Synchro World Trophy 2015, Day 1: China claims two golds at FINA Synchro Swimming World Trophy

Composed of JInagsu team swimmers, China clinched two gold medals out of three on offer on the first day of the 10th FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy here on Saturday at Keqiang, the Textile City of China in Zhejiang province while world bronze medallists Giorgio Minisini / Mariangela Perrupato took the advantage in the mixed duet for Italy.

China showed different joyful celebration activities during the Spring Festival by making the traditional Chinese paper-cut folk art in the Synchro Highlight routine, winning the event with 91.3333 points. Russia finished second with 87.6666 and Japan third with 86.8333. Ukraine came to fourth with 86.6667.

"We have been preparing for this routine for one month. We did our best today. Since the Spring Festival is coming, we are in the mood of celebrating the Chinese New Year," said Xu Qianxue who later paired with Zhang Xiwen to lift the title in the Thematic Duet in 90.5000.

Costanza Ferro / Linda Cerruti of Italy came to silver with 89.1667 and Yelyzaveta Yakiino/Yana Nariezhna of Urkaine finished third with 88.6667.
Russia, who selected best swimmers from local clubs in Moscow, revealed a mistake in the Synchro Highlight cost their good results.

"We trained very hard for this World Trophy. We played gangsters, gun, car...It was a pity that one of our swimmers touched the bottom of the pool during the routine and therefore we lost some points. But it is OK, we are young and we lack experience," said the 17-year-old Russia girl Alexandra Popova.

Among the five pairs in the Mixed Duet, Giorgio Minisini / Mariangela Perrupato of Italy, bronze medallists in both mixed duet technical and free at Kazan World Championships last July, performed "Dream On" by Aerosmith and sealed the victory with 89.1667. Kateryna Reznik/Anton Timofeyev of Ukraine and Berta Ferreras Sanz/Pau Ribes Culla of Spain came to second and third. Ondrei Cibulka/Sabina Holubova of Czech Republic and Deng Zeyang/Wang Ciyue of China followed next.

"We improved compared to what we did in Kazan, the points are higher. We are happy with the silver," smiled Timofeyev.

The free team routine, solo exhibition and free combination will take place on Dec.13.

Swimmers from Australia, China, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States are competing in the World Trophy.