Latest news with #WorldAquaticsChampionships
Canada News.Net
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
(SP)SINGAPORE-WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS-ARTISTIC SWIMMING-TEAM TECHNICAL
(250722) -- SINGAPORE, July 22, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Team China perform during the team technical final of artistic swimming at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, July 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)
CNA
9 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
World Aquatics Championships aims to set new green standards for sports events in Singapore
Singapore is aiming to set new sustainability standards for future sporting events hosted in the country, building on current efforts at the ongoing World Aquatics Championships. This is as local organisers are working with a fintech firm to reduce the environmental impact of the large-scale event. A sustainability report will be shared with SportSG and World Aquatics at the end of the event. Alif Amsyar reports.
Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
‘Beautiful to see other men try this sport', say male artistic swimmers
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Britain's Ranjuo Tomblin initially faced sceptism from friends about his decision to go into artistic swimming, but says perceptions have changed since. SINGAPORE – When Ranjuo Tomblin first dipped his toes into artistic swimming in 2017, some of his friends questioned his choice of sport. Despite the scepticism, the Briton stayed the course. Over time, those friends came around and now support the 19-year-old's endeavours. At 15, Tomblin became the first artistic male swimmer to represent Britain internationally when he competed at the 2021 European Junior Championships. Since then, he has pushed the boundaries in a discipline traditionally viewed as a women's sport, achieving success at the European level and World Cup circuit. He said: 'It's not a well-known sport, it's not the usual football, rugby, which in Great Britain are quite common. 'At the beginning, my friends were a bit – I wouldn't say not accepting – but just a bit like 'that's a bit weird' and stuff like that. 'But as I've gone through the years, gotten those results, I feel like it's definitely more accepted by my friends.' Tomblin's journey is not an isolated one, but part of a larger transformation in artistic swimming as it gradually began embracing male participation. The pivotal moment came in 2015, when the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia, introduced mixed duets – the first time male athletes competed at the global level. Since then, the opportunities for men in the sport have grown, with the inclusion of solo events and male swimmers in team routines at the world championships. At the ongoing World Aquatics Championships (WCH) in Singapore, there are 22 male athletes competing across seven events, in contrast to the 2015 edition, which featured 10 male swimmers across two events. Much of this progress has been paved by trailblazers like American Bill May, who has become synonymous with male participation in artistic swimming. Today, a new generation is building on his legacy. Among them is Chile's Nicolas Campos, who is competing at the WCH Arena this week. The 17-year-old, who is the first male artistic swimmer to represent Chile at major international competitions, is encouraged to see interest in the sport growing among men. Nicolas, a medallist at the World Junior Artistic Swimming Championships, said: 'It's beautiful to see other men try this sport. I think it's very beautiful and people don't have the fear of being judged by other people.' Chile's Nicolas Campos is encouraged to see more men competing in artistic swimming. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO For Tomblin, the shift is evident at the grassroots level back home. He noted that there were about five mixed duets at the 2025 National Age Groups competition in England. In the past, he often competed alone. But Swedish swimmer David Martinez noted that although participation has increased and there are more opportunities, lingering perceptions that artistic swimming is meant only for women makes it challenging to attract more men. He said: 'I think a lot of people have assumptions... I do think you need to grow up, it's really not (the case). Dancing is for everyone, it's a form of art, it's a sport. Sport and art is for everyone and I feel like people are too close-minded.' While he feels there has been progress, Sweden's David Martinez also noted that assumptions that artistic swimming is only for women makes it challenging to get more men in the sport. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO One of the sport's brightest stars, Spain's Dennis Gonzalez, has had to navigate those challenges. After winning gold in the solo technical event at the 2024 European Championships, he found himself the target of hateful comments online. He told that his first instinct was to hide, but the world champion responded by posting a video condemning the hate. In that interview, Gonzalez, who has claimed a silver and bronze in Singapore, said: 'If I show weakness, how is a younger person supposed to face those comments? 'I want to show that no matter what, I'll keep doing what I love.' Spain's Dennis Gonzalez condemned hateful remarks he received online after winning the solo technical event at the 2024 European championships. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO While the roster of men's events at the world level has expanded, participation at the Olympics remains limited. Men were allowed to compete at the Olympics for the first time at the 2024 Paris Games, although none of the teams fielded men. The 2028 Los Angeles Games will not feature mixed duets. For many male athletes, their mission is not only personal success but creating a platform that encourages others to follow in their footsteps. Russia's Aleksandr Maltsev, a veteran in the sport with six world championships gold medals, feels the responsibility to keep going to inspire aspiring artistic swimmers. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Russia's Aleksandr Maltsev, winner of the men's solo free and technical in Singapore, said: 'It's very difficult to show every time very high technical and artistic impression. 'I work very hard every day to show my best in the competition and show young athletes an example because they are watching for me as a role model so I'm very pleased.'
