MICHAEL MARTINEZ eyes a top-six finish in the Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany in September to qualify for another Winter Olympics in South Korea.
The 20-year-old Sochi Olympian hopes to earn a ticket to Pyeongchang in the qualifiers set from September 27 to 30 in Oberstdorf.
Martinez missed a Pyeongchang slot despite finishing 24th in the recent World Championships in Finland because of the demands of the Olympic qualifying rules.
Nevertheless, the first figure skating Olympian from Southeast Asia stressed he is more than ready to take another shot at Pyeongchang.
“I’m pretty sure I’m prepared for the competition. It’s for the country,” Martinez said in a recent news conference at the SM Mall of Asia rink in Pasay City.
In the 2013 edition of the Nebelhorn tilt, Martinez finished seventh and qualified for Sochi. He believes he can make another impressive performance.
“I know the athletes who will compete at Nebelhorn and I’m confident that I can finish inside the top six,” Martinez said.
The Parañaque City native worked on his upper body for more power. He also took months of therapy for his knee, ankle and back injuries. Martinez scored 196.7 points in the recent world championships, 69.32 in the short program and 127.37 in free skating.
Japanese Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu and Shoma Uno finished the 1-2 places, while China’s Jin Boyang got the bronze to complete an all Asian podium in the men’s singles.
Image credits: Roy Domingo