Michael Martinez bags gold in Triglav Trophy

Michael Martinez. RODELROTONI

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino skater Michael Martinez bagged the gold medal in the senior’s division of the Triglav Trophy international figure skating competition Sunday (Monday in Manila) in Jesenice, Slovenia.

The 17-year-old Martinez beat out six other participants in the final round – posting 195.13 points and finishing first in both the short program and the free skate.

“I Thank God for this blessing- another gold medal in senior event,” Martinez posted on his Facebook account.

“It was actually difficult for all of us because the 30 minutes practice sessions were scheduled a day before, and no more practices during the competition days. I’m very happy [I] made it to first place.”

Filipino-American Samantha Cabiles, on the other hand, wounded up in sixth place with 100.04 points in the junior ladies division, which was ruled by Kazakhstan’s Elizabet Tursynbayeva.

Japan’s Keiji Tanaka and Ryuju Hino finished in second and third place, respectively with189.83 and 183.06 points.

Great Britain’s Philip Harris came in fourth with 174.32 points while Korea’s June Hyoung Lee rounded out the top five with 173.16 points.

Austria’s Mario-Rafael Ionian came in sixth with 158.94 points followed by Norway’s Sondre Oddvoll Boe, who tallied 146.27 points.

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