MANILA, Philippines — The naturalization of Russian figure skater Aleksandr Korovin gives the Philippines a shot in the arm for its campaign at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China in February next year.
Korovin, 30, officially became a Filipino after President Bongbong Marcos signed the Republic Act No. 12115 on December 20.
A Philippine passport is a requirement for Korovin to represent the Philippines in the Asian Winter Games and the Winter Olympics should he qualify.
With his Filipino partner Isabella Gamez, Korovin has been representing the Philippines in international competitions since 2021.
The duo gave the Philippines its first-ever pairs medal after claiming a silver at an International Skating Union competition — a silver in France in 2022.
On top of that, Korovin and Gamez became the first Southeast Asian pair to qualify and compete at the prestigious World Figure Skating Championships in 2023 and 2024.
Korovin and Gamez also became the first Southeast Asian pair to clinch a spot at the 2024 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating.
The Philippines has yet to win a medal at the Asian Winter Games which is held every four years.
