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Martinez set to compete in Juniors World Championships in Bulgaria
Michael Martinez speaks at his press conference after arriving back from the Sochi Winter Olympics. Danny Pata
(Updated Feb. 25, 2014 1:30 a.m.) Filipino figure skating Olympian Michael Martinez said he will soon resume training as he is set to compete in the next World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Bulgaria in March.
Martinez will first go back to the United States on February 27 and then proceed to Bulgaria for the World Juniors, which will be held on March 10 to 16.
The sole representative of the country in the recently-concluded Sochi Winter Olympics has automatically qualified for the next Winter Games, which South Korea will host four years from now.
"Handa ako. Sigurado ako...alam ko ang kailangan kong gawin at ma-improve," Martinez said before hundreds who welcomed him in Pasay City.
"Handa ako. Sigurado ako...alam ko ang kailangan kong gawin at ma-improve," Martinez said before hundreds who welcomed him in Pasay City.
Olympian figure skater Michael Martinez said he is working on his skills so he can execute quadruple jumps in international competitions. Edmir Capuno
Coming home from his historic Olympic debut in Sochi, Russia, Martinez returned Sunday to one of the ice rinks where he first honed his skills and fell deeper in love with figure skating.
Crowds welcomed him at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and along the motorcade route to the SM Mall of Asia. "Puwede ako magturo sa inyo," Martinez said to a young figure skater at the press conference.
Martinez ranked 19th in the finals of the Men's Figure Skating event at Sochi. Just before the Sochi Games began, the International Skating Union ranked him as 30th best in the world. He maintained his ranking in the world standings as updated on February 15.
"We have been quietly supporting him and took care of some of the expenses. SM is fully prepared to support them," said Hans Sy, who is chairman of the Philippine Skating Union and president of SM Prime Holdings.
Top officials of the Philippine Skating Union, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, and SM Prime Holdings welcome Olympian Michael Martinez beside one of the ice skating rinks where he first honed his figure skating skills. Edmir Capuno
"We have been quietly supporting him and took care of some of the expenses. SM is fully prepared to support them," said Hans Sy, who is chairman of the Philippine Skating Union and president of SM Prime Holdings.
"Little did we know that through this (skating rink) we'd also be able to hone the first ever Southeast Asian Olympian [at the Winter Games]," said Ed Tejerero, president of SM Lifestyle Entertainment, operator of the rink.
Martinez may not be the only figure skater in the next Winter Games, according to Manuel Veguillas III, president of the Philippine Skating Union.
Interviewed by GMA News Online, Veguillas said the next crop of world class figure skaters of the Philippines may come from the national championships next April.
In the presscon, Veguillas disclosed that Filipino figure skaters able to hurdle the Olympics qualifying competitions will be sent to the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
Martinez said he and his coach are already working on how he can execute quadruple jumps so that he can be at par with the best of the best in the world. — JDS/ELR, GMA News
Martinez said he and his coach are already working on how he can execute quadruple jumps so that he can be at par with the best of the best in the world. — JDS/ELR, GMA News
