Mervin Tran

Mervin Tran (born September 22, 1990) is a Canadian pair skater who competes for the United States with Olivia Serafini.

Mervin Tran
Tran at the 2012 World Championships
Personal information
Country representedUnited States
Former country(ies) representedCanada
Japan
Born (1990-09-22) September 22, 1990
Regina, Saskatchewan
ResidenceMontreal, Quebec
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
PartnerOlivia Serafini
Former partnerMarissa Castelli, Natasha Purich, Narumi Takahashi
CoachBruno Marcotte, Richard Gauthier, Sylvie Fullum, Bobby Martin
ChoreographerJulie Marcotte
Skating clubCAP St. Leonard
Former skating clubSt-Leonard FSC, Montreal
Training locationsSt. Leonard, Quebec
Boston
Began skating1994
Season's bests6 (2011–2012)[1]
14 (2010–2011)[2]
19 (2009–2010)[3]
32 (2008–2009)[4]
ISU personal best scores
Combined total177.15
2017 Internationaux de France
Short program67.50
2016 CS Autumn Classic
Free skate118.16
2017 Internationaux de France
Medal record
Representing  Japan
Figure skating: Pairs
World Championships
2012 NicePairs
World Junior Championships
2010 The HaguePairs
2011 GangneungPairs
Junior Grand Prix Final
2010–2011 BeijingPairs
2009-2010 TokyoPairs

Competing for Japan with former partner Narumi Takahashi, he is the 2012 World bronze medalist, the 2010 World Junior silver medalist, the 2010 JGP Final champion, and 2008–10 Japanese national champion. They were the first pair to win a World medal for Japan. After their partnership ended, Tran competed one season with Natasha Purich for Canada. Competing for the United States with Marissa Castelli, he is the 2017 U.S. national silver medalist.

Personal life

Tran was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. He moved to Montreal, Quebec in 2007 to train with Richard Gauthier. His parents were refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia.[5] He competed at the provincial track and field championships in the high jump and the 100-meter hurdles, finishing fifth in the hurdles.[5]

Early career

Mervin Tran began skating at age four after his parents enrolled him in a hockey camp but then moved into figure skating after he took CanSkate.[5] He was originally a single skater and placed 9th on the novice level at the 2007 Canadian Championships.[5]

Partnership with Takahashi
Takahashi/Tran in 2011

In 2007, Richard Gauthier was searching for a pair skating partner for Japanese skater Narumi Takahashi. Bruno Marcotte recommended Mervin Tran, who agreed to come to Montreal, Quebec for a tryout.[6] Takahashi/Tran began training together in July 2007.[5][7] During their career together, they trained in St. Leonard[8] and received funding from the Japanese skating association.[6]

2007–2008 season

Takahashi/Tran made their international debut on the 2007–08 ISU Junior Grand Prix series, placing 12th and 6th at their events. They won the Japan Junior Championships and earned a trip to 2008 Junior Worlds, where they placed 15th.

2008–2009 season

Takahashi/Tran placed 4th at their first Junior Grand Prix event. They won the bronze medal at their second event, qualifying them for the 2008-2009 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, where they placed 7th. They won the senior title at the 2008–09 Japanese Championships. At the 2009 Junior Worlds, they placed 7th.

2009–2010 season

Takahashi/Tran began their season on the Junior Grand Prix circuit. They won the bronze medal at their first event and gold at their second event, which qualified them for the 2009–10 JGP Final. They also debuted on the senior Grand Prix series with an 8th-place finish at NHK Trophy. They won silver at the JGP Final and at the Junior World Championships. They became the second pair representing Japan to medal at an ISU Championships (Yuko Kavaguti / Alexander Markuntsov were the first pair when they won silver in 2001).[9]

2010–2011 season

During the 2010–11 season, Takahashi/Tran won silver medals at their JGP events and qualified for the JGP Final. They won gold at the event, becoming the first pair representing Japan to win the title. They also won their first medals on the senior Grand Prix series, a bronze at 2010 NHK Trophy, and then silver at 2010 Cup of Russia. As a result, they were first alternates for the senior Grand Prix Final. They won the bronze medal at the 2011 Junior Worlds. They also made their senior World Championships debut, finishing 9th.

2011–2012 season

During the 2011–2012 season, Takahashi/Tran placed fourth at their first Grand Prix assignment, the 2011 Skate Canada International, and then won the silver medal at their second event, 2011 NHK Trophy. In November 2011, Tran said he was considering pursuing Japanese citizenship in order to allow the couple to compete at the Olympics but said it was a difficult decision because it would mean giving up his Canadian citizenship.[10] They became the first Japanese pair to qualify for the senior Grand Prix Final.

