China and Japan plot end to Russia's dominance of synchronised swimming
Eight teams and 47 duet pairs will compete for two sets of medals. Competition starts on Sunday (14 August).
The reign of Natalia Ischenko and Svetlana Romashina of Russia may be under threat in Rio (Photo: Getty Images/Clive Rose)
China and Japan have emerged as major rivals to Russia's Olympic Games dominance of synchronised swimming when competition begins at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre on Sunday (14 August).
The Russian golden streak goes back to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in both team and duet events, but with eight Olympic gold medals in their collection, the pressure is on their swimmers.
The Russian team is a mix of Olympic veterans and young talent. Four of the team have competed at previous Olympic Games, while duet partners Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina have three Olympic gold medals each.
If they triumph in Rio, Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina would tie compatriot Anastasia Davydova for the biggest ever haul of gold medals in the discipline, with five each.
China celebrated its most successful Olympic Games performance at London 2012, winning a silver medal in the team event and bronze in duets.
A large part of China's breakthrough success is attributed to the legendary Japanese coach Masayo Imura, who turned to coaching the Chinese swimmers in 2006 after helping the Japanese earn eight Olympic Games medals in the sport.
While Imura returned to coaching her native team in 2014, the Chinese work ethic and perfected scouting techniques have assured the swimmers strong performances in recent international competitions, including a silver at the 2015 world championships.
Imura's absence left Japan scrambling to reach the podium four years ago. In contrast to China, London 2012 marked the worst Olympic result in the history of Japanese synchronised swimming. It was the first time that Japan failed to get a medal since the sport was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1984.
The Japanese athletes have escalated their training in the aftermath of London 2012 and brought back their head coach Imura.
Eight teams and 47 duet pairs will compete for two sets of medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
As well as the Chinese, Japanese and Russians, another face to watch out for is the popular Spanish veteran Gemma Mengual. Mengual has two Olympic silver medals and will be competing in Rio 2016 with new partner Ona Carbonell.
