MEDAL TABLE 1 CHN 6 6 3 15 2 RUS 6 2 1 9 3 USA 3 1 1 5

The FINA World Championships

Herald - 2015 Friday, 31 July № 

.Mega mix.

MALTSEV AND VALITOVA LEAD THE WAY ON ANOTHER GREAT NIGHT FOR Russia’s dominance of the synchro- in the mixed duet free program. successful debut in a FINA event. nised events continued For Romashina and Ishchenko it was yet The mixed duo was the last to perform with two more triumphs yesterday. another addition to a glittering career on the night and they overhauled Golden girls Svetana Romashina and that has now seen them win 39 golds America’s Bill May and Kristina added free duet between them at World Champion- Lum-Underwood to win gold to their success in the technical ships. For Maltsev and Valitova, though, by 0.266 of a point. That avenged discipline before Aleksandr Maltsev it was a triumph at the fi rst time of a narrow defeat in Sunday’s and Darina Valitova took the top prize asking as mixed free synchro made a technical program. >>>>>> P 56

The FINA World Championships Herald-2015 Friday, July 31, 2015 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMERS PERFORM ALL THEIR ACROBATIC FEATS WITHOUT DAY TOUCHING THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL

SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING • FINAL SWIMMING By Matthew Luxmoore, photo: Rinat Nazmetdinov By Kirill Shlykov New-look Australia ready to shine Sunday sees the start of the swimming competition at the FINA World Championship. Australia, traditionally a strong performer at this event, ar- rived in on Wednesday and the team is looking to get over a disappointment at the last Olympics.

he days of the ‘Thorpedo’, the unstoppable Ian Thorpe, terrorising swimming pools Taround the world, are long gone and Australian swimming is waiting for a new generation to emerge. In , the worst Olympic results for 20 years generated a scandal – and much hand-wringing – down under but the team is regrouping under a new coach, Dutchman Jacco Verhaeren, and the mood in the camp in Kazan is already very di erent. “I wasn’t there in 2012 so I can’t say much about that, but this team has been phenom- MALTSEV AND VALITOVA enal with me,” he said. “I haven’t had any bad experiences. I think a lot of the work had been done before I came in so I can play it safe. The LEAD THE WAY FOR RUSSIA team runs itself and it’s a pleasure to man- age them.” Cont. from page 1 Italy’s pair was the first team to win multiple older than her compatriot The athletes also are trying to forget what synchro medals for the country at a single world was when she won in 2009. went wrong in London and deliver medals in Maltsev described that defeat as “bitter”, but championships. Yesterday’s bronze equals the Asked about the details of future performanc- Kazan. The biggest hopes hang on Cate Camp- victory was a personal triumph as the 20-year- result they achieved in the duet technical rou- es, she remained secretive as ever, merely prom- bell and Christian Sprenger, both of whom ar- old delivered the perfect riposte to anyone who tine last Sunday, which was their first synchro- ising reporters “you won’t be disappointed.” rive with gold medals from previous Worlds had told him that synchronised swimming was nised swimming medal since Beatrice Adeliz- created a tense atmosphere in the and Olympics. a woman’s sport. zi won bronze in the solo free routine in 2009. pool, combining a bass-heavy soundtrack with “It’s always hard when we race against the “I started synchro at the age of 7, when my It was clear how much that meant when slow, elegant movement. Yet Huang Xuechen, Europeans,” said Campbell. “You can’t underes- parents took me to a class. When I started get- Giorgio Minisini and Mariangela Perrupato with 13 medals Asia’s most decorated synchro- timate anyone at a World Championship, even ting better my dream was to perform at an of- jumped into each others’ arms following the nised swimmer at world championship lev- in the year before the Olympics. “Anyone can ficial championship, and now that dream has announcement of their score. el, and partner Sun Wenyan could not match step up on the day and take what you per- come true,” he said. “A lot of people are down “I didn’t sleep last night as I was so thinking Russia and once again had to settle for silver. ceive to be your place in the final. People al- on the idea of men in synchro, not only in Rus- so hard about today. We really wanted a medal, Ukraine came third, a result that Lolita ways raise their performance, especially when sia but in other countries as well. But my close and we finally made it,” Minisini said. Ananasova and Anna Voloshyna deemed a ma- they have a chance of getting to Rio.” friends supported me and told me if I carry on The mixed competition came right after Ro- jor success. “Our trainer prepared our fighting Some have claimed that this year’s compe- I’ll achieve my ambitions.” mashina and Ishchenko produced yet another spirit. This was a long journey for Ukraine and tition is somewhat devalued due to the num- The pair performed to excerpts from Tchaik- peerless performance. The duet, fast becoming I believe this first medal for us is only the be- ber of athletes who are absent due to inju- ovsky’s ballet “Swan Lake” and their atmospher- the queens of the 2015 World Championships, ginning,” Voloshyna said. ry, suspension or a simple reluctance to dis- ic routine evoked the dark side of tragic legend. scored an incredible 98.2000 to beat the Chi- rupt long-term preparations for the Olympics. That earned them an impressive 91.7333 points, nese by two clear points and fulfill the expecta- Synchronised swimming. But Sprenger insists that any medal is just ahead of the USA’s pair. tions of a typically lively home crowd. Duet, free program worth full value here.