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
New-look Australia swim team using World Aquatics C'ships in S'pore to build towards LA 2028
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Kaylee McKeown competing in the women's 100m backstroke final during the Australian Swimming Trials in Adelaide on June 10. SYDNEY – Seasoned campaigners Kaylee McKeown and Kyle Chalmers spearhead a young Australia squad for the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) in Singapore as the swimming powerhouse undergoes a post-Olympics changing of the guard. Since Paris, where Australia won seven golds to the eight by the United States, several big names have either retired or are resting. Australia's most successful Olympian, Emma McKeon, has hung up her goggles as have other stalwarts including Mitch Larkin, Brianna Throssell and Jenna Strauch. Four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus – who lost her 400m freestyle world record to Canadian Summer McIntosh in June – is on an extended break. That has opened the door for 10 debutants to make the Australia squad for the World Aquatics Championships, where the swimming events begin on July 27 at the newly built WCH Arena. Head coach Rohan Taylor characterised Singapore as the beginning of a new cycle building to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and a key learning experience for Australia's next potential superstars. 'I am excited by what this team can do over the next four years,' said Taylor. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport Asia Indonesia on high alert as dry weather fans forest, peatland fires in Sumatra Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded Singapore Teen charged after allegedly selling vaporisers, advertising e-cigarettes on WhatsApp Singapore 2,500 turtles seized in India and sent back to S'pore, put down humanely after salmonella detected Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving 'This is the beginning of the third Olympic campaign I have been the head coach for, and this team has a strong nucleus in place. 'The end goal is LA, but to be great in LA this very young team, which boasts 10 rookies, is going to learn what is needed on the global stage in Singapore.' Eleven of the squad are aged 20 or under. At just 16, Sienna Toohey has Australian fans most excited after she came from nowhere to qualify for the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Australia also have high hopes for fellow newcomers such as Hannah Fredericks (200m backstroke) and Ben Goedemans (800m freestyle), while Ella Ramsay, 21, will contest four events. The experienced core of the squad is led by Paris Olympics 50m freestyle champion Cameron McEvoy, who will be at his seventh world championships. His close friend Chalmers – who has won medals in the 100m free at three consecutive Olympics including gold on debut in Rio 2016 – toyed with packing up swimming after Paris, but a new coach has rejuvenated him. He was in scintillating form at the trials, qualifying in speedy times for the 50m and 100m freestyle, and the 50m butterfly. 'I'm just trusting what I have been doing in training, listening to what my coaches are telling me, trusting that we've done the work,' said Chalmers, who has won 12 world championship medals, including five golds. The women are headlined by McKeown, who retained her 100m and 200m backstroke titles in Paris. The 24-year-old will also swim the 50m in Singapore – an event added to the Olympic programme in 2028 – looking to emulate the treble she won at the 2023 world championships. Like McKeown, Olympic 200m champion Mollie O'Callaghan has been open about her struggles mentally after the high of Paris, where she achieved her dreams with three golds, a silver and a bronze. She has refocused and is a gold-medal prospect in both the 100m and 200m freestyle. Fast-rising teenager Olivia Wunsch is Australia's other women's 100m freestyle entrant, also qualifying for the 50m free alongside Olympic silver medallist Meg Harris. Lani Pallister has taken giant strides since the Olympics and had a breakthrough trials. She became only the third woman to swim under 15min 40sec in the 1,500m freestyle behind American great Katie Ledecky and the retired Dane Lottie Friis. Pallister also shattered Titmus's 800m national record and went under four minutes for the first time in the 400m. 'I think I've shown what I can do and I'm excited to build on it – I don't think this is my limit,' she said. REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
‘Special connection' sees Alexandri sisters clinch duet technical title at World Aquatics C'ships
