Russian skater Aleksandr Korovin 'willing to start' naturalization to become Filipino

Russian figure skater Aleksandr Korovin is "willing to start" the naturalization process to becoming a Filipino citizen.

Aleksandr's skating pairs partner Isabella Gamez shared the news in Chino Trinidad's report on "24 Oras," Monday.

Isabella said they are aiming to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

"We have another three years to prepare but we're very focused, we're very determined," she said.

Isabella and Aleksandr won the Philippines's first ever international medal for skating pairs when they bagged silver in the 2nd Trophee Metropole Nice Cote D'Azur in Nice, France back in October.

The pair also performed in "Carols on Ice," the musical Christmas ice show organized by the Philippine Skating Union in December.

PhSU president Nikki Cheng hopes to more Filipino figure skaters make it to the Olympics after Michael Martinez competed in the 2014 Sochi and the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.

"I want to bring more Filipino athletes to the world level. I want to see a representation from the Philippines in every Olympic cycle," she said.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News