Michael Christian Martinez qualifies for finals in Sochi Olympics
Friday, February 14, 2014
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
The Philippines’ sole bet in the 2014 Winter Olympics put the country on the figure skating map after making it to the medal round of the men’s figure skating event late Thursday.
Michael Christian Martinez, 17, made the most of the unique opportunity as he scored 64.81 in the qualifying round, which is enough for a ticket to the round of 24.
Competing in the men short program, Martinez at 12 midnight (Philippine time) placed third with a score of 64.81, then placed fourth after USA’s Jeremy Abbott bagged a score of 72.58. Two hours later, he ranked ninth while Abbott landed down to number five. Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu scored 101.45 at No. 1. Although more figure skaters like him were still waiting to do their numbers at that point and the score ranking still changing, Martinez was already in and would be among the 24 skaters competing for the finals.
He scored a 33.31 in technical and a 31.5 in the component for a 64.81 score. It was his best score of the skating season.
Martinez was assured of entry into the free program on Friday after Russian legend Evgeni Plushenko withdrew from the contest, while Viktor Romanekov of Estonia and Brendan Kerry of Great Britain failed to beat the Filipino’s score.
His qualifying number was performed to a cut from the 1968 film soundtrack of Romeo and Juliet, including the song “What is a Youth”.
Martinez, a 17-year-old from Paranaque City, caught the eye of international news agencies when he became the first representative of Southeast Asia to compete in the Winter Olympics. The feat was all the more remarkable because he comes from a tropical nation.
Last September, Martinez enchanted the judges and audience when he performed to Lucia Micarelli’s Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody at the 45th Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany. His performance was good enough to qualify, him for the Winter Olympics.
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