FIS Roller Ski Asian Championships Celebrate Sporting Excellence and Growing Cooperation Across Asia

The FIS Roller Ski Asian Championships concluded successfully at the Kaeng Krachan Circuit in Phetchaburi, Thailand, bringing together athletes from 14 Asian nations for a highly competitive event that celebrated sporting excellence, international cooperation and the growing potential of skiing across the continent.

Organised by the Ski and Snowboard Association of Thailand, the championships welcomed delegations from P.R. China, Chinese Taipei, DPRK, Hong Kong, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Uzbekistan. DPRK made its first FIS starts since the Olympic Winter Games in 2018, while the event also provided an important international platform for emerging roller ski nations.

Intense racing and historic achievements

The competition delivered exciting racing, with China and Kazakhstan emerging as the main contenders for gold medals throughout the championships.

Chinese athlete Chunxue Chi was one of the standout performers, claiming three of the four available gold medals. Kazakhstan's Anna Melnik, Nail Bashmakov and Ratmir Yugay, alongside China's Entemake Maowulietibieke, also made their mark as Asian champions.

Iran celebrated a historic milestone as Alireza Nazarizadeh secured the country's first-ever sprint medal at the championships. The Republic of Korea also reached the podium, taking third place in the mixed team sprint.

Dmitriy Kolomeyets, FIS Roller Ski Asian Region Coordinator, highlighted the growing competitiveness of the sport and the significance of the championships for the athletes.

"On the sports side, we continue to see tremendous growth in Asian roller skiing," Kolomeyets said.

The results highlighted the growing depth of roller skiing across the continent, with athletes from an increasing number of nations gaining valuable international experience.

Building connections beyond the racecourse

The championships were also an opportunity to strengthen relationships between participating nations. The organisers received praise for their hospitality and event organisation, with a programme designed to bring delegations together both on and off the course.

On the rest day, teams took part in a cultural programme featuring river rafting and visits to a local historic palace and museum, offering participants the opportunity to discover the host region.

The Asian Nations Friendship Evening provided another highlight, creating a welcoming setting for cultural exchange. Delegations presented traditional regional gastronomy and exchanged commemorative national memorabilia, strengthening friendships and international sporting ties.

The combination of high-level competition and opportunities for cultural exchange helped create an atmosphere of friendship and collaboration, reinforcing the role of sport in bringing nations together.

Supporting the development of roller skiing

A key element of the championships was Thailand's commitment to supporting emerging skiing nations. Ahead of the competition, the Ski and Snowboard Association of Thailand provided roller skis and complete equipment sets for delegations from DPRK, Hong Kong and Nepal, enabling athletes to take part in a one-week training camp and prepare for the races.

The initiative made a practical contribution to the development of the sport in the region, with each delegation benefiting in different ways.

For DPRK, the equipment provided by the host nation allowed athletes to prepare for training and competition with the necessary gear. For Hong Kong, the championships marked the first time athletes represented the Hong Kong Ski Association in roller skiing. The association plans to expand its involvement in the discipline and aims to enter Cross-Country skiing competitions in the future.

Nepal, meanwhile, was represented by alpine skiers experiencing roller skiing for the first time. The delegation used the opportunity to learn roller ski techniques and gain insight into event organisation, with the aim of developing the sport further in Nepal.

The initiative also reflected Thailand's own development journey in Cross-Country skiing. Having previously benefited from support from FIS and more established skiing nations, Thailand is now sharing its experience and resources with other emerging countries.

Taratip Chantawat, Deputy Secretary General of the Ski and Snowboard Association of Thailand, emphasised the significance of hosting an international skiing event in a tropical country.

"We wanted every visiting team to feel welcome and connected to the broader Asian ski community, and I truly hope everyone felt that hospitality. Ultimately, this event showed that our region has immense potential."

Thailand's support for other delegations demonstrated how cooperation and shared resources can help create opportunities for athletes and federations at different stages of development.

A platform for the future of skiing in Asia

Alongside the sporting programme, representatives from Asian nations met to discuss future cooperation and development opportunities. The discussions included plans for joint training seminars for coaches, officials and athletes, as well as proposals to strengthen the structure of cross-country skiing competitions in the region.

There was strong support for renaming the winter Cross-Country continental cup as the Asian Cup, following the model already established in roller skiing. The possibility of establishing a dedicated Asian Cross-Country Skiing Championship was also discussed.

Both proposals remain under active discussion among Asian ski associations, with consultations and surveys taking place across the region. Formal decisions are planned for the FIS Spring Meetings in 2027.

These discussions reflect a shared ambition to create stronger development pathways, increase competitive opportunities and build closer cooperation among Asian skiing nations throughout the year.

Asian Cup champions crowned

The championships also marked the final stage of the FIS Roller Ski Asian Cup, with the overall season winners confirmed. The Asian Cup have been included in two other places before that, Pyeongchang, KOR, and Aktobe, KAZ.

Anna Melnik (KAZ) and Geonyong Lee (KOR) claimed the overall titles, while Anna Melnik (KAZ) and Svyatoslav Matassov (KAZ) topped the Sprint standings.

Across the season, athletes from 12 nations earned Asian Cup points, with a total of 166 athletes contributing to a successful campaign and demonstrating the breadth of participation in the series.

With exciting racing, historic achievements and meaningful progress in international cooperation, the FIS Roller Ski Asian Championships provided a strong foundation for the continued growth of roller skiing and cross-country skiing across Asia. The event showcased not only the region's sporting talent but also the shared commitment to making skiing more accessible and strengthening connections between nations.