Michael Christian Martinez used his experience from the recent Sochi Olympics in Russia to emerge champion in the Triglav Trophy International Figure Skating Competition in Jesenice, Slovenia.

The 18-year old Martinez finished the free skate finals in the senior men’s category with a score of 195.13 points to beat competitors from ice skating nations Japan, United Kingdom, Korea, Austria and Norway.

The Triglav Trophy is a sanctioned figure skating event of the International Skating Union, the sport’s world governing body.

“I thank God for this blessing, another gold medal in the senior event. I’m very happy I made it this time, winning first place,” Martinez said on his Facebook page.

With the Triglav Trophy, Martinez now has three gold medals in the senior level which includes the recent Skate Helena in Serbia and the Crystal Skate in 2012 in Romania.

Filipino American Samantha Cabiles finished 6th in the Junior Ladies’ category out of 21 skaters with a score of 100.04 points.

Both Martinez and Cabiles are members of the Philippine Skating Union (PhSU), which is being supported by SM.

SM has been the primary supporter of the PhSU since the latter was established in 2005. SM also provides a venue for the events of PhSU for the promotion of ice skating in the Philippines. PhSU received accreditation from the ISU in 2006.