Nunavut curler represents Philippines at world championship

Arianna Mae Atienza is no stranger to curling under pressure. But this week, she has slid rocks on the biggest stage of her young career: the World Junior Mixed Doubles World Championship in Edmonton.

A Grade 12 student at Inuksuk High School, Atienza is officially representing the Philippines, where her parents were born, but unofficially representing Nunavut.

“It feels great, there’s a very tight-knit Filipino community up there, a very strong sense of community in general in Nunavut,” she said in an interview Thursday. “I’m here as well, representing the poise of Nunavut and what it’s like to be a Nunavummiut athlete.”

She has represented the territory twice at the Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships and three times as the skip at the Arctic Winter Games. Her interest in the sport was piqued at the age of 10, when her sister Abigail pursued it. Atienza joined Iqaluit Curling Club’s Little Rocks program and has been an avid competitor since.

At the tournament, which began Tuesday and runs until Sunday, Atienza is paired with Winnipeg’s Elijah Mojado. They kicked off the tournament with a 11-9 victory over the team from France.

Gayle Salter-Kennedy has coached Atienza at both national U-18 events and is leading Team Philippines in Edmonton.

“It has been a pleasure to coach Ariana. And Elijah, her partner, has also been great,” Salter-Kennedy said in an interview. “The one win was nice for them; we’re here for the experience and to learn.”

Playing in Group C with powerhouses Austria, Korea and China, Atienza and Mojado are in tough competition. They put in valiant efforts but haven’t come away with a second win. They close out their tournament with matches against Australia and Scotland on Friday.

“Scotland is basically like the motherland of curling,” Atienza said. “So, I’m just going to go out there and have fun. I’m going to showcase my best curling. That’s what I’m going to focus on and not so much the scores.”

The Philippines is at the opposite end of the spectrum. The nation of tropical islands has, according to Atienza’s father, Ariel, no curling rinks. That fact makes Atienza and Mojado’s participation in the tournament extra special.

“I am so happy and proud to see my daughter play and represent two places that are dear to her heart in a sport she truly loves,” Ariel wrote in an email. “Being her 18th birthday, this is the best gift for her.”