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) 

Round-up: Rivals aim to emulate clean-sweep Russia

Reigning Olympic champions Russia remained dominant in the Synchronised Swimming but China and Spain have pledged to rival them in the future.

RENANG INDAH INDONESIA (11/8). The Russian Team held on to their Olympic title with a score of 197.030 - three points clear of silver medallists China, and nearly four above bronze medallistsSpain.

They have won gold at every World Championships since 1998 and seem to be almost unbeatable, with Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina sealing the Duets title for Russa too.

China's Jiang Wenwen said: 'The Russians' performance was almost perfect. They are idols for us, they are models for us to learn. Perhaps in the future we can catch up little by little and close the gap.'

Alba Cabello Rodilla from the Spanish team said beating the gold medallists was 'not impossible'.

'The Russian team has great technical potential but we are very strong on the artistic aspects, so why not beat Russia one day? It's not impossible,' she said.

Russian coach Tatiana Pokrovskaya, who was thrown in the pool by her team as they celebrated, said she gets inspiration from rival teams.

'It's great to have serious competitors because everything they do we learn from. Our programmes were so different, the inspiration behind them was so different, and that's inspiring. At this level it's fantastically imaginative.

'I've learned from the other teams and I want my girls to learn from them.'

Russia performed both their technical and free routines to music by Denis Garnizov, while China adopted a butterfly theme for their free piece.

Spain, who missed out on the silver medal by just one point, insisted they were not disappointed by the result.

Thais Henriquez Torres said: "We are very happy because above all, the most important thing for us, was the feedback that we got from our coaching team. They were very happy.

'We think we've done better than ever here, we've shone today more than we shone yesterday.'

Results

Synchronised Swimming - Medals

1.      Russian Federation (2-0-0)

2.      People's Republic of China (0-1-1)

3.      Spain (0-1-1)

Women's Duets

1.      ISHCHENKO Natalia / ROMASHINA Svetlana (98.900)

2.      CARBONELL BALLESTERO Ona / FUENTES FACHE Andrea (96.900)

3.      HUANG Xuechen / LIU Ou (96.770)

Women's Teams

1.      Russia (197.030)

2.      China (194.010)

3.      Spain (193.120)

Russia retain Team Synchronised Swimming title

Reigning Olympic Synchronised Swimming champions Russia held onto their title today, winning gold in the Team event.

RENANG INDAH INDONESIA (10/8). The squad clinched victory with a combined score of 197.030 for their Technical and Free routines, both set to music by Denis Garnizov.

Russia have dominated Synchronised Swimming in recent years, having won every World Championships since 1998 and taking gold at the 2008 Beijing Games.

China were beaten into second place, with a combined score of 194.010, while Spain clinched bronze with 193.12.

Russia's Anzhelika Timanina said: 'It was very good, it was really hard work. We're really happy because we've trained really hard and there were a lot of emotions but it ended very well.

'For four girls in our team it is their first Olympics and they are very emotional.'

She said once again Russia had proved that they are the best in the world in this sport.

'We have amazing coaches and we have an amazing team. Of course the other countries here are very good, but I think now the results speak for themselves.'