Copy of Sochi Winter Olympic 2014 Figure skating Michael Christian Martinez (Philippines)

about Michael Christian Martinez Public Figure Michael Christian Martinez (born November 4, 1996) is a Filipino figure skater. He was fifth at the 2013 World Junior Championships and has won two senior international medals. Career[edit] Martinez began skating in 2005 at SM Southmall ice rink. He trains mainly in Manila and also spends several months a year in California with coach John Nicks, and formerly, Ilia Kulik and Peter Kongkasem. Martinez debuted on the Junior Grand Prix series in the 2010--2011 season. In April 2012, Martinez tore ligaments in his knee. He landed his first triple Axel in competition at a 2012--2013 Junior Grand Prix event in Lake Placid, New York. He placed 6th in his JGP event in Croatia. At the 2012 Crystal Skate of Romania, Martinez won his first senior international title, also a first for the Philippines. Martinez finished 5th in his second appearance at the 2013 World Junior Championships and set a new personal best overall score of 191.64 points. In 2013--14, Martinez started his season at the 2013 JGP Latvia where he finished 4th. He then competed on the senior level at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy, the last qualifying event for the 2014 Winter Olympics. He finished 7th and earned a spot for the Philippines in men's singles -- a first for his country. He then competed at the 2013 JGP Estonia and won his first JGP medal, a bronze. He withdrew from the 2014 Four Continents Championships but competed at 2014 Skate Helena and won the gold medal. Michael Christian Martinez is the first skater from southeast Asia to qualify for the Olympics and the only athlete representing the Philippines at the 2014 Winter Olympics and was his country's flag bearer at the opening ceremony. Viktor Kudriavtsev coached him for one month up to the Olympics.