Russian pair dance to gold in synchronized swimming
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-08-26 14:20

World champions Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Ermakova proved Russians' prowess in the synchronized swimming when they eased to the duet title with perfection.

The two Anastasias were met with screaming cheering and applause from the capacity spectators after they completed their three-minute-31-second performance to the music of Don Kihot to score 49.917 points in the duet free routine final.

They also led the field on Monday's technical routine, whose point was carried into the final to make a total of 99.334.

The Russian pair won over the 10 judges as they got eight full 10.0 marks, including five 10.0s from as many judges responsible for the artistic impression.

"These Russian girls, wow, they are only getting better," said Canadian artistic impression judge Sandra Reberts.

"We are overjoyed. We were sure that we were going to win the medal. We are the best," said Davydova, 21.

"The most difficult part of this tournament was not to beat the Japanese, but trying to decide which pair would represent Russia this time -- Kisseleva and Brusnikina or us," said Ermakova, also at 21.

Olga Brusnikina and Maria Kisseleva bagged the duet gold at the Sydney Olympic Games four years ago.

Japanese Miya Tachibana and Miho Takeda retained their runners-up position as in Sydney after they finished second in both the technical and free routines.

In Wednesday's free program, the world silver medalists imitated the movements of the Japanese dolls, scoring 49.417 to collect a total of 98.417.

The United States staged a minor surprise when Alison Bartosik and Anna Kozlova, fifth place finishers at the worlds, took bronzein a total of 96.918.

The pair, with an age gap of 11 years, delivered a performance inspired by Greek mythology, receiving 48.584 for the free.

"It is important not to feel like the underdog, so you can compete against the best teams," said Kozlova, nearly 32.

World bronze medalists Gemma Mengual and Paola Tirados missed the podium, placing fourth in 96.251 with 48.334 from the free.

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