Pyeongchang Olympian Michael Martinez vows to use his well-deserved break from his second Winter Games stint to ponder on whether he should retire from the sport or continue representing the country especially in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Martinez was welcomed on Thursday by his benefactor SM Skating, days after competing in his second Olympics in South Korea.
The 21-year-old figure skater considered retirement after failing to secure a modest result in the Nebelhorn Trophy, which was the last qualifying tournament for the Pyeongchang Games.
A Swede withdrew his slot for Pyeongchang, thus paving the way for Martinez to qualify for the Games. But he had only two weeks to prepare.
He just finished 28th out of 30 competitors with his score of 55.56 points.
Martinez said that he will not rush things as he gives ample time to refresh himself.
“First I have to take a break because most of the athletes really need time to rest after a big tournament,” Martinez expressed. “After that, I will think about my plan for the 2019 SEA Games.”
He stressed he was not disappointed with his Pyeongchang campaign.
“Competing at that level of the Winter Olympics, in the company of world-class figure skating talents, and performing in front of the world, is already a reward. I am honored to have represented the country,” Martinez said.
Figure skating will be part of the 30th edition of the SEA Games the country is hosting next year.
Martinez clinched the silver medal in the men’s short program and free skating in last year’s SEA Games in Malaysia. Hometown bets Julian Zhi-Jie Yee bagged the gold medal while Kai Xiang Chew took the bronze.