Champion figure skater urges clinic participants to just chase their dreams

Michael Christian Martinez performs a spread eagle during a short program in his three-day clinic at the SM Seaside Cebu Ice Skating Rink.
(CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)

BEFORE he leaves the country for a month-long training abroad, Olympic figure skater Michael Martinez made sure he would leave lasting lessons to young skating enthusiasts who look up to him as their idol and inspiration.

Today, Martinez, the first Olympic figure skater from a tropical country, ends his three-day clinic at the SM Seaside skating rink in the South Road Properties.

The 19-year-old phenom has taken under his wings 24 enthusiasts whom he taught the basics in skating.

“If this is what they really want, I want to show them they (can) really improve a lot,” the multi-titled skater told Cebu Daily News during a lull in his clinic.

Yesterday, Martinez again took his students and mall goers to a different world of athleticism and grace in another world class routine. This time, it was a four-minute performance that regaled the crowd. And Martinez once again shared another food for thought for aspiring figure skaters.

“Don’t be afraid to take the first step even with the daunting challenges that you are facing with,” said Martinez. He will be leaving for Los Angeles where he will train for the Asian Trophy Cup in August. It’s also part of his preparations for the Winter Olympics next year in Finland. Martinez was a finalist in the Men’s figure skating of the 2014 Sochi Olympics in Russia.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old skating enthusiast Anniza Marilao, a BA Communication student, was star struck when she grabbed the once in a lifetime chance of being trained under Martinez.

“It’s very overwhelming. It was an honor, because he went through all this training, and I was able to receive all those lessons from him. He is not hesitant to teach you everything he knew,” said Marilao who has been practicing at the local rink since December 2015.

Although Marilao admitted it was too late for her to be an Olympic aspirant, she said she’s willing to pursue other dreams like performing in skating shows like Disney on Ice.