Filipino figure skating pioneer Michael Christian Martinez is returning to competition after nearly five years away, announcing a comeback as he approaches his 30th birthday in November.
The two-time Winter Olympian announced on Oct. 19 that he will compete at the 2026 Philippine National Figure Skating Championships this November, hoping to return internationally in 2027.
“I had many options for my 30th birthday. Somehow, I chose Philippine Nationals,” Martinez wrote.
Since retiring in 2021, Martinez has coached younger skaters at SM Skating in MEGAMALL and Mall of Asia. He admitted repeatedly dismissing questions about competing again until supporters’ encouragement made him reconsider.
“Honestly, I never thought I’d be making this announcement again,” he admitted.
Martinez acknowledged back pain and the physical demands of competing at 30, explaining that he no longer intends to recreate his Olympic performances.
“This time, I really just want to enjoy competing again. No big expectations, no unnecessary pressure,” he said.
His breakthrough came in 2012 when he became the first Filipino to land a triple Axel in competition at the Junior Grand Prix in Lake Placid, New York.
The difficult jump requires three-and-a-half rotations in midair, launching from the blade’s forward outside edge without toe-pick assistance. It demands exceptional power, height, rotational speed and precise landing control.
That same year, Martinez competed at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.
At 17, he became Southeast Asia’s first Olympic figure skater at Sochi 2014 in Russia, finishing 19th. He later won the 2017 Philippine national championship before placing 28th at PyeongChang 2018 in South Korea.
Martinez has undisclosed personal goals but remains uncertain how far his comeback will take him.
“I honestly don’t know how far this comeback will go, and maybe that’s what makes it exciting. One competition at a time. Let’s just see what happens,” he said.
His November appearance marks another chapter for a Filipino sporting pioneer, with a potential international return in 2027.
