CHENGDU, China, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- After earning silver at the 17th FINA World Championships, China's synchronized swimming star sisters Jiang Wenwen and Jiang Tingting have shifted their attention to seeking out male athletes to take part in the sport.
Jiang Wenwen and Jiang Tingting released a notice via their microblog and WeChat about a synchronized swimming trial class for kids between 5 and 12. Breaststroke is listed as the only skill requirement.
"We are looking for little boys mainly between 8 and 10, because they are flexible," said said Zheng Jia, the twin sisters' coach. Zheng added that they are especially interested in boys with basic dance skills.
In recent years, male athletes have made an entry into the world of synchronized swimming, which had long been viewed as a woman's field. The first synchronized swimming mixed duet technical debuted at the World Championship in 2015. Chinese male synchronized swimmers made their debut at the FINA World Championships in 2017 and the overall level of Chinese male synchronized swimmers has a long way to go.
Jiang Wenwen and Jiang Tingting are making plans to give speeches about their careers in several junior schools in a bid to help children learn about synchronized swimming and be inspired to participate in it.
Just like figure skating or rhythmic gymnastics, synchronized swimming is an artform as well as a sport. Synchronized swimmers have to learn not only swimming skills but also music and choreography.
"From an athlete to coach, I have been engaged in the world of synchronized swimming for 34 years. I find that many children benefit from the practice of synchronized swimming, both in terms of physical fitness and artistic accomplishment," Zheng.
The Jiang sisters made history by ranking fourth in the free combination event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. They retired after the National Games in 2013, but both decided to make a comeback in 2015 after becoming mothers. Their improved performance brought them gold at the National Games in 2017 and silver in the World Championships soon after.
