At the 2017 FINA World Aquatics Championships held in Budapest, Hungary, China won the first-ever gold medal in synchronized swimming as they snatched the women’s free combination gold on July 22. Twin sisters Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi, who are from Shenzhen, helped achieve the history-making feat.

Top competitor Russia was absent from the matchup, which gave the Chinese team a great opportunity to write a new chapter in the history of the sport. And they didn’t waver, winning the gold medal with a dazzling performance.

Born in 1997, the twins began training at the age of 8 with the synchronized swimming team of Shenzhen Physical Culture and Sports Team.

In 2008, they were selected to the provincial team and won a gold medal for Guangdong Province at the National Games at the age of 16.

“This was the first time we set foot on such a big stage, and we would be lying if we said we were not nervous. Before the competition, we spoke with our coach Hu Lianghui, and shared our misgivings with her. By analyzing our expertises, capabilities and strengths in detail, she provided us with great encouragement. And in the end we did a great job at the competition,” said Wang Liuyi, the elder sister.

“Jiang Wenwen and Jiang Tingting (former twin synchronized swinners of the Chinese national team) have been our idols all along, and what they have achieved has always been our goal. Winning this gold medal makes us a step closer to our goal. And as Shenzheners, we are extremely proud to win the world championship for China,” added Wang Qianyi.

(Zhang Yu)