One of the youngest competitors were the “Mermaid Twins” from Japan in the 20-29 age group. It is the first World Masters competition for 25-year-old Maya and Saya Kimura; they took part in the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome with Japan's national team in the team and combination events. For competitors who are no stranger to the podium, the gold was an easy task in Riccione. “We love Italy!”, the twins said in unison, showing their nails painted in colours of the host's national flag.
“Before the start, I was a little bit nervous and worried”, Stefania Tudini, Chairwoman of the FINA Technical Synchronised Swimming Committee, admitted. "It was a big work, but we are very satisfied with the result”, she continued. “We got in touch with persons of different cultures and different stories and I think this is the strength and power of the Masters movement”, she concluded.