China’s Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi Lead Artistic Swimming Duet Technical at Paris Games
China’s Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi have taken the lead in the artistic swimming duet technical event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering a stunning performance that captivated audiences and judges alike
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Competition Highlights
The competition has been fierce, with Austria’s Anna-Maria Alexandri and Eirini-Marina Alexandri securing second place with a score of 267.2533. Close behind are the Dutch twins, Bregje and Noortje de Brouwer, who earned 264.7066 points, placing them in third. A remarkable aspect of this year’s event is that all three top duos are comprised of twins, adding a unique familial element to the competition. The Alexandri sisters, who are part of a set of triplets, further enhance the event’s intrigue.
Routine and Judging
Artistic swimming routines, previously known as synchronized swimming, are judged meticulously on execution, artistic impression, and difficulty. Each routine, lasting 2 minutes and 20 seconds, must include five technical elements, two hybrids, and one pair acrobatics. The Wangs, performing last, delivered a mesmerizing routine titled “Lotus,” earning an impressive 102.1000 in artistic impression—the highest score in that category.
Past Achievements
Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi are seasoned champions, having already secured gold in the eight-person team event earlier in the Paris Games. They also hold gold medals from the 2022 and 2024 World Championships in both duet free and duet technical events, underscoring their consistent excellence and dominance in the sport.
Other Notable Performances
The Alexandri sisters were crowd favorites with their vibrant routine set to Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” which won widespread acclaim. They previously claimed gold in the duet free competition at the 2023 World Championships. Their sister, Vasiliki-Pagona Alexandri, also competes in artistic swimming, focusing on solo events.
Britain’s Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth with a score of 264.0282. They had previously won bronze in the duet free and silver in the duet technical at the 2024 World Championships. Higa Moe and Sato Tomoka from Japan 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.
The Evolution of Artistic Swimming
Artistic swimming, rebranded from synchronized swimming in 2017 to broaden its appeal, saw its first male competitors this year, although no men were selected for a team. There is hope for the inclusion of a mixed duet event in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which could provide more opportunities for male athletes in the sport.
Looking Ahead
With Russia’s exclusion from the Paris Games due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the door is open for a new country to claim gold in artistic swimming for the first time since 2000. As the competition intensifies, all eyes are on Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi as they aim to cement their legacy with another gold medal
