FINA World Championship 2013: First gold goes to Russia thanks to Svetlana Romashina

Synchronised Swimming - 2013/07/20 21:00

RENANG INDAH INDONESIA-The Russian swimmer has inaugurated the podium in Palau Sant Jordi by achieving gold in the Solo Technical event with a score of 96.860. Huang Xuechen of China took silver with 95.500 points and Ona Carbonell gets the first bronze medal for Spain with 94.400

Romashina has created more distance from the other girls by improving her score and obtaining 48.300 points in execution and 48.500 in overall impression. Huang was awarded 47.700 in execution and 47.800 points for overall impression. Ona Carbonell achieved her best score of the year with the level score of 47.200 both in execution and overall impression.

Svetlana Romashina had stepped in to substitute her teammate Natalia Ishchenko in the solo event after she announced that she would take a sabbatical year. Romashina maintained an extremely high level, keeping well out of reach of the other girls on the podium. There was more than a point’s difference which makes the level of demand even greater for those who want to get their hands on that gold meal. “I have carried the solo event in my heart since 2004, although I admit that it was not easy to substitute Ishchenko.”

Ona Carbonell has accomplished her first goal for these Championships with this medal as well as making her debut as a medallist in this event. The support from the crowd ensured that the captain of the Spanish team could improve on her performance and therefore on the result obtained in the preleminaries (94.200). This morning she admitted that although she was happy she still needed to improve her performance. She smiled as she confirmed “it´s the best technical score I´ve got this year.”

China´s representative, Huang Xuechen, performed a very classic routine inspired by Swan Lake and she said “I have done my best to win the gold medal, but it is very difficult to reach Russia.” It involved impressive vertical movements and was full of strength. Romashina showed off all her potential with a performance accentuating her height, expressivity and power. Carbonell, to the beat of Black izard brought out her most elegant and sober side. During the execution she didn’t seem to lose any energy making her whole body emerge from the water on three occasions. "It was a tough day. I will participate in 13 events which is physically and mentally tough. I look forward to competing in the solo free and aim to win the silver medal. Special thanks to the crowd, which has motivated me a lot" said Carbonell in the press conference.

Tomorrow Palau Sant Jordi will open their doors again to synchronised swimming for the preliminary tests of Duet Technical (9.00 am - 12.30 pm), Free Combination (2.00 pm – 4.30 pm) and the Duet Technical final (7.00 pm to 8.45 pm).

SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING NEWS CHINA WINS FINA SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING WORLD TROPHY

RENANG INDAH INDONESIA-LAUSANNE, Switzerland, December 3. TEAM China clinched their first title of the FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy at the seventh edition organised in Mexico City (MEX) from November 30 to December 2, 2012.

A total 10 national federations -- Brazil, Canada, China, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine and USA -- performed in the Synchro Highlight Routine, Thematic Duet, Thematic Team and Free Combination.

China remained dominant throughout the three-day competition, taking top spot in the four contested events. Japan finished second overall -- placing two in three events -- while Ukraine took third, after a second-place finish in the Duet and completing the podium in the three team events. 

This second place is a marked improvement for the Japanese team, whose last podium appearance at the World Trophy was in 2006 (first edition). The Ukrainians continue to strengthen their influence among the world's best, making the top-3 for the second time.

Podiums by event
Synchro Highlight Routine: 1. CHN, 95.788; 2. JPN, 95.238; 3. UKR, 94.925
Thematic Duet: 1. Wenwen Jiang/Tingting Jiang (CHN) 95.125; 2. Lolita Ananasova/Anna Voloshyna (UKR) 93.888; 3. Stephanie Leclair/Karine Thomas (CAN) 93.463
Thematic Team: 1. CHN, 96.338; 2. JPN, 95.838; 3. UKR, 94.563
Free Combination: 1. CHN 97.375; 2. JPN, 95.600; 3. UKR, 95.400

Overall Ranking & Prize money: 1. CHN, 384.625 (US$ 50,000); 2. JPN, 379.450 (US$ 30,000); 3. UKR, 378.775 (US$ 20,000); 4. CAN, 374.450 (US$ 15,000); 5. MEX, 371.588 (US$ 12,500); 6. RUS, 364.225 (US$ 10,000); 7. USA, 357.100 (US$ 9,000); 8. NED, 353.250 (US$ 8,000); 9. BRA, 352.263 (US$ 7,000), 10. GBR, 87.988 (US$ 6,000)

