Figure skater Aleksandr Korovin granted PHL citizenship

Figure skater Aleksandr Korovin is now a Filipino citizen.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. has signed Republic Act No. 12115 which granted Philippine citizenship to Korovin, according to the document published in the Official Gazette last December 21.

Last December 3, the Senate approved on third and final reading Senate Bill 2461 which pushed for the naturalization of Korovin.

The 30-year old Korovin, born in Russia, has represented the Philippines since 2021, along with figure skating partner Isabella Gamez.

Philippine Skating Union (PHSU) president Nikki Cheng previously said the approval of Korovin's naturalization will ensure the eligibility of Korovin and Gamez for the Asian Winter Games in February next year.

"We firmly believe that this talented duo has the potential to bring home the Philippines’ first-ever medal in the Asian Winter Games," she said.

Korovin and Gamez recently competed in the 2024 ISU Cup of China where they finished seventh out of eight pairs.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News