At the 2012 World Championships, Takahashi/Tran placed third in both programs and won the bronze medal.[11][12] They became the first pair to medal for Japan at a senior World Championships.[12] They placed third at the 2012 World Team Trophy. In April 2012, Tran said he would continue to consider an application for Japanese citizenship and the president of the Japanese Olympic Committee said he was "willing to make a special request (on behalf of Tran) to the government if necessary."[13][14] In May 2012, a government official said it would be difficult to naturalize Tran because he had never resided in Japan.[15]

2012–2013 season

In April 2012, Takahashi dislocated her left shoulder while practicing a lift.[16] After five or six recurrences, she decided to undergo surgery on October 30.[17] As a result, the pair withdrew from their Grand Prix events, the 2012 Cup of China and 2012 NHK Trophy.[16] They said they would miss about four to six months.[17] On December 18, 2012, the Japanese Skating Federation announced that the pair had ended their partnership.[18][19]

Partnership with Purich

On March 12, 2013, Tran announced he had teamed up with Natasha Purich to compete for Canada.[20] They debuted at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy and placed sixth. The pair finished fourth at the 2014 Canadian Championships.

Partnership with Castelli

On June 10, 2014, it was announced that Tran and the United States' Marissa Castelli had formed a partnership which would train mainly in Montreal under Bruno Marcotte and to a lesser extent at the Skating Club of Boston under Bobby Martin.[21][22] It was also announced that he was awaiting release from Skate Canada, indicating that they might compete for the United States.[21]

2016–2017 season

Tran sustained a concussion in August 2016.[23] After winning bronze at the 2016 CS Autumn Classic International, the pair appeared at two Grand Prix events, placing 7th at the 2016 Skate America and 5th at the 2016 Trophée de France. Castelli accidentally struck Tran with her elbow during training in late December.[23]

2017–2018 season

Tran and Castelli placed sixth at the 2018 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. They ended their partnership soon after and Tran went to California to try out with other partners.[24]

Partnership with Serafini

2018–2019 season

Tran formed a partnership with Olivia Serafini in 2018.[24] Debuting at the 2019 U.S. Championships, they placed thirteenth.

2019–2020 season

Serafini/Tran made their international debut at the 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy, where they placed fifth. Competing a second Challenger event, they were seventh at the 2019 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb, and finished the season with a seventh-place finish at the 2020 U.S. Championships.

Programs

With Serafini
Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2019–2020
[25]
2018–2019
[26]

With Castelli
Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2017–2018
[27][28]
2016–2017
[29]
  • Fallin'
    by Alicia Keys
    choreo. by Julie Marcotte
Journey medley:
2015–2016
[30][31]		 Journey medley:
  • Don't Stop Believin'
  • Open Arms
  • Any Way You Want It
    choreo. by Julie Marcotte
2014–2015
[22][32]

With Purich
Season Short program Free skating
2013–2014
[33]

With Takahashi
Takahashi/Tran won their first senior Grand Prix medal at 2010 NHK Trophy
Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2012–2013
[34]
  • Gigi
    • Main Title
    • You Never Told Me
    • Gigi's Big Moment
    • Gaston's Decision
2011–2012
[35]
2010–2011
[36]
2009–2010
[37]
  • Farrucas
    by Pepe Romero
  • Chano Lobato
  • Maria Madgalena
  • Paco Romero (Flamenco)
2008–2009
[38]
2007–2008
[39]
  • Samurai
    (from Le Rêve)
  • Banquine
    (from Journey of Man)
    by Benoît Jutras

Competitive highlights

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

With Serafini for United States
International[40]
Event 18–19 19–20
CS Finlandia Trophy5th
CS Golden Spin7th
National
U.S. Championships13th7th

With Castelli for United States
International[41]
Event 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18
Four Continents6th
GP France6th5th6th
GP Rostelecom Cup7th
GP Skate America7th
GP Skate Canada4th
CS Autumn Classic3rd4th
CS Golden Spin5th
CS U.S. Classic2nd
Autumn Classic2nd
National[32]
U.S. Championships6th3rd2nd6th
TBD: Assigned

With Purich for Canada
Purich/Tran at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy
International[42]
Event 2013–14
Four Continents Championships5th
GP Trophée Éric Bompard6th
Nebelhorn Trophy6th
National[42]
Canadian Championships4th

With Takahashi for Japan
Takahashi/Tran with their fellow medalists at the 2012 World Championships
International[43]
Event 07–08 08–09 09–10 10–11 11–12 12–13
Worlds9th3rd
Four Continents5th7th5th
Grand Prix Final6th
GP Cup of ChinaWD
GP NHK Trophy8th3rd2ndWD
GP Rostel. Cup2nd
GP Skate Canada4th
International: Junior[43]
Junior Worlds15th7th2nd3rd
JGP Final7th2nd1st
JGP Estonia12th
JGP Germany6th2nd
JGP Mexico4th
JGP Poland1st
JGP U.K.3rd2nd
JGP USA3rd
National[43]
Japan Champ.1st1st1st1st
Japan Junior1st
Team events
World Team
Trophy		1st T
(3rd P)
WD: Withdrew
T = Team result; P = Personal result; Medals awarded for team result only.
gollark: Well, if you offered a CB gold, presumably you will.
gollark: NOOOOO! NOT EGGLOCK!
gollark: But not very packily or fast.
gollark: I'm packing myself with random CBs I quite like now.
gollark: I shall get shadow walkers in excessive quantities.

