Over the past five days, close to three hundred of the world’s best thirteen- to fifteen-year-olds have been displaying the growth and development in artistic swimming. The sport’s future is exciting and provides the up-and-coming superstars from all over the world with the chance to be successful at the highest level.  

Duet Free Women Final

The Duet competition was a nail-biter till the very end. The duo representing host nation Greece, Estella Karamanidou and Vasiliki Thanou, showcased their routine “What’s behind through the door,” choreographed to music by Gabriel Saban.  The Greek pair received the full 30.55 difficulty score and was awarded a total of 182.7124 points for the routine portion of their final score.

Having drawn starting position number seven, Karamanidou and Thanou and the Greek supporters had to wait to see if their final score, 262.3942 points, would remain the highest.  It was close, but Karamanidou and Thanou, earned the first gold medal for Greece with a 0.8-point difference over the second-place finisher.

The Japanese duo Manami Dodo and Nao Shirahase flawlessly performed their routine to receive the full declared difficulty, 29.95. The Japanese’s routine score 186.2521 was higher than the routine score of Greece, however, the pair did not outscore the Greek duo in the Figure competition which accounts for half of the final score.  With 261.5703 points Dodo and Shirahase edged out the third-place finishers with 0.7 points to claim the silver medal.

The bronze medal went to the American duo Ghizal Akbar and Kanako Field. Presenting Secret Agents” choreographed to the song “Take you down” by Daniel Pemberton , Akbar and Field received 181.3771 points for the routine, which included 30.25 points for difficulty. With a final score of 260.8923 points, the Americans added another medal to the impressive tally for the USA in Athens.

Team Free Final

After making a statement yesterday by winning the gold medal in the Free Combo, Team Japan returned in colorful suits designed to fit the “Clock” theme of their routine. Receiving the highest declared difficulty score of all the competitors, 32.2 points, the Japanese were awarded 222.7438 points for their routine, and occupied the top of the podium for the second time in Athens with a combined 299.2097 points to receive the gold medal.

The team representing Spain was awarded the same artistic impression as the gold medalists, 109.2500 points, but received slightly less for their executed difficulty, 30.25. 

After winning the bronze medal in the Free Combo earlier this week, the total score 288.3943 points brought the Spanish team one step higher on the podium to claim the silver medal.

Team USA’s choreography “Birds” swum to the song “Strictly Taboo” by Audiomachine, was awarded 206.4166 points. Unable to execute their declared difficulty, the Americans still received 31.90 of the 36.65 points. After adding the figures score, the total points, 282.2878 points, provided the USA another trip to the podium to collect the bronze medal.

Gala

After the competitive portion of the Championships concluded the athletes gathered to celebrate their successes during the very popular Gala event. The athletes were able to show their creativity and preform for each other without any of the rules associated with the competitive events. It was a party and celebratory atmosphere at the “KYPROS” pool at the Hellenic Army Academy, a wonderful wrap to a successful Youth World Championships.

Medal Table | World Aquatics Youth Artistic Swimming Championship 2023