Michael Martinez embraces new version of himself in figure skating return

MANILA — Michael Martinez is not looking to recreate the younger figure skater he once was in his return to the sport.   

The two-time Winter Olympian is instead embracing a different approach to his comeback, focusing on what he can achieve and showcase at this stage of his career. 

“I think the biggest difference between now is my mindset. Again, it’s just me being able to appreciate the little things, the little achievements day by day, what I can do,” Martinez told ABS-CBN News on Saturday at SM Skating Mall of Asia. 

“And I think the main goal, or basically, I think I’m not coming back to recreate what I was when I was 17. I’m coming back so that I’m able to do what I’m capable of doing today,” he added.  

After stepping away from the sport following the 2018 Winter Olympics, Martinez said he tried to return several times in the past but was unable to do so due to various circumstances. 

Martinez believes now is the best time to return to competitive figure skating, a comeback that’s been well-received by his peers, the fans and the public. 

 Filipino figure skate Michael Martinez at the Mall of Asia skating rink, October 24, 2026. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News“I mean, little by little, I’m starting to realize that I don’t want to look back and then ask myself, dapat ginawa mo yun eh. So I don’t want to look back [with regret],” he said. 

“Kasi 30 na ako, so I don’t want to go past that and then look back and regret. I think the biggest failure for me is regretting that you didn’t do it,” Martinez pointed out. 

Martinez is looking at his return as a way to reintroduce himself and express his artistry, instead of being too focused on technicalities and expectations. While he acknowledges the challenges of returning to the sport, he remains determined to enjoy the journey and make the most of his abilities. 

“I feel like before, because when I was younger, I was so focused on the results. the expectations, the next big thing. But now I’m actually genuinely able to say I’m actually enjoying coming back, enjoying what I want to do,” Martinez said. 

“Recently with the students, I was able to be there to do the critique. I get to perform and I was actually genuinely excited because I get to try out the stuff that I wanted to do before because I’m actually. Very excited and very happy. I’m actually enjoying and hopefully, yeah, get to inspire more kids to feel the same way,” he shared. 

When Martinez is not training for his comeback, he spends his time helping develop the next generation of figure skaters as a coach. 

He admitted he could have pursued coaching in the United States where it is more lucrative, but he finds more fulfillment in helping the growth of Philippine figure skating. 

“When you’re skating by yourself as an athlete, it’s so easy… It’s easy because you get to just focus on yourself, nothing more, just yourself. And then you have your coach, you have a lot of support that you just have to get to focus for yourself,” Martinez explained. 

“But when you’re a coach, that’s a lot. You have to like really, sometimes I bring it at home, you know, like bakit ba hindi niya makuha? I have to figure that out. I have to figure out every single detail so that it works for the student. And it’s a lot of responsibilities,” he said. 

Martinez will mark his official competitive return at the Philippine National Figure Skating Championships 2026 next month — a decision that allows him to continue coaching even as he sees action on the ice. 

“This is my home, and I have my coaches helping me out throughout the way while I’m coaching on the side at the same time,” he pointed out. 

“So, yeah. I think it’s just be able to pull it off, pull it through, just to be able to perform and do a couple of triples that I’ve been practicing and basically to be able to compete internationally for the next season,” Martinez said. 

Even if he has not yet stepped on the ice to compete again, Martinez already feels accomplished knowing his return has already sparked buzz for figure skating. 

“I’m seeing a lot of very talented and hardworking skaters and hopefully yeah we got more. I want to enjoy the process as much as the journey, as much as the destination,” he said. 

“I think having this already is a win. And being able to inspire the next generation, because that’s really the main goal. That’s already a big win,” Martinez shared.