Cover Isabella Gamez and Alexander Korovin at the Finlandia Trophy 2022 (Photo: Philippine Skating Union)
Isabella Gamez and Alexander Korovin at the Finlandia Trophy 2022 (Photo: Philippine Skating Union)
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Meet the dynamic skating duo Isabella Gamez and Alexander Korovin
The harmonious two-man team awed the world with their fanciful choreography and graceful movement on ice, winning the first-ever medal for the Philippines in pairs skating at the Trophée Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur in Nice, France. But all this greatness was not achieved overnight. It took an extensive training routine, a strong bond with each other and tedious preparation.
Born in Cape Coral, Florida, Isabella Gamez has always been into skating. A bit unusual for someone living in a tropical state with no snow. At age six, her cousin (also a figure skater) introduced her to ice skating. She knew she had found what she loved doing when she stepped onto the rink. She’d spend every day begging her mother to take her back to the rink so she could skate because she loved the wind on her face. Little did she know that would start her figure skating career.
On the other hand, Alexander Korovin’s story started in the small town of Pervouralsk, Russia, a place perfect for ice sports. At the age of five, his mother introduced him to ice skating. Initially, he wasn’t sure if he liked it, but he wanted to learn everything quickly. From higher jumps to faster speeds and spins, his passion only grew the more he got challenged.
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Above (Photo: Philippine Skating Union)
(Photo: Philippine Skating Union)
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Gamez and Korovin previously represented different countries: the United States for the former and Spain and Russia for the latter. Gamez started representing the Philippines in 2019, and in August 2021, Korovinjoined her. “I wanted to represent the Philippines because I wanted to inspire the next generation of skaters in the Philippines. I want them to know that anything can happen, and I’m grateful that Alexander is my partner and that he decided to not just skate with me but also represent the Philippines,” Gamez says. “Filipinos are good at giving support. It doesn’t matter what place we get. We feel supported and can concentrate on our work to show what we can do. It gives us the confidence to keep going,” Korovin shares.
Their coaches, Marina Zoueva and Maxim Trankov brought them together in early 2021. At the time, Gamez and Korovin were strangers to each other, but their coaches believed in their potential. The result was a powerful dynamic that earned them first place at the Philippine Figure Skating Championships and a positive outlook for the future leading to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
Above (Photo: Esquire Studios Miami)
(Photo: Esquire Studios Miami)
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When asked about their relationship, personality-wise, Gamez likens herself to a golden retriever while Korovin to a black cat. One is full of joy, happiness, wonder and friendly to everyone; the other is more serious, reserved, and focused on the goal. “I think we have a good respect for each other. He seems very serious, but he’s super funny and supportive. I hope I could be the same for him,” Gamez says.
Skating-wise, strength and fortitude are what build the relationship. “He’s super strong, and I’m super small, so of course, with him being super strong, I also have to be super strong to hold myself and all of the big lifts. He does the big throws, so I have to be strong enough to land them,” explains Gamez.
When they’re not training for a big competition or during their downtime, Gamez and Korovin love to spend time with each other. “We’re certified scuba divers and buddies; We got our scuba diving license together. We both like to teach kids learning to skate and hope to inspire the next generation of skaters. We also play Mortal Kombat; that game lets me get my anger out. I really like Kitana and Skarlet... He’s good at UFC, too,” adds Gamez.
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Above (Photo: kenta Harada/J Sports)
(Photo: kenta Harada/J Sports)
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Currently, Gamez and Korovin are actively training and have qualified for next year’s International Skating Union World Championships, bringing them one step closer to reaching their ultimate goal, the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
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A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
