Who Is Michael Christian Martinez? 5 Facts About the Figure Skating Olympian
As the Filipino figure skater prepares for his competitive comeback, get to know the athlete beyond his historic Olympic achievements.
by Andi Brigino
Published on Oct 28, 2026
Two-time Olympian Michael Christian Martinez is returning to competitive figure skating! Ahead of his 30th birthday, the Filipino figure skater announced that he will compete at the 2026 Philippine National Figure Skating Championships this November, marking his comeback after five years away from competition.
As the first Filipino figure skater to compete at the Winter Olympics, Michael helped make history for Philippine sports when he represented the country at the 2014 Sochi Games. He returned to the Olympic stage in 2018, further cementing his place in Philippine figure skating history.
Now, as he prepares for his competitive comeback, we're taking a closer look at the athlete beyond the ice. Here are five facts about Michael Christian Martinez, from his historic sporting achievements to his interests as a content creator and hobbyist.
Facts About Figure Skating Athlete Michael Christian Martinez
1. He was born with asthmatic bronchitis
Michael has been ice skating since 2005, but pursuing sports wasn't always easy for him because of his asthma. He was on maintenance medication when he began figure skating to help manage his condition and prevent asthma attacks. Fortunately, his health improved enough for him to continue pursuing the sport. He's especially grateful to his mother for supporting his dreams despite the medical challenges he faced.
2. He was the first skater from Southeast Asia to qualify for the Olympics
Michael competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, making history for Philippine figure skating. He became the first Southeast Asian figure skater to compete at the Winter Olympics and the Philippines' sole representative that year. He finished 19th overall in the men's singles event.
3. He was the first Filipino to land a triple axel in competititve skating
Michael had already made history by becoming the first Filipino figure skater to compete at the Winter Olympics, but his achievements didn't stop there. During his Olympic debut in Sochi, he successfully landed a triple Axel, one of figure skating's most challenging jumps. He became the first Filipino figure skater to perform the move in competition before the 2014 Games, adding another milestone to his groundbreaking career.
4. He mentored young skaters prior to his comeback
The COVID-19 pandemic, along with health challenges between 2018 and 2022, saw Michael compete less frequently. During this period, the Philippine Skating Union offered him an opportunity to pursue coaching, which he eventually took up in partnership with SM Supermalls. It was a full-circle moment for Michael, who spent much of his childhood skating at SM's ice rinks. His coaching career also took him to the United States, where he taught students at the Pasadena Ice Skating Center.
5. He is a big fan of Pokemon
When he isn't sharing updates on his skating progress, coaching events, and brand partnerships, Michael is going all out for Pokémon. He not only regularly posts Pokémon card pack unboxing videos on Instagram, but also participates in Pokémon events around the country. He recently attended the Pokémon Caravan at SM Mall of Asia on October 2 and the Pokémon 30th Anniversary Run on October 4, held in partnership with Uniqlo. He even has a separate Instagram account dedicated to his Pokémon collection and other collectibles.
