Martinez overcomes injuries to win gold at Triglav Trophy

Ryan Songalia

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Michael Christian Martinez overcame lingering injuries to win the gold at the ISU-sanctioned Triglav Trophy International Figure Skating Tournament in Jesenice, Slovenia

 

STANDING TALL. Michael Martinez (center) stands atop the podium with second placed Keiji Tanaka (L) and third placed Ryuju Hino (R). Photo from Martinez's Facebook

MANILA, Philippines – The miracle on ice continues for Michael Christian Martinez.

Just weeks removed from his historic run at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Martinez rebounded with a first place finish in the senior men’s division at the Triglav Trophy International Figure Skating Tournament in Jesenice, Slovenia on Sunday, April 6.

The 17-year-old Martinez of Paranaque, Philippines led all skaters with 63.29 points in the short program before finishing the free skate with a final score of 195.13.  

Keiji Tanaka of Japan came in second with 189.83 while Ryuju Hino of Japan finished third with 183.06. 

Martinez, who is the first Southeast Asian figure skater to compete at the Winter Olympics, told Examiner.com that he hadn’t fully healed from injuries that forced him out of last month’s World Championships, which affected his performance.

“I am very happy that I won here in Slovenia. After the short program, I was not very positive in winning the gold. I am not yet 100 per cent (sic) healed from my injuries. At some point I was tentative in some of my jumps in the long program.”

Examiner also reports that Martinez is scheduled to return to the Philippines on April 20.

Martinez added on his Facebook: “I thank God for this blessing – another gold medal in senior event. 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.”

Filipina-American Samantha Cabiles finished 6th in the junior ladies division with a score of 100.04. Elizabet Tursynbayeva of Kazakhstan finished first with a score of 150.68. – Rappler.com

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