The ballet theme also inspired May and Lum- Their energetic program explored sever- / “I think whenever you get a World Champi- Underwood, who produced an acrobatic dis- al classically-inspired soundtracks and moods, 98.2000 Russia Natalia Ishchenko onship you see the best athletes in the world play featuring mock violence and an apocalyp- keeping the crowds agog with excitement. at that time,” he said. “If someone’s injured China Huang Xuechen / tic soundtrack derived from Stravinsky’s “The Russia had a perfect record going into this 95.9000 Sun Wenyan or someone can’t come that’s just how it is. Firebird”. They led the field until the final per- event, having won all four gold medals at prior If you are crowned world champion this year formance before settling for silver. world championships. But clear favourites Ro- Lolita Ananasova/ it’s as valuable as any other time. You’ve beat- 93.6000 Ukraine Anna Voloshyna For Bill May, a silver medal caps off a cham- mashina and Ishchenko, number one and two en the best in the world, and that’s some ac- pionship in which he already secured gold with on the all-time gold medal list, never looked like complishment even if the favourite isn’t there.” Christina Jones last Sunday in the mixed duet they were under pressure. Synchronised swimming. The athletes are also looking forward to technical event to deny hosts a sweep of gold “Our trainer nurtures and educates us from Mixed duet, free program competing in Arena Kazan – a converted foot-

medals. Despite his 36 years, May vowed to keep childhood, and it is only that collective work Aleksandr Maltsev/ ball stadium will be a new experience for most going and he was full of praise for his Russian that brings us such results,” Romashina said. 91.7333 Russia Darina Valitova of them. And although they’ve had little time hosts and their commitment to the sport. With 22 medals, Ishchenko is now the most to explore Kazan, they’ve been impressed with USA Bill May/ “Russia pushes synchronised swimming and decorated synchronized swimmer in world 91.4667 Kristina Lum-Underwood what they’ve seen. Verhaeren confirmed that has developed the discipline greatly. I have also championship history, moving ahead of Spain’s his team was well looked after: “From what received nothing but the warmest of welcomes Gemma Mengual. At 29 she also becomes the Giorgio Minisini/ I’ve seen, Kazan has done a great job so far.” 89.3333 Italy Mariangela Perrupato here in Kazan,” he said. oldest world champion in this event, three years

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The FINA World Championships Herald - 2015 Friday, July 31, 2015

THE MOST FAMOUS OPEN WATER CHALLENGE IS SWIMMING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL. THE ROUTE FROM DOVER TO CALAIS IS AT LEAST  MILES  KM BUT CURRENTS AND CONDITIONS CAN MAKE IT MUCH LONGER. THE FIRST RECORDED CROSSING WAS IN  WHEN ENGLAND’S MATTHEW WEBB COMPLETED IT IN  HOURS,  MINUTES.

