Mervin Tran mulls turning Japanese - 花式滑冰 Figure Skating

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/sport/11653332/skater-mervin-tran-mulls-turning-
japanese/

SAPPORO, Japan (AFP) - Canadian Mervin Tran is considering becoming the next
figure skater to change nationality for the Olympics after bagging a medal
for Japan in the pairs at the Grand Prix NHK Trophy.

Tran, the son of refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia, and Japanese Narumi
Takahashi finished runners-up for their third senior Grand Prix medal.

Home fans showered them with bouquets at the Sapporo Ice Arena on Saturday
after their free skate to "Concerto de Quebec" by Andre Mathieu.

On a podium dominated by couples representing adopted countries --
Japanese-born Yuko Kavaguti was half of the pairing that won gold for Russia
and Ukraine-born Aliona Savchenko took bronze for Germany -- Tran said
skating resembled a sport without borders.

"For everyone, their nationality is important as it is. But, in the end, it's
what can we do to achieve our goals," the 21-year-old from Saskatchewan told
AFP.

Tran, a hockey player as a boy, teamed up with Takahashi through Canadian
coach Richard Gauthier in mid-2007 to win Japan's junior national
championship later that year.

They have since won the senior national title for three straight seasons and
triumphed at the junior Grand Prix final last year, representing a country
known for its great singles figure skaters but sorely lacking in the pairs.

Tran said the acrobatic nature of pairs skating made it difficult to find the
right partners at home.

"The girls have to be small but strong at the same time," Tran said, adding
that a height difference is also required for the sport. He stands 29
centimetres (11 inches) taller than Takahashi at 175 centimetres.

Skaters may register to compete for countries other than their own at world
championships and other international events, but can only represent their
country of nationality at the Olympics, the biggest stage of all.

In the most celebrated case of nationality-swapping, Canadian-born Tanith
Belbin obtained dual US citizenship in late 2005 -- with the help of
last-minute petitions from her fans -- to compete with her longtime partner
and American Benjamin Agosto in Turin. They won the silver.

"I'm seriously considering (seeking Japanese nationality) for this season to
see how it goes," Tran said.

However, he said, he had some reservations about becoming Japanese because
Japan's immigration law rules out dual nationality, meaning he would have to
give up his Canadian citizenship.

"Of course, the Olympics is great and as everyone I'm dreaming of doing it
but there is also life after skating," he said. "I need to know exactly what
happens and what are the consequences before I switch."

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大意

高橋成美的搭檔Tran有入籍日本的打算，原本身為越南和柬埔寨難民的他,目前擁有
加拿大籍，但是若入籍日本，必須放棄加國籍。

中間還提了很多轉換國籍的滑冰運動員　....

Tran豆知識: 原來他以前是玩冰球的 XD
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