Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi of the People’s Republic of China earned their fourth gold medal in Doha and 10th artistic swimming world title overall after winning a tight Women Duet Free final.

A hair’s breadth separated the top two as Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi edged Dutch pair Bregje de Brouwer and Noortje de Brouwer in an absorbing battle of the two twins at the World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024.

The de Brouwer twins missed out on the title by a mere 0.2750 as the Wang sisters completed a duet double in the Qatari capital, while Great Britain’s Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe achieved bronze.

Twins Take Title Tally to Ten

It has been an incredible World Championships for the Wang twins having topped the podium in both the Women Duet Technical and Women Duet Free as well as helping China to Mixed Team Acrobatic Routine and Mixed Team Technical titles.

At Fukuoka 2023, the Chinese duo picked up one medal from the duet competitions courtesy of a silver in the Duet Free but they have been back to their very best at the Aspire Dome.

Performing to their routine, called “Cheetah”, the Wang siblings combined rapid speed with stunning control and fluidity in their movements, demonstrating great musicality throughout to emerge victorious.

They received 158.0229 for elements and 92.7500 for artistic impression to a degree of difficulty of 42.150 for a winning score of 250.7729.

It takes their overall world title tally to 10 stretching back to when they won Team Free Combination bronze at Budapest 2017.

“I feel so excited about what we achieved here,” said Wang Liuyi.“To win four out of four gold medals can’t be easy. This achievement was based on our hard training on every single day and also thanks to our great team, which inspired us to show our best version."

“We had won four straight gold medals in Budapest 2022, too, so we knew that we could do it again. This time our main goal was to also combine it with a great performance in each event.” 

Dutch Duo Delight to Earn Silver

There was unfinished business for the de Brouwer sisters having finished one place short of a medal in the Women Duet Technical.

The European Games bronze medallist produced excellent artistry in their creative “Van Gogh” choreography, carving out fantastic shapes in the water with amazing angles and superb synchronization.

They scored 250.4979, including 159.9479 for elements and 90.5500 for artistic impression to a degree of difficulty of 43.700.

It looked like it might be enough for victory only for the Wang twins to triumph by the narrowest of margins.

“We saw a big improvement since Fukuoka,” said Bregje de Brouwer.

“We were fourth in the Duet Technical final the other day and very close to a medal, so this is a perfect ending for us. It definitely is the best day of our sporting career up till now, it’s a super special moment.”

Another Medal For British Pair

After winning silver behind the Wang sisters in the Women Duet Technical, Shortman and Thorpe had a spring in their step as they dived into the water.

The British pair put together a great interpretation of the theme “Rising Pheonix” that represented the rebirth of the sport following the introduction of the new scoring system.

Demonstrating excellent flexibility and height out of the water, Shortman and Thorpe performed a wonderful routine that impressed the judges.

They sealed a podium spot with a score of 247.2626, including 158.0126 for elements and 89.2500 for artistic impression to a difficulty level of 44.950.

“Honestly, it's just amazing,” said Shortman. “I can't even put it into words."

Alisa Ozhogina Ozhogin and Iris Tio Casas of Spain scored 243.9918 for fourth, while Audrey Lamothe and Jacqueline Simoneau of Canada earned 239.0563 for fifth.