Peter Michael

www.facebook.com/petermichael42nz
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Reason for choosing this sport	One of the factors that persuaded him to switch to speed skating was that there was more funding available in the sport than in inline skating. He also wanted to compete at the Olympic Winter Games.
Name of coach	Shane Dobbin, NZL
When and where did you begin this sport?	He competed in inline skating before taking up speed skating in 2014 in Inzell, Germany.
Club / Team	Canterbury Alpine Ice Speed Skating Club: Christchurch, NZL

Most influential person in career	His family, and coach Shane Dobbin. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017, 26 Jan 2017)
Sporting philosophy / motto	"Never give up, keep pushing." (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017)
Milestones	He became the first speed skater representing New Zealand to win a world championship medal by claiming bronze in the 5000m at the 2017 World Single Distances Championships in Gangneung, Republic of Korea. (olympics.nbcsports.com, 09 Feb 2017; isu.org, 04 Dec 2016) He became the first speed skater from New Zealand to finish on top of the podium at a World Cup event when he triumphed in the 5000m in 2016 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. (olympics.nbcsports.com, 09 Feb 2017; isu.org, 04 Dec 2016)
Hero / Idol	US boxer Muhammad Ali. (Athlete, 26 Jan 2017)
Awards and honours	In 2014 he was named Sportsperson of the Year in Kapiti, New Zealand. (kapitiindependentnews.net.nz, 11 Nov 2014)
Hobbies	Watching television, playing video games, cycling, relaxing. (kiaspeedskatingacademy.com, 2016)
Memorable sporting achievement	Finishing fourth in both team pursuit and the 5000m at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (Athlete, 14 Nov 2019)
Other sports	He has represented New Zealand in roller speed skating, and won eight titles at the world championships between 2010 and 2016. (SportsDeskOnline, 30 Nov 2016; stuff.co.nz, 14 Sep 2016)