Newcomers embrace maiden Asiad journey

Hagawi has also witnessed the trend. "When I first picked up the sport in 2017, only three or four people were curling, but now we have more than 300 players, including children," he noted.

His next goal is to swap his broom for a coaching role, helping to nurture the next generation of curlers in Saudi Arabia. "It's not a game that you retire at 40 or 50, you can continue playing until you're 75," said Hagawi.

Cambodia, another tropical nation making its debut at the Winter Asiad, sent a small, but determined, team of four athletes. Among them, 14-year-old Panhasith Pisey has already made history as the youngest snowboarder in the slopestyle event.

"I'm happy to be here and to have performed to my level," he said after finishing 11th in qualifying. Although he missed out on the finals, Pisey remained positive, adding that, with more training, he will continue to improve.

Pisey's participation has already garnered significant attention back home, inspiring many Cambodians to take an interest in winter sports. "My family and friends are proud of me. When people found out I was competing, they started paying attention to snowboarding."

His fellow Cambodian snowboarder Chantsovanratanak Doung echoed the sentiment. "This is my first time in China, and the ski resorts here are amazing. Back home, we have no snow and very few opportunities to train, so I really value this experience. Competing against top athletes helps me improve."

The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) sees this historic participation as an important step in expanding the nation's sporting horizons. "It's a proud moment for Cambodia," said NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun. "Sending a team to the Asian Winter Games aligns with the International Olympic Committee's vision of encouraging tropical nations to participate in winter sports."

Moreover, the vision has gradually become a reality in more regions in Asia. "Soon, you'll be hearing good news about Saudi athletes in other winter sports, such as speed skating and figure skating," said Hagawi.

XINHUA