Podium of previous editions
2006 (Moscow, RUS): 1. Russia, 2. Spain, 3. Japan
2007 (Rio de Janeiro, BRA): 1. Russia, 2. Spain, 3. United States
2008 (Madrid, ESP): 1. Spain, 2. China, 3. Russia
2009 (Montreal, CAN): 1. Canada 2. Russia 3. Spain
2010 (Moscow, RUS): 1. Spain 2. Russia 3. Ukraine
2011 (Beijing, CHN): 1. Spain 2. China 3. Canada

FINA SYNCHRO WORLD TROPHY Mexico 2012, Day 3: China takes home 1st Synchro World Trophy title

China Free Combination

Eliana Alves, FINA Press Commission Membe

RENANG INDAH-December 2, 2012 MEXICO CITY - The Free combination routine concluded the seventh edition of the FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy in Mexico. Dynamic and versatile, the Free combination features all the possibilities of this artistic discipline - solo, duet, trio and teams – in a single routine and China took again the spotlight on the last day, winning the overall competition with 384.625 points. Japan (379.450 points) and Ukraine (378.775 points) completed the podium, second and third respectively. The podium was the same in the Free combination routine.

China entered in this competition showing strength and confirming their intention to reach the top of the synchro world hierarchy. The Chinese girls delivered a vibrant routine wearing red swimsuits, the colour of the country, with an original choreography, marked by perfect body balance and height of figures.

The team of Japan received the highest score including all events in the competition for their Free combination routine: 97.375. China's biggest rival on the Asian continent used dramacity and beautiful figures to capture silver. Elegance and finesse were the assets of the young Ukrainian team to climb the podium with a total 95.400.

The host country, Mexico, produced a fine performance overall. The Mexicans, who renovated the team to have a good result at home, finished fifth, ahead of traditional synchro powerhouses Russia and USA.

Fans at the World Trophy were very enthusiastic and filled the stands. This edition of the World Trophy presented teams exploring always further the infinite resources of their sport and thanks to the very original competition format - notably the use of accessories - the event keeps getting more and more spectacular.

OVERALL RANKING

Team and Point

1.	CHINA	384.625
2.	JAPAN	379.450
3.	UKRAINE	378.775
4.	CANADA	374.450
5.	MEXICO	371.588
6.	RUSSIA	364.225
7.	USA	357.100
8.	NETHERLANDS	353.250
9.	BRAZIL	352.263
10.	GREAT BRITAIN	87.988

SYNCHRO HIGHLIGHT ROUTINE

THEMATIC DUET

1.	Wenwen Jiang/Tingting Jiang (CHN)	95.125
2.	Lolita Ananasova/Anna Voloshyna (UKR)	93.888
3.	Stephanie Leclair/Karine Thomas (CAN)	93.463
4.	Nuria Diosdado/Isabel Delgado (MEX)	93.350
5.	Risako Mitsui/Mai Nakamura (JPN)	92.775
6.	Victoria Shestakovich/Daria Vakurova (RUS)	91.113
7.	Jamie Kuchan/Alexa Tchekmarev (USA)	88.050
8.	Lara Teixeira/Nayara Figueira (BRA)	87.825
9.	Elizabeth Sneeuw/Nicolien Wellen (NED)	87.088

THEMATIC TEAM

1.	China	96.338
2.	Japan	95.838
3.	Ukraine	94.563
4.	Mexico	94.188
5.	Canada	91.863
6.	USA	91.000
7.	Russia	90.775
8.	Brazil	88.925
9.	Netherlands	88.863

FREE COMBINATION

1.	China	97.375
2.	Japan	95.600
3.	Ukraine	95.400

FINA SYNCHRO WORLD TROPHY

RENANG INDAH-The FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy is aimed at the best Synchronised Swimming Solos, Duets, Teams and Combination in the World. It is organised every year since 2006 and offers professional organisation, wide Television Broadcasting and Prize Money.