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Anna-Maria Alexandri (left) and Eirini-Marina Alexandri of Austria celebrate after winning the artistic swimming women's duet technical event at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships. SINGAPORE – Like most siblings, Anna-Maria and Eirini-Marina Alexandri run into arguments, but they have found an unorthodox way to resolve them. Whenever the Austrian artistic swimmers, who are part of a triplet with their sister Vasiliki, have any disagreements, all it takes is a shared glance and a laugh to move past it. It is this unique bond that has helped them clinch their second world title on July 21, as they won the women's duet technical gold at the World Aquatics Championships (WCH). At the WCH Arena, the pair scored 307.1451 points, finishing ahead of Chinese twins Lin Yanhan and Lin Yanjun (301.4057) and Russians Mayya Doroshko and Tatiana Gayday (300.2183), who are competing as neutrals. With sisters taking up the top two spots on the podium, the 27-year-old Alexandris were asked if there is anything about being triplets or twins that helps with their pool performances. Eirini-Marina said: 'We have a special connection because we know how we feel and I know how she feels, even if I just look at her, so I know what I have to tell her to calm her down... 'It's sometimes easier because the twins, triplets, sisters have the same body structure and the same way they express the music, the movement, and in artistic swimming we look for perfection.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes at college campus Singapore ST Explains: What does it mean for etomidate to be listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act? Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Singapore NTU to have compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026 World US authorities probing passenger jet's close call with B-52 bomber over North Dakota Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip Singapore New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety Having topped the preliminary round three days earlier, the sisters were the final pair to take to the pool. But they took little notice of their competitors' scores; all that mattered to Anna-Maria was that it would be their turn at 7.25pm. They delivered a flawless routine to Japanese composer Koji Sakurai's version of the classical piece Swan Lake, securing their second world title, adding to the duet free gold they had won at the 2023 Fukuoka world championships. Their synchronicity in the pool was mirrored outside it, as they showcased their deep understanding of each other at the media mixed zone, seamlessly completing each other's responses in interviews. Eirini-Marina Alexandri (left) and Anna-Maria Alexandri of Austria performing their routine in the artistic swimming women's duet technical event at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG This victory comes after they were forced to withdraw from the 2024 Doha championships as Anna-Maria was still recovering from an injury suffered the year before. Anna-Maria said: 'We are very happy to be back. I had a shoulder dislocation in the summer of 2023 and I had pain and it hadn't fully recovered for Doha, so we had to withdraw from the world championships because our big goal was the Paris Olympics. 'Now we are very happy because this was the highlight of the year and we finished with a gold medal.' It has not been easy for the siblings since the Paris Olympics, where they were fourth in the duet. At the end of 2024, their long-time coach Albena Mladenova, who had guided them for 12 years, retired. For some time, they trained on their own, until they began working with Japanese coach Takako Nakajima four months ago – a partnership that has already yielded impressive results. Before their win in Singapore, they bagged the duet technical title at the European Championships in June, while Vasiliki returned after an 11-month break to take bronze in the solo technical at the World Cup in Canada. It was a familiar face atop the men's solo free podium on July 21, with Russian Aleksandr Maltsev, who is competing under neutral status, claiming his second gold after clinching the solo technical crown two days earlier. Neutral athlete Aleksandr Maltsev bagged his second title at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships after winning the men's solo free on July 21, 2025. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Maltsev topped with 229.5613 points, with China's Guo Muye (220.1926) and Italy's Filippo Pelati (213.9850) clinching silver and bronze respectively. While he had emerged triumphant at the venue a few days before, that win was no longer on the 30-year-old's mind. The six-time world championship gold medallist explained: 'It was completely new because it's a new routine, it's another (set of) rules from the technical routine. 'I was excited to compete today and I'm very satisfied that I could show my best swim in this routine because I've been doing this routine for one month. 'We created this routine one month ago for the world championships... it was very difficult during the training sessions because I did four routines – mixed duets and two solos – and this routine is one of the most difficult of our routines.' Earlier in the day, defending champions China topped the preliminary rounds of the team technical event with 306.2460 points, followed by neutral athletes from Russia (295.4633) and Spain (288.4091). Singapore missed out on the final after finishing 23rd with 200.6333 points.
