Russia gets gold in solo free routine synchronised swimming

(L-R) Silver medallist China’s Huang Xuechen, gold medallist Russia’s Svetlana Romashina, and bronze medallist Spain’s Ona Carbonell Ballestero pose together during the victory ceremony for the solo free final during the synchronised swimming competition in the FINA World Championships at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona on July 24

Barcelona, July 25 (IANS) Russia’s Svetlana Romashina won the gold medal in the solo free routine of synchronized swimming at the World Swimming and Diving Championships here.

The 24-year-old Romashina scored a total of 97.340 points in a Marilyn Monroe-inspired routine which allowed her to win her third gold medal in Barcelona after her success in the solo and duet technical routine here Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

Romashina was followed by China’s Xuechen Huang, who already has two world silver medals in the solo technical. Huang scored 95. 720 points interpreting a music piece from the Phantom of the Opera musical, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Local favourite Ona Carbonell scored a total of 94.290 points, paying tribute to Barcelona, her home, with a duet of soprano Montserrat Caballe and rock singer Freddie Mercury from Queen that had been written for 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

A total of 308 sportswomen are competing in synchronized swimming at the Swimming Worlds Championships here, which set a record in terms of participation reaching 2,293 athletes from 181 different countries and regions.