Michael Christian Martinez Sochi Figure Skater Withdrew From World Junior Championships Due To Injuries; ‘It’s The Doctor’s And Coach’s Decision’

Michael Christian Martinez Sochi Performance in Figure Skating Event, who's the only representative for the said competition for the entire South East Asia, just made him a hero in his country.

The 17-year old figure skater was welcomed as a hero by his countrymen as soon as he arrived in Manila two weeks ago.

He was taken by a motorcade to the SM Mall of Asia for a ceremony to honor him. The young athlete thanked his family, coaches and supporters for helping him achieve the "best day of his life."

In his speech, Martinez did not forget to ask support for the other Filipino athletes, saying, "I am extremely happy with this hero's welcome but let us not forget our other athlete heroes."

"I share this honor with all Filipino athletes. Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino," Martinez said.

He may not earn a medal from his performance, which landed him in the 19th place out of the top 24 contestants of the men's figure skating competition, but he most certainly earned the support and love of not only his countrymen but the entire world.

Unfortunately though, the young Filipino figure skating hero had to withdraw from the World Junior Championships in Bulgaria this month.

Michael Christian Martinez sustained injuries from his performance and practices on Sochi Winter Olympics.

"Michael is withdrawing from the Bulgaria competition. It's the doctor's and coach's decision. Michael's doctor has recommended that he withdraw from the World Junior since his knee injury has not completely healed yet, and his falls during his current practices are adding to the injuries," mother Maria Teresa Martinez said on a statement released through SM Investments Corporation Facebook page on March 8.

During last year's Junior World Championships, the 17-year-old finished in 5th place out of the 24 who advanced to the free skate. He had a score of 191.64.

Watch Michael Christian Martinez Sochi Performance Here:

He garnered a score of 64.81 in the short skate where he performed to the tune of "Romeo and Juliet," then wowed in the free skate routine over the beat of "Malagueña" to earn 119.44 for the total of 184.25.

Yuzuru Hanyu, the 19-year old Japanese handed its first-ever gold medal for Japan, while Canadian Patrick Chan bagged the silver medal and Kazakhstan's Denis Ten received the bronze medal.

Martinez is the first Filipino skater to compete in the Olympics, hailing from a country that doesn't even have snow.

Although he did not earn any medal from his Sochi Winter Olympics performance, he did receive a bonus from a Filipino business tycoon, who clearly recognizes his efforts.

Michael Christian Martinez will receive a hefty sum of money amounting to $10,000 from the MVP Sports Foundation, funded by Manuel V. Pangilinan, according to national team head coach Chot Reyes via Twitter.

 "What a brave kid, gave it all tonight. Thank you to him and his parents. Let's continue supporting him," Pangilinan said to the local Filipino channel, ABS-CBN.

MVP also said on Twitter that he is very proud of Martinez and that he's happy that the 17 year old represented the country during the Winter Olympics.

The 17-year-old Filipino figure skater clearly has high hopes for the future in Olympics.

 "I feel very happy and proud that I made it here in the final round of the Winter Olympic Games," Martinez gladly told The Associated Press.

"I feel very happy because I landed my triple axel during the halfway program, so that's an improvement and I got the chance to land on some of my jumps. My next plan is to qualify for the next Olympic Games and try to get a medal," the youngest competitor for Sochi Winter Olympics Figure Skating event added.

Martinez almost never made it to the Olympics, and even to the world of Ice Skating because of his asthmatic bronchitis.

The Filipino born figure skated recalled how he managed to surpass his health issues in order to pursue his dreams.

"I couldn't take up any sport. I tried outdoor sports when I was younger, but I easily got asthma attacks so I stopped," he stated in his Sochi Olympic athletes profile.

"I had asthma maintenance medicine when I started skating, since the cold in the rink makes me sick too. But year after year, my health keeps improving, so my mother fully supported me to continue skating. She said it's better to spend the money on skating than in the hospital."

Michael Christian Martinez Sochi Performance Martinez Sochi Performance had an impressive finish, qualifying for the free skate and finishing in 19th place.

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Sochi Winter Olympics
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2014 Sochi Winter Olympics
2014 Winter Olympics
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