In a thrilling display of skill and teamwork, hosts China topped the medal table at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup Super Final in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, on the Chinese mainland. Winning seven of 11 events, the team capped off the tournament with a dramatic victory in the team acrobatic discipline, marking another milestone for a nation that holds the Olympic crown in both duet and team routines.
The star of the meet was 19-year-old Xu Huiyan. Emerging as a rising talent, she captured five gold medals out of six events, underlining her technical prowess and consistency. After securing titles in the women’s solo technical and duet technical routines earlier, Xu added three team event victories and a bronze in the solo free on the final day.
“The intensity of this competition was quite high for me, with a packed schedule from morning till night,” Xu admitted. “Better stamina would help me control my movements more precisely and stay more focused. When my energy runs low, it affects my performance.”
Coach Shen Yingsha praised Xu’s debut in multiple disciplines: “I was initially concerned about her endurance, but her performance exceeded expectations.” Data from the final solo free routine shows Vasilina Khandoshka led with 229.8476 points, followed by Germany’s Klara Bleyer at 227.5688 and Xu at 226.5251.
Having started artistic swimming at seven, Xu now trains up to nine hours daily—sometimes stretching to 10 after a tough session. With the World Championships on the horizon next month, she and her teammates are gearing up for more high-stakes performances.
As China’s squad blends veterans with rising stars like Xu, the World Cup Super Final not only showcased elite athleticism but also highlighted the future of the sport in the region—and set the stage for the next chapter in artistic swimming on the global stage.
Reference(s):
Chinese young artistic swimmers make a splash at home World Cup
cgtn.com
