Shake-up in figure skating

World No. 1 men’s figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu celebrated his 21st birthday over a week ahead of schedule as he smashed the record for the highest combined points in the short program and freeskate at the NHK Trophy in Nagano last Saturday. That same weekend, Filipino Michael Martinez almost made it to the top three of the Warsaw Cup in Poland, losing to Russia’s Zhan Bush by a fraction.

Martinez, 19, was the silver medalist at the previous Warsaw Cup but fell to fourth as Russians dominated the podium this year. Alexander Samarin, 17, compiled a career-high 225.27 points to capture the gold medal while another Russian Anton Shulepov, 19, took second place with 223.52 points. Bush, 22, tallied 206.63 points and Martinez was a whisker behind at 206.3.

Both Bush and Martinez made remarkable gains in freeskate to make up for a relatively passive showing in the short program. Bush was eighth with 61.6 points in the short program while Martinez was sixth with 65.64. Bush then vaulted to third place overall with a strong freeskate and Martinez eventually finished fourth. They brought down Italy’s Matteo Rizzo from third in the short program to fifth overall, Italy’s Ivan Righini from fourth to sixth and Germany’s Fraz Streubel from fifth to seventh. Righini is ranked No. 36 in the world, Rizzo No. 43 and Streubel No. 45.

As a result, Martinez’ world rating dropped from No. 26 to No. 29. Samarin is now ranked just below Martinez at No. 30. Bush is only starting to compile International Skating Union (ISU) points and has broken into the world ladder at No. 119. Shulepov is No. 140.

Martinez’ total was a slight drop from his career-high 220.36 which he posted in placing sixth at the recent Audi Cup of China in Beijing. World No. 2 Javier Fernandez of Spain topped the event with 270.55 points. China’s Boyang Jin, 18, was second. Because Martinez couldn’t land a podium finish and was beaten by skaters who were ranked lower at the Warsaw Cup, his world standing took a dip.

Still, Martinez’ performance was impressive, considering he beat contenders from Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Switzerland, Norway, Slovakia and Poland. The only Asians in the competition were Martinez and 23-year-old Abdal Rakimgeliev who wound up No. 11. Martinez has consistently pierced the veil of European supremacy in ISU-sanctioned competitions.

Hanyu’s feat was incredible and re-established his claim as the top figure skater today. He’s the only skater ever to score at least 100 points in the short program, 200 in freeskate and 300 in the combined total. In 2014, Hanyu won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics and the World Championships.

In 2011, Hanyu had to leave his hometown in Sendai because the ice rink where he practiced was damaged by an earthquake and tsunami. A year later, he moved to Canada to pursue his figure skating career. Hanyu, a university student of Human Informatics and Cognitive Sciences, practices three to four hours a day on ice to stay on top of his game.

In Nagano, Hanyu did what was considered nearly impossible. He executed a quadruple salchow, a quadruple toe-loop and triple toe loop combination and a triple axel in the short program of 2:50 at most. Then, in freeskate, Hanyu performed three quadruple jumps, two triple axels and five triple jumps to blow the opposition away. The Japan Times described his freeskate routine as “physically demanding” and his performance as “flawless.” Hanyu enjoys virtual rock-star status in Japan.

Hanyu said he couldn’t believe his showing. “It’s unbelievable, even I’m surprised,” he said. “I gave my blood and sweat with really grueling training. To put on an even better performance, I’ll keep practicing hard.” There are no short-cuts to success and Hanyu proved it.

Hanyu’s recovery from a major accident last year has been nothing short of remarkable. He collided with Chinese skater Yan Han during practice for the Cup of China last November and had stitches on his head and chin. That wasn’t all. Hanyu underwent surgery for a stomach infection and suffered a sprained ankle a few weeks before this year’s World Championships.

In many ways, Martinez is like Hanyu. Martinez moved out of Muntinlupa to train in Anaheim, California where he shares a rented room with his mother. Hanyu left Sendai to polish his skills in Toronto where he shares an apartment with his mother. Martinez overcame a slew of injuries to start this season on a hot note, winning the Asian Trophy in Bangkok. Then, he ended up ninth at the Finlandia Trophy, sixth at the Audi Cup of China and fourth at the Warsaw Cup. Martinez has improved his finishes in the last three events.

Figure skating is no easy sport. It’s mentally and physically draining. Beyond the athleticism, a contender has to perform with grace, precision and art. Choreography is an essential element.  Hanyu’s short program music is Chopin’s “Ballade No. 1” and his freeskate is the soundtrack of the Japanese movie “Onmyogi” called “Seimei.” Martinez’ short program music is “Egmont” by Beethoven and his freeskate is Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Martinez has a long way to go to reach No. 1 but he’s making inroads with Hanyu as his model of excellence.