Chinese artistic swimmer Xu Huiyan clinched the first gold medal of the 2025 World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup Super Final on Friday, topping the women’s solo technical event with a score of 258.7933 points.
Competing in front of a home crowd in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, Xu delivered a commanding performance, marked by a series of technically demanding moves including back floats, inverted vertical holds, and precise rotations. Her routine, noted for its synchronization with the accompanying music and artistic expression, earned widespread praise from judges and spectators alike.
Spain’s Iris Tio Casas claimed the silver medal, while neutral athlete Vasilina Khandoshka took bronze.
“I focused more on perfecting my own routine than watching others,” Xu said following her victory. “The level of competition was extremely high, so I just tried to stay focused and give my best performance.”
The 2025 Super Final is considered the pinnacle of the international artistic swimming calendar and has drawn more than 100 elite athletes from 16 countries, including China, the United Kingdom, and Spain. The three-day event features 11 competitions across various categories and serves as a key benchmark ahead of future global tournaments.
The event highlights China’s growing prominence in the world of artistic swimming, with Xu’s win reinforcing the nation’s strength in the sport.
