Team China set the stage on fire at the FINA Artistic Swimming World Cup Super Final in Xi'an on Friday! With a dazzling mix of seasoned Olympic champions and promising young talents, the Chinese team clinched three golds and a silver on the very first day. Their performance, inspired by the hit video game "Black Myth: Wukong" and infused with the spirit of Chinese mythology and the grandeur of the Qin Dynasty, earned an impressive 277.2258 points. 🏊♀️✨
Head coach Zhang Xiaohuan highlighted the cultural vibe of the routine, noting that it was a heartfelt tribute to their home ground. Veteran artistic swimmer Chang Hao praised the effort with an 8/10 rating, mentioning that the team is in a transition phase as they work to fine-tune coordination between experienced athletes and fresh faces. After 7 months of intensive training, the improvements are clearly visible.
International rivals were close behind – Spain scored 276.1408 points while Japan took third with 262.5166. Paula Ramirez Ibanez from Spain commented on the routine's artistic flair, emphasizing its bold creative elements and high level of difficulty.
The excitement continued in the women's duet technical event where teenage pair Xu Huiyan and Lin Yanjun mesmerized the audience with their "Moon Shadow Dancer" routine, scoring a stellar 289.6150 points to claim the gold. Xu, who also shone in the women's solo technical by scoring 258.7933 points, demonstrated why she's considered one of China's top talents. Meanwhile, China's 17-year-old Guo Muye earned a silver in the men's solo technical event with 224.0400 points, coming very close to Mexican competitor Diego Villalobos Carrillo’s winning score of 225.0841. Guo noted that the intense pressure of competing on home ground adds to the challenge, and there remains room for refining synchronization and artistic expression.
With Saturday bringing four more thrilling disciplines – men's solo free, women's duet free, mixed duet technical, and team free – this Super Final promises even more high-energy and breathtaking performances. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from this spectacular event!
Reference(s):
Team China dominate 1st day of Artistic Swimming World Cup Super Final
cgtn.com
