Wang twins make a huge splash with gold in duet
China claimed their first gold medal in the duet artistic swimming event on Saturday, as the Wang twins did just enough to hold off three other pairs of sisters fighting for the title.
China also won the team artistic swimming event last Wednesday, making them the new dominant force in the sport.
Russia have won the most gold medals in artistic swimming but were excluded from Paris in the wake of their country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Britain and the Netherlands won their first medals in the sport, with silver and bronze, respectively.
Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi began their free routine in dramatic fashion, crawling like panthers to the edge of the water before diving in. As they had done during their technical routine on Friday, the twins commanded the pool, gliding gracefully during their performance and stretching through the space in the water.
The sisters had stood in the gold medal position after Friday’s technical routine, but with a lead of only 9.5 points, their win was not assured. The Wangs sat on the edge of the bench, jumping up and bursting into tears when they saw they had won the gold.
Wang Qianyi said she felt being twins helped with both the execution and artistic elements, as their identical body type lent a uniform look during the routine, while their sibling bond helped them stay in sync.
“We know each other really well. With just a simple look we feel each other’s mood and encourage each other and grow together,” she said.
For the Netherland’s Bregje and Noortje de Brouwer – also twins – it meant having each other’s support no matter the outcome of the competition.
“We have the same goal. If we go home, we’re still friends and sisters,” Bregje said.
“I know I can’t make her upset,” Noortje joked.
With their bronze, Britain’s Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe said they hoped more young people back home would feel encouraged to try artistic swimming.
The pair performed a routine with the theme of “rising phoenix” intended to reflect a new era for artistic swimming – with its new scoring system introduced at the Paris Games.
The dramatic music selection featured a bird call as the team opened their performance with two backflips into the water.
The swimmers and their coach cried and hugged when their score showed they were assured of a medal.