China sweep golds under Japan's 'mother of synchro'

GUANGZHOU: China swept the Asian Games synchronised swimming gold medals Sunday under Japanese coach Masayo Imura, leaving former powerhouse Japan in their wake for the second straight time.

China won the combination title on the final day after twins, Jiang Wenwen and Jiang Tingting, retained their duet crown on Friday and powered the hosts to grab a second straight team gold on Saturday.

Swimminng to the soundtrack music of "Alice in Wonderland," the Chinese squad of 10 water ballerinas performed as individuals, pairs, fours, eights and a whole, dazzling with high jumps and lifts.

They collected 97.125 points with Japan second at 94.000 and Kazakhastan third at 85.375.

It was the first time that the combination was competed at the Asian Games since the aquatic sport made its debut in 1994.

"I am very pleased because we aimed for the three gold medals here," said Imura, who guided China to their first ever Olympic synchro medal -- a team
bronze -- at the 2008 Beijing Games.

The 60-year-old assumed her second coaching job with China just a few months ago.

"They have shown what they have but they are still short of a perfect 10," she added.

"Russia still reign high above. If the Chinese swimmers find what they should do to catch them, they will further improve."

Known as Japan's "mother of synchro," Imura coached the Japanese national team for 27 years as they secured podium finishes in all six Olympic Games to Athens 2004, where they finished second behind Russia.

China hired Imura as head coach for the first time just after they dethroned Japan as the region's long-time synchro leaders at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha.

Imura's current contract covered the Synchro World Cup in Changshu, China, in mid-September and these Asian Games.

With Imura in charge, the Jiang twins beat the Canadian pair of Marie Pier Bouderau-Gagnon into second spot at the World Cup. In the team event, China finished runner-up to Olympic and world champions Russia.

Japan, made up of young talent who have emerged after the Olympics, finished second in all categories in Guangzhou.

In the combination, they swam to the tune of "Phantom of the Opera" featuring a group act with five underwater swimmers lifting five others into the shape of a crown.

Japan's coach Masami Hanamure said: "We have a lot of young players and lack individual skills. We need the strong will to go up as a team."

Imura, who runs a synchronised swimming club in her home town of Osaka, said she had "no idea on her mind" about her future national coaching job.

Asked what she would do if China ask her again to coach them for next year's world championships in Shanghai, she replied: "I will think about it if and when they do."