Women's Solo Technical

Xu Huiyan from China, bronze medalist in Women's Solo Tech on her first international performance at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, proved the old saying that the Last is the Best as she showed off as the last one among the 15 swimmers of the event.  In a theme of a Wonderful Night Tour of Chang'an City, Xu notched the host team's first gold medal with the highest score of 244.9183 points.

"I felt confident and excited when I entered the competition pool as the local audience gave me a great applause and cheers. I improved my speed and more types on the rotating movements since the new rules came into force last month. I think I am better now than I was in Doha, "smiled the 18-year-old. "I saw the flying dragon just before the competition. It was amazing as if the Water Cube turned to be the Wonderland.  It was so beautiful and pushed me forget about nerves."

Vasilina Khandoshka as a Neutral International Athlete finished second in 234.8867 and Kyra Hoevertsz of Aruba came third in its 211. 1767.

"We changed our routines according to the new rules. It was a bit difficult. We only arrived last night in Beijing, we didn't have a time to get over jet lag or anything and my body is not in good shape. I am really tired and confused because it is a 15-hour time difference," Hoevertsz said.

"I was the seventh in Doha World Championships and now I am so excited to move ahead to the bronze medal at the World Cup in Beijing," Hoevertsz celebrated her happiness by jumping and screaming together with coach Liu Ou, former Chinese Olympic artistic swimmer and now runs the Santa Clara Artist Swim Club in California, USA.

Men's Solo Technical

Jordi Caceres Iglesias of Spain claimed gold in his international debut by winning 190.8916, beating Guo Muye of China 175.9717 and Filippo Pelati of Italy 130.5201, respectively.

"It is my fifth year doing Solo and my first year in the international event. I was so happy to represent Spain to compete here in Beijing and I enjoyed the race very much," said the 20-year-old Spanish.

For the native Beijing boy, Guo, 16, was still in mood of regret as he made some mistake in his routine Warrior in the Water.

"I was too nervous because it is my first international competition. My family members, including my grandparents, parents, sisters and brothers came to cheer for me at the venue. However, it was a pity that I had some mistakes and lost points, "said Guo, who started swimming first and then turned to artistic swimming in 2017.

Mixed Duet Tech

Guo Muye and Ji Heyue later brought China second gold as they performed with a theme as the Merchant Prince on the Silk Road with 206.8800 points.

"I felt more relaxed in the Mixed Duet than in Solo because my partner Ji was with me. We have been trained together for more than two years.  We performed OK in the routine but still received penalties. I hope my twin brother Muxi will show his best in the Mixed Duet Free on April 7," said Guo.   

Kazakhstan's reigning world champions Nargiza Bolatova and Eduard Kim felt rusty in their Boss Baby and finished second in 199.4450.

"We reduced our difficulties this time compared to the routine we did in Doha world championships, but we still felt tired and slow in the race. We like the new rules that we can have more types of  rotations," Kim said.

Spanish pair Jordi Caceres Iglesias and Emma Garcia Garcia was third 195.5616, followed by Italians Filippo Pelati and Sarah Maria Rizea 193.9500.

Open Team Technical

With the traditional Chinese ancient music type Pozhenyue, the host team showed a routine full of speed and passion, collecting 250.2686 for its third victory of the day, while Australia took the silver 229.1117 and Kazakhstan third 208.6020. Hong Kong, China placed fourth.

"It was a new routine that we just trained for less than two months. We are young and inexperienced compared to our top-level national team members, but we are trying to catch up with them in the elements of difficulties, quality and artistic expression," Wu Jingyan said.

For Australian Georgia Courage-Gardiner, she felt their performance was “a very good swim”. 

“Because we didn't get the base mark, which is always a great sign in this new system. The most identical factor in the team competition is being synchronized and making sure we all do the exact same thing at the exact same time and the exact same angle.”

Coming Up | Day 2 in Beijing

The Women’s Solo Free, Men’s Solo Free, Women’s Duet Technical and Team Free will take on place on the second day of the Artistic Swimming World Cup in Beijing.