In August 2025, the 1st Asian Youth Figure Skating Camp was organized by the Children of Asia International Committee (CAIC), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and the International Skating Union (ISU). The event brought together 47 young skaters and 25 coaches from 20 countries of the region in the Harbin Ice Palace.
For ten days, under the guidance of leading ISU experts, including head coach Julian Yee, choreographer Kim Haejin, and coaches Chrisha Gossard and Makoto Shiotani, the participants honed key elements of their skills: skating technique, gliding, jumps, and choreography. In addition to intensive training, the camp program included educational sessions on anti-doping, Olympic values, protection from manipulation in competitions, athletes' rights, as well as team building and cultural events.
Addressing the athletes at the closing ceremony, Vladimir Maksimov, President of the Children of Asia International Committee, noted: “Dear athletes! During this time, you have not only perfected your skills but also made new friends from all over the continent. I am confident that each of you will take away from Harbin not only new skills but also belief in yourself and your dreams. The knowledge and experience you gained here will be useful not only in the sports arena but also in life, helping you overcome any difficulties.”
South Korean figure skater Kim Yesung shared: “It was incredibly wonderful to meet people from different countries, complete tasks together, and support each other. This atmosphere of friendship and mutual motivation is exactly what athletes need.”
He was echoed by Chawawit Jiamahasup of Thailand: “The program helped me significantly improve my skills. The coaches are very kind and provide a lot of useful information. I also met new friends from other Asian countries.”
Malaysian coach Tan Allysha Ee Lynn praised the camp's organization: "Not only did we train intensively, but we also made many friends off the ice." She particularly highlighted the choreography sessions, which became one of the team's most engaging elements.
Filipino figure skater Ludwig Hans Carizo expressed his gratitude: "I just want to say a huge thanks to the Children of Asia International Committee (CAIC), Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and International Skating Union (ISU) for giving us such a wonderful opportunity. This is an amazing experience for young skaters like me. I made many new friends, and I'm sure other kids did too."
The 1st Asian Youth Camp served not only as a platform for athletic development but also as a space for strengthening international friendship and cultural exchange, laying a solid foundation for future success for the continent's young skaters.
