Martinez competes at world figure skating championships
FILIPINO world- class figure skater Michael Martinez is currently in Finland competing at the 2017 World Figure Skating Championships.
Happening until April 2 in Helsinki, 20-year-old Martinez is using his participation in the International Skating Unionsanctioned world championships not only to get a shot at the title but also to secure a spot in the Winter Olympics next year in South Korea.
Prior to flying to Finland to compete, Mr. Martinez has been building his alreadyimpressive figure skating resume.
He recently finished in the Top 10 of the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan, while also becoming the highestranking Southeast Asian contender in the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships held in South Korea in February.
In the 2017 World Championships, Mr. Martinez is shooting for a return trip to the Winter Games, after making his mark in the previous edition of the quadrennial sporting event in Sochi, Russia, where he became known as the first Filipino figure skater to compete at the Olympic Winter Games.
“[ The Worlds] is very important to me since it’s the qualifying event for the next Olympics. This is where they choose the top 24 to compete in the next Winter Olympics. I’m a little bit nervous to be honest, but I’m really excited because I feel ready. Especially since I had a clean short program in two competitions,” Mr. Martinez said prior to his departure for the world championships.
After the world championships, the Filipino figure skater, who is being supported by the SM Group, said he is looking forward to competing as well in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur and Asian Open Trophy. Both events happen in August.
The ongoing 2017 World Figure Skating Championships is taking place at the Hartwall Arena and feature competitions in men’s singles, ladies’ singles, pairs and ice dancing pitting top athletes from different parts of the world. —