MARTINEZ PLACES 19TH BUT CREATES SENSATION IN SOCHI
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 15 Feb 2014
Filipino skater Michael Christian Martinez finished 19th out of 24 skaters at the men's figure skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Martinez made history as the first to compete in Olympic figure skating for the Philippines and Southeast Asia when he performed in Sochi, earning a total score of 184.25 points.
Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu won the gold medal, Canada's Patrick Chan garnered the silver, and Kazakhstan's Denis Ten got the bronze.
Martinez, skating to the tune of Malaguena, was the third skater to show his talent from among the 24 participants in the free program event, garnering a score of 119.44 points during Friday's competition. The youngest male skater at 17-years-old, he executed well with his triple axels, triple double toes, double flip, and lot more action. However, he slipped at one instant and landed with his right hand after doing a triple loop.
But for the millions of Filipino fans watching on television as well as for other foreigners, they were impressed of the young Filipino skater's act, especially coming from a tropical country who has not seen snow.
"For me, he's getting stronger and maybe running away a little bit but he's giving it everything that he's got and he's fighting right to the finish," said a female sportscaster. "A lot to be proud of, he really did the program well he had a good flow across the ice, the speed was there," said a male commentator.
Martinez concluded his ice dance with a Biellmann Spin, an unusual maneuver for male figure skaters and a "performance to be proud of," commented the TV announcers.
During the men's figure skating short program last Thursday, Martinez scored 64.81 points performing to the tune of "Romeo and Juliet," placing also 19th, which qualified him for the free program, the medal round of the men?s figure skating event.
According to the website of the XXII Winter Olympic Games, the young asthmatic was cut in the thigh by a skate blade in 2009, tore two ligaments in his ankle in 2011, tore the medial collateral ligament in his knee in 2012, and fractured his ankle last year. These injuries bothered his practices but amidst all the trials, he was there competing in Sochi.
For his efforts, Martinez will receive a bonus of $10,000 courtesy of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan through the MVP Sports Foundation, which also contributed much to his travel to the Games.
After the short program debut in the Olympics, Pangilinan expressed his appreciation for Martinez. ?What a brave kid, gave it all tonight. Thank you to him and his parents. Let?s continue supporting him,? said Pangilinan.
Martinez has set his goal of qualifying for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Chot Reyes, MVPSF Executive Director, said they will continue supporting Martinez? training.
?As he matures, he?ll mature into a full performer,? said the lady figure skating commentator.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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