Martinez to compete in Olympic qualifier in Germany
MANILA — Figure-skater Michael Martinez remains confident he will qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics despite the confusion in the recent world championships in Finland.
It was initially reported that Martinez had punched a ticket to the Pyeongchang Games in South Korea after finishing in the top 24 of the men's singles event at the Helsinki worlds.
However, he was bumped off the final cut after several countries in the top 10 earned multiple spots to the Olympics.
"(They explained that) this was a new rule implemented end of last year," explained Martinez during a press conference at Mall of Asia Skating Rink on Thursday.
To land a slot in Pyeongchang, Martinez needs to finish in the top 6.
“That’s all I need to do. To be in (the) top 6. There’s no minimum score or whatever. I just need to be in top 6,” he said.
“I’m really confident it will be easy for me. My quad wasn’t ready (in the worlds) but I’m pretty sure it will be ready for the qualifying competitions.”
Martinez will also be competing in the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this August where he will be gunning for the gold.
He will join several competitions in the US sometime in June before heading to the SEA Games.
"The Southeast Asian Games will actually help a lot kasi it's a big competition and it's gonna boost my confidence and performance for the Nebelhorn Trophy," Martinez said.
In 2013, Martinez finished 7th in the Nebelhorn Trophy to secure a berth in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. -- With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News
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