hard," said Alex. "So it's just like a really great energy here and we've been enjoying it a lot."

Alex said they were impressed by the Filipino skaters' focus and level of talent and taught them techniques which could help the young skaters in the future.

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"That's our hope. We want to see more people from the Philippines competing internationally in bigger skating competitions. And so we're focusing on the connection to the ice and really making sure that we enjoy our skating," said Alex.

Martinez, meanwhile, relished the time on ice with his batchmates from the 2018 Winter Games.

"I'm very honored that I get to skate with them and learn so much from them," said Martinez who is now a figure skating coach. "I'm also very excited for my students. Hopefully, they take it all in kasi minsan lang 'to."

Chua, who also recently competed internationally in the World University Winter Games, said skating with the Shib sibs was a dream fulfilled for her.

Figure skater and Sparkle artist Skye Chua shares her experience skating with the Shib sibs and the lessons she learned from them @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/0EiqBZMkCv

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) February 25, 2025

"It's been a dream of mine to meet the Shib sibs and to be able to skate with them is like on the next level. I watched them as a kid and I'm so grateful that they came here to teach in the Philippines," said Chua, who admitted to being starstruck with the Olympic medalists.

—GMA Integrated News