Strong showing for figure skater Michael Martinez in Korea event

FILIPINO figure skater Michael Martinez underscored his standing as the best in what he does in Southeast Asia after emerging 14th in the men’s singles category of the recent ISU Four Continents Championships held in Gangneung, South Korea.

Mr. Martinez compiled a total score 214.5 points with individual scores of 72.47 in the short program and 141.68 in free skating — thrusting him to finish number 14 out of 26 international figure skaters in the event that represented Asia, USA, Oceana, and Africa, and served as a figure skating test event for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

The 20-year-old Martinez, currently ranked 60th in the world, was the best among three Southeast Asian skaters that participated in the men’s singles category of the competition, which took place from Feb. 14 to 19.

He finished ahead of Malaysians Julian Zhi Jie Yee (202.67) and Kai Xiang Chew (138.46), who finished 15th and 23rd, respectively.

Topping the competition was American and world number 2 Nathan Chen with 307.46 points, followed by Japanese and world number 1 Yuzuru Hanyu (303.71) and world number 3 Shoma Uno (288.05)

The strong ISU Four Continents Championships showing was a continuation of Mr. Martinez’s ascent in the sport, which he first took up in 2005, and he punctuated with by becoming the first skater from Southeast Asia to qualify for the Winter Olympics — 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Since then he has been doing well in different competitions all over the world.

During breaks in competition and training, Mr. Martinez is also active in promoting the sport in the country with help from the SM Group by holding various camps.

“It has always been my hope to begin a formal program in the Philippines in which I could help raise more Filipino figure skaters ready for the international arena,” said Muntinlupa City’s Martinez in a previous interview with BusinessWorld.

The Filipino figure skater said he is looking forward to competing as well in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur in August and at the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland, from March 29 to April 2. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo