Injuries force Michael Martinez to withdraw from Skating Championships in Bulgaria

Michael Christian Martinez AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — With various injuries taking their toll, Sochi Olympian Michael Christian Martinez is pulling out of the World Junior Figure Skating Championships as per his doctor and coach’s advise to recuperate.

“Michael is withdrawing from the Bulgaria competition. It’s the doctor’s and coach’s decision,” his mother Maria Teresa Martinez said in a statement posted on SM Investments Corporation’s Facebook page Saturday.

“Michael’s doctor has recommended that he withdraw from the World Junior since his knee injury has not completely healed yet, and his falls during the current practices are adding to the injuries,” the statement read.

Martinez, who made his presence felt in the world figure skating scene after being the first ever Southeast Asian skater to compete in the Winter Olympics last February, placed fifth in the 2013 Junior Championships held in Milan, Italy.

This year’s World Championships is set on March 10-16 in Sofia, Bulgaria where Martinez would’ve been one of the competitors expected to make noise after his inspired stint in Sochi.