Historic Victory for Teenager at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup
At just 19 years old, Tomblin elevated himself to new heights as he celebrated his first-ever podium finish at a global event by being lifted into the air by his teammates after securing a gold medal.
Strong Competition at Piscine Georges Vallerey
At the renowned Piscine Georges Vallerey in Paris, world champion Eduard Kim (KAZ) finished in second place, trailing Tomblin. Completing the top three was Jordi Caceres Inglesias (ESP), contributing to an outstanding day for the Spanish team that began with Iris Tio Casas, an Olympic bronze medallist, clinching victory in the opening event of the competition.
Women’s Duet Technical Success
The standout performances continued, with Texel Ferre Gaset and Lilou Lluis Valette triumphing in the Women’s Duet Technical category, showcasing their remarkable skills.
Kazakhstan Claims Team Free Title
The opening day culminated with Kazakhstan capturing the Team Free title, scoring 167.6538, significantly ahead of Czechia, which finished with a total of 129.150.
Impressive Performances from Male Competitors
The competition witnessed a nine-member lineup, reflecting the rising popularity and strength in men’s artistic swimming. Spectators enjoyed an array of stunning performances, with renowned World and European champion Dennis Gonzalez Boneu (ESP) surprisingly finishing in fifth place.
Tomblin Shines with Outstanding Routine
Showing commendable depth, Caceres Inglesias achieved bronze with an overall score of 213.5992, while Kim’s silver score of 213.8167 also underscored the fierce competition. Tomblin, representing Great Britain, achieved a well-deserved gold with a score of 214.3966, featuring a difficulty score of 27.5000 for his routine set to “The 5th” by David Garrett.
Building a Strong Future for Great Britain in Artistic Swimming
Tomblin expressed his disbelief, stating, “I totally didn’t expect it; we just came here to test our routines, so I can’t really believe it.” He credited the achievements of teammates Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe for inspiring new athletes in Great Britain, saying, “They’ve made us realise that Great Britain is actually quite good at this sport, and that has given us a lot of confidence.”
Opportunities for New Partnerships in Women’s Duet Technical
With the absence of Olympic medal-winning duets from China, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, along with Austria’s former world champion siblings, the Women’s Duet Technical event provided a platform for emerging pairs to showcase their talent. Ferre Gaset and Lluis Valette, under the guidance of Spain’s new head coach Andrea Fuentes, delivered a captivating routine themed around “former lovers,” set to Elle King’s “Ex’s and Oh’s.” They earned a combined score of 281.7383, including a difficulty score of 33.0000.
Team Spirit and Ambition
“It means a lot for us,” remarked Ferre Gaset. “All the team are very excited and we are doing a great job all together. I think this year we are united, and we will accomplish great things again.”
Japan and France Make Their Mark
Japan’s new duet pairing, Moka Fujii and Moe Higa, secured silver with a score of 265.4225, while French duo Romane Lunel and Anastasia Bayandina thrilled the home crowd by winning bronze with a score of 264.8292. Bayandina commented, “This is a great start at home, and we’re really grateful to perform a routine similar to the Olympics.”
Looking Ahead
The second day of the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup in Paris promises more excitement, featuring the Women’s Duet Free, Mixed Duet Technical, and Team Technical events at the Piscine Georges Vallerey.
