Varna International Ballet Competition
Martínez studied dance with Pilar Molina in Cartagena, followed by the École supérieure de danse de Cannes Rosella Hightower. In 1987 he won a scholarship of Prix de Lausanne and entered the Paris Opera Ballet School, joining the Paris Opera Ballet in 1988, where he was named Danseur Étoile in 1997. In 1992, he was awarded the Gold medal of the Varna International Ballet Competition and in 1999, the Premio Nacional de Danza.