The objectives are to promote the beauty of Synchronised Swimming, as well as to improve new developments, strategies and an inspired innovative competition formula to attract crowds and large TV audiences.

As to encourage the creativity in Synchronised Swimming, scores are given for the Artistic Impression only. There will be two (2) panels of judges: five (5) FINA Neutral Judges and five (5) Celebrity Judges appointed by the FINA Technical Synchronised Swimming Committee.

The 7th FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy 2012 will be held from November 30 to December 2, 2012 in the State of Mexico (MEX)

Mexico 2012, Day 2: China wins Thematic team, Japan and Ukraine also on podium

Mexico

Eliana Alves, FINA Press Commission Member

December 1, 2012 MEXICO CITY - RENANG INDAH INDONESIA=The softness of Chinese folk songs and the energy of the samurai highlighted the second day of the 7th FINA Synchro World Trophy, marked by very creative routines. On day 2, the Chinese team received again very high scores for their near-perfect performance. The team (Or Liu, Xi Luo, Xuechen Huang, Wu Ywen, Jiachen Fan, Lele Yu Xiaoujun chen, Wenyan One, Si Chang and Li Guo) totalled a winning score of 96.338.

The Chinese swimmers transformed the pool into a dance floor, thrilling both the judges and audience with the mega hit song "Opa Gagnam Style". The Japanese filled the pool with mystery when they climbed on the deck dressed as samurai using features such as dry ice. Their dramatic performance earned them a total 95.838 points from the judges. Team Japan was composed by Yukiko Inui, Aika Hakoyama, Mai Nakamura, Risako Mitsui, Mayo Itoyama, Kurumi Yoshida, Miho Arai, Hibaru Kazumori, Kanami Nakamaki, Misa Sugiyama and Chikako Izumi.

If the battle for the top spots was comfortable, the fight for the minor medal was fierce between Mexico and Ukraine. The Ukrainians eclipsed the locals with their lively and dynamic version of the country folk themes. Team Ukraine (Olena Grehykhina, Ganna Klymenko, Katerina Sadrska, Zolotarova Look, Lolita Ananasova, Anastasiya Sauchuk, Vira Golubova, Oleksandra Sabada, Anna Voloshyna, Dana Mariia Klymenko, Maryna Golyadkina and Kateryna Reznik) scored 94.563 points overall.

In this edition of the World Trophy, Ukraine climbed the podium in all events so far. Head coach Svetlana Saidova highlights the youth and strength of the team.

“They are young, but very experienced because they participated in many competitions in Europe. This team was silver medallist at the FINA World Junior Synchro Championship in 2010. And below we have a generation that is also very strong. We're worrying about keeping a constant renewal”.

Mexico came with the power of Maya culture and a sumptuous start on the deck that included a pyramid. As their routine unfolded, there were many elements that characterised the country, including sombreros and the famous song 'Guadalajara'. The Mexican team, which until the penultimate presentation remained in third place with 94.188 points, are now placing fourth.

Day 2 also featured a Solo Exhibition with some of the world's best soloists: Russian Yulia Potapova, Japan's Adachi Yumi, Lolita Ananasova from Ukraine, Chinese Xuechen Huang and British Olivia Federicci.

Mexico 2012, Day 1: China dominates in Synchro highlight and Thematic duet

Eliana Alves, FINA Press Commission Membe

November 30, 2012 MEXICO CITY - The seventh edition of the FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy started with all the energy and "plasticity" of the Synchro highlight routines and thematic duets. All participating countries - Russia, China, USA, Canada, Great Britain, Netherlands, Brazil, Japan, Mexico and Ukraine - will present at the Mexican Olympic Sports Centre pool a show that keeps getting more and more spectacular since the competition was firstly launched in 2006. More specifically, the use of accessories is allowed and time on deck can exceed 10 seconds. All of these aspects without sacrificing the technique of the sport.

Asia dominated the first event of the competition, the Synchro Highlight routine, with China (95.788 points) and Japan (95.238 points) finishing on top, showing very different styles. While the Chinese chose to use at the same time delicacy and vigor in their birds-themed routine, the Japanese used several accessories and their theatrical skills in a daring choreography that featured an armed dispute by power. Both teams displayed creativity and a high degree of difficulty in their routine.

