Michael Martinez announces return to competitive skating

MANILA — Filipino figure skater Michael Martinez is returning to competition, announcing his comeback with a birthday post on social media Monday.

The two-time Winter Olympian revealed that he plans to compete at the Philippine National Figure Skating Championships as he turns 30.

“I had many options for my 30th birthday. Somehow, I chose Philippine Nationals. 😂⛸️They say at 30 you’re supposed to start making wiser decisions. Anyway… I’m competing again. Good luck knees,” Martinez wrote.

Martinez admitted he never expected to compete again but eventually changed his mind after years of being asked when he would return to the ice.

“Honestly, I never thought I’d be making this announcement again. It’s been years since I last competed, and since then, life has changed a lot,” he said.

Martinez said he had since focused on other pursuits, including coaching and helping younger skaters navigate their own competitive journeys.

“But one thing I kept getting asked over the years was, ‘When are you competing again?’ or ‘Are you ever coming back?’ And my answer was always … probably not,” he said.

However, the repeated questions eventually made him reconsider.

“Somehow people kept asking, and I guess a part of me also started wondering … why not? So after a lot of thinking and a lot of convincing (and by a lot, I really mean A LOT 😂), I finally said yes. I’m competing again,” he added.

Martinez revealed that he will be competing at the 2026 Philippine National Figure Skating Championships scheduled next month and hoping for an international competition next year.

“I know I’m already past what most people would consider a figure skater’s prime. I’m older now, my body definitely knows I’m older (a lot back pain😖), and I’m not expecting things to be exactly how they were before. And that’s okay,” he said.

With his return, Martinez said he just wants to enjoy competing again with no big expectations and needless pressure. 

“I’m also keeping things simple. Not trying to recreate my Olympic days. Just training, skating, competing, and hopefully having fun doing it again. Of course, I still have a few personal goals I want to accomplish. 😉 But we’ll get to those eventually. For now, I’m just happy to be back. 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. See you at Nationals.,” he said.

Martinez made his Winter Olympic debut in Sochi, Russia in 2014. He also competed in 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.