With water as canvas and heartbreak as a conductive thread, they painted in Singapore that is already considered one of the greatest works of art ever seen in artistic swimming. To the rhythm of “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”by LED Zeppelin, the Spanish duo signed a heavenly performance that crowned world champions in the final of the free mixed duo of the Artistic Swimming World Cup.
It was a more than technical emotional exercise exercise. While most bet on routines of great difficulty, Iris and Dennis chose to excite. And what if they succeeded: his representation of a love break captivated both the jury and the public, who saw in the pool more than sport. He saw a story told with each turn, every jump, every desperate look. The decision, choreographed by, was brave: transmit more than impress. And it was precisely that artistic impression that gave them victory.
“We understand each other very well. Dennis gives everything in the water and that motivates me to give everything too. It has been a very beautiful process,” says Iris, visibly excited after the final.
With a total score of 323,8563, the Spanish duo beat the Russian couple formed by Aleksandr Maltsev and Olesia Platonova, who stayed at 323,4438. Although the Russians left with greater technical difficulty, 47,0500 compared to the 43,3500 of the Spaniards, the artistic execution of Tió and González made the difference: 188,7500 points compared to 174,8500 of their rivals.
The routine began with two risky acrobatics, resolved with ease: a jump with iris supported on her partner and an additional somersault that marked the tone of the exercise. From there, a succession of high -speed hybrids, dramatic gestures and perfect synchronization led to such an emotional as a technical end: a feet clash full of symbolism closed an interpretation that will be difficult to forget.
“There are many hours of work, but this gold represents all that effort that is not seen,” says Dennis. “We have done more evidence than many others, and that has made us stronger.”
The podium was completed by the British couple formed by Isabelle Thorpe and Ranjuo Tomblin, with 322,0583 points. Despite having presented the most difficult routine of the competition, with 50,4750 starting points, they could not match the expressive force of the Spaniards or the consistency of the Russians.
This medal means not only the third gold for the Spanish delegation in this World Cup, after the triumphs in only free and free female duo, but also the confirmation of a definitive quality jump. With eight medals, signing his best historical performance in a world swimming world championship.
Beyond the numbers, what was achieved by Iris tió and Dennis González transcends. They have rewritten what it means to compete in this discipline. Andrea Fuentes warned it before the tournament: “Our free mixed duo has been valued as one of the best in history.” Today, Singapore is confirmed. And gold too.
