Injured Michael Martinez pulls out of South Korea skating tilt

MANILA, Philippines—Figure skater Michael Christian Martinez has withdrawn from the Four Continent Figure Skating Championships (4CC) in South Korea due to injuries.

Martinez, the Philippines’ first Winter Olympian in more than two decades, announced in a Facebook post that he has pulled out of the 4CC because of injuries to his hip and ankle.

“Dear friends- thanks for all your well-wishes but I withdrew in 4CC, I injured my hip & ankle during training,” said the 18-year-old Martinez.

The 4CC is an annual figure skating competition participated by skaters from Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania scheduled this year from February 9 to 15 in Seoul.

Since finishing 19th in men’s skating in the Sochi Games, Martinez has fought through a slew of injuries.

He finished 10th in his Grand Prix of Figure Skating debut in October 2014 then took home silver in the Warsaw Cup in November.

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