MANILA, Philippines — Filipino figure skater Michael Martinez is bound to his second straight Winter Olympics.
Martinez fell short in the qualifiers late last year but secured a spot after Sweden withdrew from the competition.
"I was prettty shocked," Martinez said when he learned of the development.
"I'm very, very thankful for everybody, for all the prayers." he said.
The 21-year-old Martinez made history when he competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
He became the first Filipino to represent the country in the Winter Olympics, the first skater from Southeast Asia and the first athlete from a tropical country to qualify.
He will join Filipino-American Asa Miller in the upcoming Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Miller will compete in the Alpine skiing event.