Sochi Olympics 2014 Michael Christian Martinez

 

SOCHI WINTER OLYMPICS

   

Sochi Olympic Park

__________________________________________________

MICHAEL CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ:  FIRST FILIPINO OLYMPIAN FIGURE SKATER.  The 16-year old was born and raised in Muntinlupa, Philippines.  Martinez began figure skating in 2005 after he saw the sport in a shopping mall ice rink.  He first joined a skating competition in 2008 and was the first Filipino skater to execute a triple Axel in a competition.  His role model is Canadian Patrick Chan, the 2011 World Champion.  He trains with Ilia Kulik, who won in the 1998 Olympics for Russia.  

Martinez placed 7th place in the Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany last September, having positioned himself to qualify for the figure skating competition for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia.  The last Filipino athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics was skier Michael Teruel who joined the 1992 games in France.  

____________________________________________

FEBRUARY 7, 2014  SOCHI WINTER OLYMPICS XXII  BEGIN   This is the most impressive of the opening ever and self has seen some.  It's like watching a beautiful art in living color.  How fascinating - the theme song A Stranger in Paradise, the Olympic cast of thousands and Russia's national dance ballet dancing to Swan Lake.  Glued the whole night!     

One ring-a-ding-ding

Putin's Pride and Joy

Medieval to Modern Russia

Just to be at Sochi makes Filipino figure skater a true Olympian 

______________________________________________________

I'M EXPECTING TO SEE MICHAEL PERFORM HIS OLYMPIC BEST ON YOUTUBE.  For sure, I'll miss his skating on American TV as performances by American & Canadian figure skaters will be shown and devoted to them only, of course.   Hoy, Pinoy audience at Sochi take a video of Michael on Thursday, February 13.

[Blog Update 2/13/14] 

Martinez placed 19th in the Friday night, February 14, competition among the world's best.  Not bad an accomplishment for someone who trained in a shopping mall skating rink.  His other big reward -- $10,000 gift  from Filipino businessman Manuel Pangilinan.

________________________________________________________

Alternative games

Published 11/27/05  ALT MSN Group

Web Page: Olympics