Filipino Olympic figure skater Michael Martinez is returning to competitive skating, announcing his comeback on his 30th birthday ahead of the 2026 Philippine National Figure Skating Championships in November.

Martinez made the announcement in a social media post Monday, Oct. 19, saying he had decided to compete again after years away from competition.

“I honestly never thought I’d be making this announcement again,” Martinez said, recalling how he had shifted his focus to coaching and helping younger skaters pursue their competitive goals.

The two-time Winter Olympian said he was encouraged to reconsider his return after repeatedly being asked over the years when he would compete again.

“Somehow people kept asking, and I guess a part of me also started wondering… why not?” he said.

Martinez said he hopes to return to international competition in 2027, although he acknowledged that his physical condition has changed since his previous competitive years.

“I know I’m already past what most people would consider a figure skater’s prime,” he said, adding that he was not expecting things to be the same as before.

Rather than attempting to recreate his Olympic performances, Martinez said he wants to enjoy competing again without placing excessive pressure on himself.

“Not trying to recreate my Olympic days. Just training, skating, competing, and hopefully having fun doing it again,” he said.

Martinez also hinted at personal goals he hopes to accomplish but said he would take his comeback one competition at a time.

Martinez made history as the first figure skater from Southeast Asia and a tropical country to qualify for the Winter Olympics.

He represented the Philippines at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, where he finished 19th, and the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, where he placed 28th.

His return to the national championships will mark a new chapter in his skating career after years devoted to coaching and supporting the next generation of Filipino figure skaters.