Michael Martinez to rest but 2019 SEA Games already ‘in my mind’

Filipino figure skater Michael Martinez on Tuesday said that the 2019 Southeast Asian Games is already in mind after competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Martinez finished 28th out of 30 in the men's single skating short program in Pyeongchang, South Korea despite only having two weeks of preparation. He only got the call on January 23; the games began February 9.

While he failed to make it to the top 24, Martinez said there's not giving up the skates, rest is on his agenda.

"The best top 28 in the world is not bad after all. I will rest a little bit, I am not really sure on what I will do in the future. The sea games yes that is something in my mind, just give me time," Martinez said on ANC.

Martinez said they have been inviting foreign coaches to help them train and have a better competitive edge when they enter international competitions.

"We are already inviting a lot of foreign coaches and officials to teach us and educate us on what they know. If we get more information and knowledge about it be will be able to compete aboard. I feel that that will help the athletes to compete more," he said.

Michael believes that his purpose in life is to become an inspiration to many people with his passion and dedication for his sport.

"I am really proud that the sport is growing and really happy to see that," he said.

"I would say that I am an inspiration to a lot of people. I am really happy to see that I got to inspire a lot of people; I feel that that is my purpose in life to encourage them to do what they want in life go for it. I hear stories now that they were able to make it because they was inspired by me and it just make me yeah," he continued.

Martinez performed and glided on the Olympic ice rink to "Emerald Tiger" which was also his short program at the Southeast Asian Games in 2017 where he bagged a silver medal behind Malaysia's Julian Yee.

He was only called to join the Olympics on January 23, when Swedish skater Alexander Mojorov's national committee returned his spot. — LA, GMA News