DIVING • WOMEN`S • FINAL By Andy Potts, photo Ramil Gilvanov KOREAN SENSATION STUNS THE CHINESE There was a huge shock in the women’s 10m plat- scoring throughout the competition until form as unknown North Korean youngster the vital fi nal moments. Kim was down in third as the trio Kuk Hyang Kim emerged from nowhere to produce went into the fi nal round, with all three a gold medal performance. attempting a 2.5 back somersault / 1.5 twist pike – the toughest dive on the he event turned into a battle in this event but I hope that we will program – to conclude. between the consistent and meet in future and I can try to beat her.” And the Korean nailed it, wowing the Tthe spectacular as Kim edged During the medal ceremony Kim judges with a superb leap that earned out Chinese youngster Qian Ren and surprised many by giving a military style 91.2 points and vaulted her back into the ’s Pandelela Rinong thanks to salute as her country’s anthem was heard gold medal spot. a fantastic fi nal round under the most for the fi rst time ever at a FINA World The Chinese girls could not follow it

intense pressure. Championship. – 14-year-old Ren later admitted that 56 To put that achievement into some “I wanted to show my great she was a bit nervous after witnessing perspective, North Korea had never appreciation for our national leader, Kim Kim’s fantastic fi nale - and Rinong won any World Championship medal Jung-Un,” she said. “When I go back to sneaked in to take bronze ahead of until two days ago. China, meanwhile, Korea all the people will come onto the Si. The defending champion fi nished had defending champion Yajie Si in street to welcome us home.” without a medal after scoring a contention here and had picked up Kim began with an indi erent dive disappointing 72 in her last dive. at least two medals in this event in but produced two impressive e orts Rinong, who shot to fame with a the last two championships. Kim, by to climb from 10th to top of the bronze medal in London in 2012, spoke of contrast, was in her fi rst international leaderboard after three rounds. That how diving has grown in Malaysia since competition – emerging almost got the crowd right behind her but she won the country’s fi rst Olympic literally from nowhere to take the there was a heart-stopping moment medal away from the badminton court. top prize. in round four when the 16-year-old’s “The Malaysian government really “I started diving when I was 12,” performance dipped slightly and put the supports its sportsmen, especially our she said. “Now I’m in high school and I gold in jeopardy. divers since I won in London,” she said. “I defeat to Kim. “This is my fi rst World Diving. Women’s 10m platform combine my studies and training. I train A below-par attempt in round four can see how diving has improved a lot in Championship but I don’t think my age North Korea Kuk Hyang for fi ve hours a day – two in the morning seemed to open the door for Ren and her our country and a lot of youngsters have had any infl uence on my performance,” 397.05 Kim and three in the afternoon – and I do fellow Chinese competitor Yajie Si, the come to the sport. All of the athletes are she said. “I did my best but not everything 388.00 China Qian Ren maybe 40 dives in a day. pre-competition favourites for medals. Si, very talented.” was fl awless. I could have done some Malaysia Pandelela “My idol is [Chinese diver] Chen in particular, was a consistent performer. Ren, meanwhile, refl ected that her of the dives a bit better but I will keep 385.05 Rinong Ruolin. It’s a pity she wasn’t competing She rarely dazzled, but produced reliable tender age was not the reason for her working and improve next time.”

