Latest news with #AleksandrMaltsev
Russia Today
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Russia Today
Russian swimmers take 18 medals at world championship
Russian swimmers have placed fourth in the medal standings at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, collecting 18 medals while competing under neutral status. The country's athletes have gradually been returning to international competitions after years of restrictions over the Ukraine conflict. The latest swimming championship marked the first time Russian swimmers and divers have participated in the event since 2019. At the next tournament in 2022, Russian athletes were banned following recommendations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Russia won six golds in Singapore, including the men's and mixed 4x100m medley relays and the men's 50m backstroke. Synchronized swimmer Aleksandr Maltsev took three golds across solo and mixed duet routines. Silver medals came in multiple swimming and diving events, including individual races and team competitions. Russia also earned bronzes in women's synchronized duets and the men's 400m individual medley. China took first place in the overall standings with 37 medals (15 golds), followed by Australia (28, with 13 golds), and the United States (32, with 10 golds). Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said the results are 'among the best' and told Match TV that 'without our athletes, there would have been fake champions.' Lawmaker Dmitry Svishchev called the medals 'doubly valuable' due to the political and psychological pressure exerted on Russian nationals. Russian athletes have continued winning in other sports as well, despite restrictions. Last month, Russia's two-time Olympic fencing champion Yana Egorian won sabre gold at the World Championships in Georgia. Fencer Kirill Borodachev took silver, as did the women's sabre team. Meanwhile, the International Skating Union (ISU) has reported plummeting revenues since banning Russian athletes from competition, following IOC recommendations. A recent report found that the move closed off a 'key market' for the sport and 'reduced competitivity due to the absence of some elite athletes.' Moscow has repeatedly objected to the restrictions imposed by the IOC and other sports organizations. Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the moves as 'ethnic discrimination' and a 'violation of the Olympic Charter principles against politicizing sports.'
Straits Times
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Russia's Aleksandr Maltsev, China's Xu Xu Huiyan claim artistic swimming golds at World Aquatics Championships
Russia's Aleksandr Maltsev, who is competing under the neutral athlete banner, won the men's solo technical gold at the World Aquatics Championships on July 19, 2025. SINGAPORE – The pulsating rhythm of Billy Idol's Rebel Yell set the tone for a memorable return to the world stage for Russian artistic swimmer Aleksandr Maltsev on July 19. Showing little signs of ring rust, the 30-year-old marked his comeback after three years in the international wilderness with a gold in the men's solo technical at the World Aquatics Championships. Competing in his first championships since 2019, Maltsev scored 251.7133 points to clinch his first individual title at the meet under a neutral flag – he was unable to compete at the previous three editions due to World Aquatics' suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Spain's Dennis Gonzalez Boneu (241.1667) and Mexico's Diego Villalobos Carrillo (238.1600) finished second and third respectively. bringing his total world championships medal count to five, adding to his earlier successes in the mixed duet free and mixed duet technical. Maltsev's achievement at the WCH Arena takes his world championship medal tally to five, adding to his previous successes in the mixed duet free and mixed duet technical. He said: 'It was sad that I couldn't compete at the (previous) world championships but now when I returned, I'm very happy that I can win the gold medal in solo.' His triumph will also go some way to easing his disappointment of missing out on the 2024 Paris Olympics, the first edition where men were allowed to compete in artistic swimming. Each country was permitted to enter two male swimmers in the eight-athlete team event, although none featured male competitors. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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While World Aquatics has gradually eased regulations for Russian and Belarusian athletes, the Singapore edition marks the first time that Russia are entering a contingent under a neutral flag. The door was opened to athletes from both countries to compete as neutrals for the 2024 edition in Doha, and while five athletes from Belarus did so, Russia opted not to take part. Russia made its return to the global stage at the short-course World Aquatics Swimming Championships held in Budapest, Hungary, last December. According to the World Aquatics website, there are 16 athletes from Belarus and 60 from Russia competing this time. But athletes from these countries have to meet strict eligibility criteria to receive clearance to participate in the event, which includes a requirement that they do not express support for any ongoing conflicts. For Maltsev, competing on the world stage again 'feels very new', but he is glad to be back and is encouraged to see 'a lot of excellent male athletes competing in our sport now'. On being one of the pioneering figures in the sport, he said: 'It's hard because it's a lot of responsibility. You understand that you need to walk out and always show the top level in all aspects, but the support from the young athletes who come up to you and treat you like an icon, that also gives me strength.' Meanwhile, in the women's solo technical event, China's Xu Huiyan triumphed with an impressive score of 272.9917 to claim her first solo title at the world championships. Vasilina Khandoshka from Belarus took silver (260.5416), while Spain's Iris Tio Casas rounded up the podium with 260.2917. Xu, 19, said: 'I feel good about how today went. It feels pretty emotional, because something I hoped for but hadn't dared to think about before is now a reality before me.' With her gold, the teenager improved on her bronze from the 2024 edition. China's Xu Huiyan won the women's solo technical event at the World Aquatics Championships on July 19, 2025, with an impressive score of 272.9917. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Reflecting on her progress, Xu, who still has four events, said: 'The past year has been a gruelling one in training for me. It's been a lot of growth. I needed to work on my artistic impression. That was something I was lacking in last year.' Earlier in the day, Xu also participated in the team free preliminary round, with defending champions China booking their place in the 12-country final, earning the top score of 338.2167. Spain were second (329.4288), while Japan qualified third with 327.9186.
