In the demanding sport of figure skating, the partnership between Isabella Gamez and Alexander Korovin stands as a testament to resilience, dedication, and a shared dream to elevate the Philippines in the international arena. Isabella, captivated by the allure of ice, found her calling in figure skating at the tender age of six. Inspired by skating legends like Michelle Kwan, Yuna Kim, Mao Asada, as well as pairs Maxim Trankov and Tatiana Volosozhar, her skating journey began under the guidance of her first coach, Inna Koroleva.

“At the time, I was 7 years old. All I wanted to do was just skate. I loved what I did. I could jump and spin all day until my parents had to drag me off the ice. I was always eager to take on a new adventure/challenge. I just purely loved to skate. It was a true passion,” she recalls.

Isabella's solo skating prowess spanned nine years before she ventured into pairs. Her earlier partnerships with Ton Consul and David Paradis honed her skills, teaching her the nuances of chemistry on ice, patience, and the essence of trust in a team. “I always knew that I wanted to skate for my home country of the Philippines, and it was just about finding the right partner to be able to do so,” she notes.

Enter Alexander Korovin, a Russian skater molded by Ludmila Svirepa and Petr Kiprushev in the Ural Mountains. From the age of five, Alexander's commitment to figure skating evolved into a rigorous routine: three hours on ice, three hours off ice, six days a week. A transition to pairs skating with Alexandra Minina and Alisa Efimova brought him to the pinnacle of professionalism, under the tutelage of iconic coaches like Tamara Moskvina, Oleg Vasiliev, Natalia Pavlova, and Aleksandr Zaitcev.

“Alexander is results driven, he’s always wanting to see improvement in overall skating,” Isabella says of her figure skating partner. “That always motivates me to strive for greatness for not just us as a team but for the Philippines. He has taught me difficult elements over the past couple of years.”

Alexander, on the other hand, appreciates Isabella’s passion for the sport. “Isabella loves skating, and she is very happy when she skates. With my experience, I try to show her how to improve in skating, and explain to her how technical elements work. She shows me how to love to skate, enjoy skating and find passion in what I have been doing my whole life. She loves these moments when she is on the ice!” he exclaims.

United by Olympic Pairs Champion Maxim Trankov and guided by world-renowned Coach Marina Zoueva, Isabella and Alexander embarked on a journey to redefine Philippine figure skating. Marina's influence fostered synchronization and commitment, pushing Isabella and Alexander to seamlessly blend big elements with nuanced performances. 

The two teamed up in January 2021, trained assiduously for their technical skills and artistic executions, before competing internationally for the first time for the 2022-2023 season. Their diligence and commitment paid off when the duo qualified for the 2023 World Figure Skating Championships—the first Southeast Asian pairs team to do so in the history of the competition. Isabella was the inaugural Southeast Asian and Philippine pair skater to participate in any International Skating Union competition starting in 2019, marking a groundbreaking moment for figure skating in Southeast Asia.

Furthermore, Isabella and Alexander have secured the title of Philippine National Champions for Senior Pairs twice, successfully increasing visibility and promoting awareness of the winter sport and pairs discipline in the tropical country.  “We are striving for big goals, and we have a lot to show,” remarks Isabella. Their goal is the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. If successful, Isabella Gamez would be the first ever Filipina in any sport to represent the Philippines at a Winter Olympics. 

Transitioning to their current coaching team, comprising of Olympics and World Championship coach Dmitry Savin, and Winter Olympics Pairs silver medalist, Fedor Klimov, they are strengthening their technical prowess and individual growth. Their choreography and skating skills are further honed from work with former ice dancers, choreographers Sofia Evdokimova, Marina Zoueva, Ilya Tkachenko, Pasquale Camerlengo and Galit Chait. 

Isabella's belief in the bright future of figure skating in the Philippines resonates with the duo's commitment to train and share their skills with the next generation. However, the path is not without hurdles. Limited ice time and the need for consistent training in the Philippines have become the toughest hurdles in their relentless pursuit of excellence. The Philippines government, through the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Skating Union, and SM Skating, provides essential backing for their competitions and training abroad. 

For Isabella, preparation for competitions demands consistency—a consistent routine, schedule, sleep, nutrition, and, most crucially, a consistent support system. In a sport dominated by athletes from cold climates, Alexander finds honor and joy in representing the Philippines. Korovin shares that they remain driven by the Filipino people's support, the pride they feel in breaking new ground, and the dream to qualify for the Winter Olympics.