OPEN WATER SWIMMING • TEAM • FINAL By Aly Keita, photo Rinat Nazmetdinov “If I’d stopped they would have killed me!” The Netherlands and Brazil both these races you always have to swim won silver medals after they produced for the girl but Sharon is very strong. I identical times of 55:31.2 at the Kazanka think we did pretty well here.” venue. The unfortunate Italians also Van Rouwendaal felt that a slow start broke 56 minutes but missed out on a cost them a chance of overhauling the medal by a narrow margin after a long Germans. wait to confi rm the Brazilian time. “I think our second lap was faster than The team event sees each country the fi rst,” she said. “We will have to go out send out three swimmers – two men fast next time to win the race.” and one woman – in a group. The Brazil’s Ana Marcela Cunha added a trios are expected to work together to silver to her bronze medal from the 10km, maximise speed and conserve energy partnering Diogo Vallarinho and Allan do and the time of the slowest swimmer is Carmo to success. taken as the team’s fi nal result. For Vallarinho, who missed out on That makes it important to get the qualifying for the 2016 Olympics during tactics right: typically the men alternate the men’s 10km, a medal here was a a pace-maker role, looking to lead the redeeming moment. woman to the best possible time while “It was such a fast race. We were making sure that nobody gets left behind. very tired at the end but we are so But Germany’s Rob Mu els added happy with a silver medal,” he said. that Harle played a big role in pushing “Two days ago I missed out on my fi rst the team forward to a repeat of its chance to qualify for Rio so this race gold. “It was pretty fast,” he was a perfect response. Ana pushed said. “Isabel coaches a lot from behind us to the maximum, which was really me and we wanted to get away from good, and Allan led our strategy and The fear factor helped Germany to win gold in the team 5km open water swim the Americans right behind us.” direction.” The Dutch team arrived with two ermany defended its title from Gold medal winner Isabelle Harle looks out for me and if I slow down silver medals from the 10km races. Ferry Open water swimming. Team. 5 km Barcelona 2013 in a fast race in joked that fear had been her motivation he slows down to help. And Christian Weertman was second among the men changeable conditions at the going into the race. “I was a bit afraid of (Reicherts) is my man and also looks after while came G 55:14.4 Germany Kazanka open water venue. the guys – if I had stopped they would the navigation.” behind Aurelie Muller of France in the Despite a sudden downpour during have drowned me!” she said after the For the fi rst time in a FINA World women’s race. They were joined by 55:31.2 Netherlands the race the teams completed the course medal ceremony. “My job was to keep Championships, no bronze medal was Marcel Schouten here. in an impressive time, with the German up with them but after the fi rst lap it awarded at the open water 5km team Weertman paid tribute to van 55:31.2 Brazil trio taking fi rst place in 55:14.4 was really hard. Luckily Rob (Mu els) event. Rouwendaal’s e orts in the race: “In 4 The FINA World Championships Herald - 2015 Friday, 31 July 2015 Water of Life

WELCOME TO TATARSTAN By Daria Turceva SCHEDULE TIME EVENT

SABANTUY: MEET THE 31 JULY 10:00 Diving. 3M board. Women. Qualifying round

VALIANT BATYRS 15:00 Diving. 3M board. Women. Semi-final. Saturday is the national Tatar festival of Sabantuy, one of the highlights of the year for people in Synchronised swimming. Women’s Kazan and the surrounding area. To get you in the mood for the party, here are some hints on 17:30 team, free program. Final how to become a Batyr warrior. 19:00 Synchronised swimming. Medal ceremony.

19:30 Diving. 3M board. Men. Final

20:55 Diving Medal ceremony

WATER POLO. MEN. QUALIFYING ROUND. 9:30 M17: South Africa – Kazakhstan

10:50 M18: Hungary – Argentina

12:10 M19: Serbia – Australia

13:30 M20: – Montenegro

17:30 M21: Croatia – China

18:50 M23: Greece – Russia

20:10 M22: Brazil – Canada

21:30 M24: USA - Italy

he roots of Sabantuy have been on the faces of the spirits of fertility, with the final battle of the ‘batyrs’, the nurtured in Tatar soil for more ensuring a bumper crop. valiant, traditional warriors. The winner FANS! Tthan 1,000 years. The name Even today, Sabantuy is still takes the top prize. It was once a live derives from the word ‘Saban’, or plough, Tatarstan’s favourite holiday. It takes sheep, but today a more “urban” prize and the festival celebrates the end of place in a large meadow, called the fund usually involves a car. Girls are not the back-breaking work in the field and “Maydan”. Families come here to set out left out: whichever beauty can cook, anticipates the coming harvest. People tables of food, sing, dance and enjoy the sew, dance and sing better than the believe that having fun will put a smile competitions. The celebrations climax rest is named ‘Tatar-kyzy’. CONTESTS AND TACTICS

