Duets from Canada, Mexico, Austria, Greece, USA, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Japan, China and Ukraine qualified to take part in the duet technical final held at the Varosliget Park this morning, July 16.

While the competition was tight between Russia, China and Ukraine, Svetlana Kolesnichenko came back strong today and clinched gold in 95.0515 points (+ 0.0453 from prelims’ score) together with partner Alexandra Patskevich.

This is Kolesnichenko’s second gold in this event as the 23-year-old topped the duet tech at the FINA World Championships four years ago, in Barcelona 2013. At the time, she was swimming with Svetlana Romashina, who then clinched the gold on offer in Kazan 2015 with teammate Natalia Ishchenko.

Kolesnichenko and Patskevich (RUS)

None of Romashina or Ishchenko are taking part in the 17th edition of the World’s in Budapest.

This gold medal represents Russia’s 6th victory as the country has been collecting all gold on offer for this event since 2007.

Chinese duet Jiang Tingting and Jiang Wenwen took silver today in 94.0775 points (against 92.9033) offering an elegant and highly technical routine under a Spanish-inspired song.

China's twin sisters Jiang

This is China’s fourth silver medal after ranking third in Shanghai 2011, Barcelona 2013 and Kazan 2015.

China also stepped on the second step of the podium at the latest Olympic Games in Rio 2016.

Ukraine's Anna Voloshyna and Yelyzaveta Yakhno were delighted to come third with 92.6482 points and give their country’s a first ever medal in the duet tech at a FINA World Championships, keeping Japan off the podium following a similar faith seen yesterday in the solo tech event.

Voloshyna and Yelyzaveta (UKR)

Japan's Yukiko Inui / Mai Nakamura (92.0572) and Ona Carbonell / Paula Ramirez of Spain (90.7507) settled for fourth and fifth places respectively.

The final ranking of the duet technical event is as follows: 1. RUS, 2. CHN, 3. UKR, 4. JPN, 5. ESP, 6. ITA, 7. CAN, 8. AUT, 9. GRE, 10. MEX, 11. FRA, 12. USA

Duet Tech podium 1. RUS, 2. CHN, 3. UKR

The synchronised swimming competition resumes tomorrow with the mixed duet technical event (Monday July 17) at 11am.

You can follow the action on FINAtv and check out the detailed results here.

QUOTES

Svetlana Kolesnichenko (RUS), gold

“This tech duet routine “Jazz” was supposed to be an Olympic routine for Natalia Ischenko and Svetlana Romashina. But they decided not to show it in Rio. So we took the chance to perform it in our own way in a new duet”.

Aleksandra Patskevich (RUS), gold

“I like our programme very much. It’s so bright, emotional and sexy. I think, that we managed to show the character and the cabaret atmosphere.”

“They say we look very much alike with Sveta. Even the coaches couldn’t guess who is who, observing our legs from the pool deck.”  

Jiang Tingning and Jiang Wenwen (CHN), silver

“We are so happy to be back after a two-year time-out. We took a break to give birth to our children. It was a challenge to return to the top, but we could overcome all difficulties and problems in training, because we love synchronised swimming.”

“Nevertheless we are not sure if we are going to prepare for Tokio-2020. We could be called a veteran team. That’s why our decision will depend on our physical conditions.”

Anna Voloshyna (UKR), bronze

“I was very excited, when they announced the scores. Actually, I’m always very emotional after a good performance, especially after winning a medal at the World Championships. Moreover, I have a new partner this time – Yelyzaveta Yakhno, who was a junior World Champion. So to get this podium is a great achievement for us.”