Skater Mervin Tran mulls turning Japanese

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."