Figure skater Martinez shines

Filipino standout Michael Christian Martinez made a good account of himself in the men’s figure skating event of the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games at Innsbruck, Austria, last month.

The 15-year-old Martinez, the lone Filipino entry in the prestigious event, emerged third in the short program, before ending up seventh in the free skate in the Jan. 16 to 22 event.

Martinez, a former Asian novice champion, bucked sub-zero conditions, finishing ahead of skaters from Germany, France, Japan and Korea in the short program ruled by Yan Chan of China.

Efremenko Feodosi of Russia actually edged Martinez for second spot by just .35 points.

Martinez tallied 97.25 points in the free skate event also won convincingly by Chan, who posted 132.8 points. Uno Shoma of Japan settled for the silver with 115.63 points.

In preparation for the Winter Olympics, Martinez, whose skills were developed when he enrolled at SM Ice Skating, worked with Ilia Kulik, a Russion ice skating figure skating champion, and noted choreographer Alex Chang.