Ukraine (94.925 points) was third in the Synchro Highlight routine with a tribal theme that incorporated accurate and well-executed acrobatic movements. They were followed by Canada (92.400 points), who chose to mirror spiders in their routine. The owners of the house, Mexico (90.788 points), which made the crowd vibrate with a mime-inspired routine. Russia, who performed on a vibrant Latin music, came just behind Mexico with 90.475 points.

The second event of the day, the Thematic duet, was based on the local culture of the host country. Once more, China (95.125 points) shined. Famous twins Wenwen and Tingting Jiang showed how experienced they are in executing a difficult routine wearing the traditional colourful Mexican skirts on the deck and red shoes in the water. Their coach Wang Na said that they intend to be better next year, at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

“They are very mature technically and all we are doing is based on hard work day by day. This duet has many advantages because of the natural physical similarity, the high and other features that make them a very strong duo. It is an honour to be champion again and I thank everyone for their support.”

Ukraine (93.888 points) finished in second place, also representing Mexican dancers, and Canada (93.463 points) took third, dressed up like the typical Mexican animal: the jaguar. The good surprise was Mexico's fourth spot, with 93.350 points, to the delight of the home crowd, cheering from the stand.

Some of the country's celebrities were also among fans to watch the outstanding performances of the Synchro World Trophy day 1: Diego Reyes, Olympic champion with the Mexican soccer team in London this year and diver Fernando Platas, silver medallist in Sydney 2000.

Many of the competing teams presented an important renovation of swimmers, being now in preparation for the next Olympic cycle that will culminate with the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (fina)

Selvie sabet emas tiga PON

Pekanbaru - RENANG INDAH - Atlet renang indah andalan Sulawesi Selatan Selvie Melowa mencatat "hattrick" atau menyabet medali emas tiga kali penyelenggaraan PON secara berturut-turut sejak PON XVI/2004 Palembang (Sumsel), PON XVII/2008 Samarinda (Kaltim) dan PON XVIII/2012 Pekanbaru, Riau.

Selvie merebut medali emas PON Riau setelah mengungguli lima pesaingnya dari DKI Jakarta, Jatim, Yogyakarta, Jabar dan Sumsel dengan selisih poin cukup jauh di nomor solo dengan total skor 145,500 di final, Rabu .

Pada pertandingan hari pertama, Senin (17/9) di kolam renang sport center Rumbai, Selvie sudah unggul jauh dengan peserta lainnya di nomor tunggal technical routine (TR) dengan skor 72.400, kemudian pada pertandingan hari kedua free routine (FR) ia kembali mengumpulakn nilai tertinggi 73,10 poin, sehingga skor akhir 145,500 poin.

Sukses Selvie di nomor solo yang sempat berlatih tiga bulan di Kanada sebelum penyelenggaraan PON, tidak diikuti rekannya di nomor duet dan tim yang gagal merebut medali.

Wakil Gubernur Sulsel Agus Arifin Nu`mang yang hadir menyaksikan partai final tiga nomor yang dipertandingkan di renang indah yakni solo, duet dan tim didaulat panitia penyelenggara menyerahkan medali kepada pemenang.

Wagub menyatakan senang dan bangga atlet Sulsel berhasil merebut medali emas renang indah, meski harus bersaing dengan atlet dari provinsi lain yakni, Jabar, DKI Jakatta, Jateng, Yogyakarta, Sumsel dan Jatim.

Sebelumnya, Ketua Harian Pengprov PRSI Sulsel Abd Muin menyatakan yakin Selvie meraih medali emas, setelah di pertandingan hari pertama sudah mengungguli atlet SEA Games dari DKI Jakarta, Jabar dan Yogyakarta dengan total nilai 72.400.

Seusai pengalungan medali oleh Wakil Guberenur Agus Arifin Nu`mang, Selvie menerima ucapan selamat dari Pimpinan Kontingen Sulsel Ellong Tjandra, manajer akuatik Sulsel Ilyas Manggabarani dan Ketua Harian PRSI Sulsel Abd Muin. (ANTARA News)