Multi-titled skater vies in Youth Olympics

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Skating Union didn’t have a hard time figuring out whom to tap to represent the country in the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Austria next year.

With 187 medals won in various international tournaments, including 145 golds, Michael Martinez was a hands down choice for the coveted berth.

“We’re blessed to have someone as talented as Michael to represent the country in the Winter Olympics,” said Manuel Veguillas during Wednesday’s press conference, naming Martinez as the country’s representative to the inaugural tournament slated Jan. 13-22 in Innsbruck, Austria.

The talented 14-year-old skater was just as thrilled and excited over his forthcoming stint in the 10-day event that will be participated in by over a thousand athletes spread from 60 countries, saying it’s a dream come true.

“It’s my dream to compete in the Olympics and maybe win a medal there,” said Martinez right after a demo performance at the SM Ice Skating Rink of the SM Mall of Asia.

A former karatedo chief, Veguillas is now involved in developing ice skating in a tropical country like the Philippines through the help of SM chain of malls, headed by SM Ice Skating Rink chief Raymund Retumban.

Veguillas and Retumban said Martinez will compete in the figure skating category after the latter emerged as the best in a series of events conducted by the Philippine Skating Union.

Martinez took up the sport at age eight and developed and honed his talent and skills by joining local and international training groups. He started winning tournaments here and abroad and went on to pile up victories in Australia, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, China and some countries in Europe.

Dubbed as the country’s Prince of the Rink and Lord of the Rink, Martinez has been featured in the Asia’s Wonder Kid 2009 at Singapore’s Channel News Asia.