Belt wrestling Sack-battles Pot smashing Kuresh, or belt wrestling, is the This contest is a bit like a pillow This isn’t always an event for tough national sport of Tatarstan. It’s not just fight, but much more difficult. Firstly, guys. Anyone can enter, since it’s a test a test of brute force; it takes special the participants are perched precariously of accuracy and spatial awareness. The training and an understanding of the high above the ground. Secondly, those participant is blindfolded and led into a rules and techniques. The wrestlers face soft feathery pillows are replaced with clearing next to a clay pot. He or she is each other with a towel in their right bags full of straw. The idea is to knock spun around several times and needs hands. They try to wrap that towel your opponent from his perch while to avoid getting dizzy and count the around their opponent’s waist, like a keeping your own balance. It’s not just number of circuits. Then the task is to belt. If you successfully lasso your rival about a heavy blow – strong legs and hit the pot with a bat. The audience will Photo: Ramil Gilvanov you need to lift him off his feet and a good sense of balance are essential shout encouragement and advice, which lay him on the floor. It’s not enough to stay in place. This event is great fun; may or may not be useful. to simply knock someone over; only a spectators and daring competitors alike PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES IN full ‘lift and lie’ will score points. After can barely stop laughing. Running with water a five-minute bout the highest score This is a bit like an egg-and-spoon THE FINA WATER WORLD PARK wins. Finding a coin in “katyk” race, but far more complicated. In Many cultures have a competition ancient Russia it was one of the tests of July 31 Climbing the pole that involves fishing an object out of a prospective bride – if a girl could carry 12.00 - “Welcome to Kazan!” concert This is one of the toughest tasks. water without using hands – think of buckets of water home from the well 14.00 A Batyr is not only strong and hardy, bobbing for apples. This version is not as without spilling a drop, she would be 12.30 - 13.00 Workout with Planeta Fitness he is also fearless. And to prove it he easy as it looks. A coin is put in a bowl a good housekeeper, wife and mother. drags himself up a 10m pillar. It’s a true and covered in katyk, a sour yoghurt. To When girls enter this contest they put 14.00 - Interactive program and competitions, live action from the pool 17.00 on the big screen greasy pole. The wood is sanded until get the coin out, contestants have to on a shoulder yoke with a bucket of it is perfectly smooth and sometimes use their lips or teeth. For spectators, water dangling from each end. Then 17.00 - 18.00 Showcase for the best bands from Tatarstan and Russia the organisers like to smear soap or it’s a hilarious sight; for competitors it’s they run the course as fast as they can (19.00) oil over it. A ribbon flutters from the a real challenge. The stars of the FINA without spilling the water. If most of 18.00 - top and the contestants aim to pluck World Championships might have a good the competitions are harder on the 21.00 “Student Stars” festival it down. Often there are several poles chance of success here – it helps to be contestants, this one can be worse for set up so would-be batyrs can race able to hold your breath for as long as the spectators … they tend to get soaked 21.00 - “Dancing underwater”, show by the Iskusheniye dance theatre 22.00 of St.Petersburg each to the top. possible to avoid choking on the katyk. as the water sloshes out of the buckets.

The Executive Founder and publisher: AO Tatmedia 2 Akademicheskaya Ul., Kazan 420097 «World Championships Herald-2015» The newspaper was registered on March 15, 2013 with the management of the Federal Service for the overview of Offical publication of the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan Directorate for communications, information technology and mass media of the Republic of Tatarstan. License number TU 16-00963 Editor in chief, Sports Projects is an Editorial address The newspaper is printed at Tatmedia’s print house, PIK Idel-Press: project director 2, Dekabristov Ul., Kazan 420066 official organizer of 2 Ul. Dekabristov, Kazan. Confirmed for publication: scheduled 02.00, signed 00.00 A.N. Adiyatova Print run - 1500 copies. Order number 9727 e-mail: [email protected] the 16th FINA World Editor (English language) The opinion of individual contributors does not always reflect the opinion of the publisher. Material can only be reproduced Andy Potts Telephone: (843) 222-09-85 (extn. 2013) Championships with the written permission of the publisher. Distributed free of charge. Some material may be unsuitable for under 16s.