International competition for artistic swimming in 2022 began with a virtual event, as the world worked to put the pandemic behind it. Athletes went on to compete throughout the year, with the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest serving as the highlight. And voting is now open for the best women and men artistic swimmers to determine the 2022 superstars.
The public polling is balanced with votes that are also cast by top retired athletes, technical officials, sports leaders and members of the media. The winners will be crowned during the World Aquatics Championships - Fukuoka 2023.
Svetlana Romashina and Svetlana Kolesnichenko (RUS) shared the honours in 2021, and Romashina subsequently announced her retirement. On the men’s side, Aleksandr Maltsev (RUS) was named the winner in 2021 for the fourth time.
Meet the 2022 Women Artistic Swimming of the Year Nominees
Yukiko Inui (JPN) made history in Budapest when she won Japan’s first-ever gold medal in solo artistic swimming in the women’s solo technical event. She then earned her second gold medal in the women’s solo free routine. The 32-year-old has her sights set on back-to-back gold this year in Fukuoka.
21-year-old Marta Fiedina (UKR) was a hero for her country in 2022 when she and Ukraine put on a dominant performance in artistic swimming at the European Aquatics Championships. She won both solo routine events, earning a repeat victory in the solo technical routine. In Budapest, she earned silver, coming in behind Inui in the women’s solo free event.
Evangelia Platanioti (GRE) earned the bronze medal in Budapest behind Inui and Feidina. The 28-year-old was a part of the gold-medal-winning mixed free team at the Artistic Swimming World Series 2022
Linda Cerruti (ITA), 29, had a successful run at the European Aquatics Championships in Rome, earning a silver medal in several events, including women’s team free, solo free, team free combination and team technical. She also took home the silver medal in Budapest in the women’s team highlight.
Meet the 2022 Men Artistic Swimming of the Year Nominees
Giorgio Minisini (ITA) brought home several medals in 2022, including the mixed duet free in Rome and Budapest, as well as mixed duet technical in Budapest. The 27-year-old has been a champion for men’s artistic swimming in Italy and will continue to be a fierce competitor this year in Fukuoka.
Pau Ribes (ESP), 27, announced his retirement in October 2022 after years of dominance and advocating for men’s artistic swimming. In 2022 he won two silver medals at the European Championships and also placed fourth in both technical and free mixed duet events at the World Championships, the highest ranking for his country.
18-year-old Yotaro Sato (JPN) became a three-time World Junior Champion in mixed duet technical and team free combination after competing in his first World Junior Championships in 2022 with his sister, Yotaro. He hopes to continue his success in his home country at Fukuoka 2023.
Haoyu Shi (CHN) claimed the bronze medal in mixed duet free, behind Sato, in Budapest to make history for China by finishing with four golds and two bronze medals. At 21 years old, Shi is already a strong contender in 2023.
Vote Now!
Voting will continue throughout the week, until this Saturday (June 17), with a vote taking place for one sport a day for the next six days.
Thursday, June 15, will see Open Water Swimming’s stars vie for the title while voting for Diving will open on Friday, June 16, with High Diving rounding out the week on Saturday, the 17th.