China’s Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi Lead Artistic Swimming Duet Technical at Paris Games
In an electrifying display at the Paris Games, China’s Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi secured the top spot in the duet technical routines of artistic swimming on Friday night, scoring an impressive 276.7867 points. The duo’s performance has set them up as strong contenders for the gold medal, which will be decided in the free routines on Saturday night.
Trailing behind the Chinese duo are Austria’s Anna-Maria Alexandri and Eirini-Marina Alexandri, who claimed second place with a score of 267.2533. Close on their heels are the Dutch twins, Bregje de Brouwer and Noortje de Brouwer, who scored 264.7066, placing them in third position.
The competition is not only fierce but also familial. The Wangs, the de Brouwers, and Ukraine’s Maryna and Vladyslava Aleksiiva, who finished fifth, are all twins. The Alexandri sisters are part of a set of triplets, adding another layer of intrigue to the event.
Artistic swimming routines are meticulously judged based on execution, artistic impression, and the overall degree of difficulty. Each 2 minute, 20 second routine must incorporate five technical elements, two hybrids, and one-pair acrobatics. The Wangs, who were the last to perform, delivered a mesmerizing routine titled “Lotus,” earning them a stunning 102.1000 in artistic impression – the only score above 100 in that category.
Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi are no strangers to the podium. They already claimed gold earlier in the Paris Games as part of China’s eight-person team. The duo also boasts gold medals from the 2022 and 2024 World Championships in both duet free and duet technical events.
The Alexandri sisters, known for their vibrant routine set to Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” were fan favorites on Friday. They won gold in the duet free competition at the 2023 World Championships. Their sister, Vasiliki-Pagona Alexandri, also competes in artistic swimming, primarily in solo events.
Britain’s Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe narrowly missed the top three, finishing fourth with a score of 264.0282. The pair had previously won bronze in the duet free and silver in the duet technical at the 2024 World Championships.
Japan’s Higa Moe and Sato Tomoka secured the sixth spot, while Spain’s Alisa Ozhogina Ozhogin and Iris Tio, who earned bronze in the team competition, finished seventh with a score of 254.0816. The American team, represented by Jaime Czarkowski and Megumi Field, placed 11th with a score of 230.7134 after helping the U.S. win silver in the team event.
Artistic swimming, previously known as synchronized swimming, underwent a name change in 2017 to broaden its appeal. Despite the rebranding, many participants still refer to it as “synchro.” This year’s Games also marked the first time men were allowed to compete, although none were selected for a team. Looking ahead, there is hope for the inclusion of a mixed duet event in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, potentially offering more opportunities for male athletes in the sport.
With Russia excluded from the Paris Games due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a new country is poised to claim the gold in artistic swimming for the first time since 2000. As the competition heats up, all eyes are on Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi as they aim to solidify their legacy with another gold medal.