References
  1. "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2011/2012: Pairs". International Skating Union. April 21, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  2. "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2010/2011: Pairs". International Skating Union. May 6, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  3. "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2009/2010: Pairs". International Skating Union. March 24, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  4. "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2008/2009: Pairs". International Skating Union. April 18, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  5. Mittan, Barry (August 30, 2008). "Young Team Gives Japan Hope for Future". Skate Today. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  6. "Mervin Tran, un "Japonais" à St-Léonard" ["Japanese" Mervin Tran in St-Leonard]. La Presse (in French). December 9, 2011. Archived from the original on December 16, 2011.
  7. Brodie, Rob (April 14, 2011). "Takahashi and Tran: Young Pair Flying High". International Figure Skating. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  8. Rutherford, Lynn (September 20, 2011). "Japanese, Canadian pairs face off at Mid-Atlantics". Icenetwork. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  9. Flade, Tatjana (June 6, 2010). "High ambitions for Takahashi and Tran". Golden Skate. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  10. Sato, Shigemi (November 14, 2011). "Skater Mervin Tran mulls turning Japanese". Agence France-Presse. Google News. Archived from the original on November 14, 2011.
  11. Kondakova, Anna (March 28, 2012). "Savchenko and Szolkowy land throw triple Axel; lead pairs in Nice". Golden Skate.
  12. Kondakova, Anna (March 30, 2012). "Savchenko and Szolkowy capture fourth World title". Golden Skate.
  13. "JOC willing to work with Tran on citizenship issue". Ice Network. April 27, 2012.
  14. Flade, Tatjana (May 6, 2012). "Takahashi and Tran prepare for next season with new confidence". Golden Skate.
  15. "Figure skating: Pairs skater Tran's naturalization process hits snag". Mainichi Shimbun. May 16, 2012. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  16. フィギュア:ペアの高橋成美が左肩脱臼、ＧＰシリーズ欠場 [Figure skating: Pair skater Narumi Takahashi dislocated her shoulder and will miss GP series]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  17. Rutherford, Lynn (October 26, 2012). "Takahashi, Tran out of Grand Prix, worlds doubtful". Icenetwork.
  18. 高橋、トラン組ペア解消 世界フィギュア銅メダル [World bronze figure skating pair Takahashi and Tran end partnership] (in Japanese). Sports Navi. December 18, 2012. Archived from the original on December 18, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  19. "Figure skating: Takahashi-Tran dissolve pair combo". Kyodo News. Mainichi Shimbun. December 19, 2012. Archived from the original on December 19, 2012.
  20. Marois, Michel (March 12, 2013). "Mervin Tran: l'art de retomber sur ses patins" [Mervin Tran: the art of getting back on your feet (skates)]. La Presse (in French).
  21. Rosewater, Amy (June 10, 2014). "Castelli, Tran teaming up despite logistical hurdles". IceNetwork.com.
  22. Rutherford, Lynn (July 26, 2014). "Detroit postcards: More pair action off ice than on". IceNetwork.com.
  23. Rutherford, Lynn (January 19, 2017). "Kansas City strips: New pairs shake up status quo". IceNetwork.com.
  24. McCarvel, Nick (January 7, 2019). "'Moving On:' Marissa Castelli Doesn't Want You to Call Her Retired". US Figure Skating Fanzone. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  25. "Olivia SERAFINI / Mervin TRAN: 2019/2020". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 13, 2019.
  26. "OLIVIA SERAFINI AND MERVIN TRAN". US Figure Skating Fanzone.
  27. Cloutier, Claire (June 7, 2017). "Marissa Castelli & Mervin Tran: "We're skating for us"". figureskatersonline.com.
  28. "Marissa CASTELLI / Mervin TRAN: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018.
  29. "Marissa CASTELLI / Mervin TRAN: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 1, 2017.
  30. Brannen, Sarah S. (April 21, 2015). "Creating the program: Castelli, Tran choose music". IceNetwork.com.
  31. "Marissa CASTELLI / Mervin TRAN: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016.
  32. "Marissa Castelli / Mervin Tran". IceNetwork.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2018.
  33. "Natasha PURICH / Mervin TRAN: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014.
  34. "Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013.
  35. "Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012.
  36. "Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011.
  37. "Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 17, 2010.
  38. "Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN: 2008/2009". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 18, 2009.
  39. "Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN: 2007/2008". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 25, 2008.
  40. "Competition Results: Olivia SERAFINI / Mervin TRAN". International Skating Union.
  41. "Competition Results: Marissa CASTELLI / Mervin TRAN". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018.
  42. "Competition Results: Natasha PURICH / Mervin TRAN". International Skating Union.
  43. "Competition Results: Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 21, 2013.

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