Unbeatable Ishchenko wins synchro technical duets

Shanghai: Russia`s Natalia Ishchenko scooped her 12th world championships gold medal as she combined with Svetlana Romashina to win the synchronised swimming duets technical competition on Monday.

The 25-year-old Ishchenko, who won her third successive solo technical gold on Sunday, dazzled to an upbeat jungle-themed routine with heavy drum rhythms and animal calls to help score 98.20 points, which brought an audible gasp from the small crowd that bounced around the Oriental Sports Centre. China`s Huang Xuechen, who clinched silver behind Ishchenko in the solo competition, was second with Liu Ou on 96.50. Spain`s Andrea Fuentes won her second bronze of the championships after she and Ona Carbonell combined to a techno pop version of the "Crazy Frog" to score 95.40 points. Ishchenko said she and Romashina would continue to work together at the London Olympics next year. "We will participate in the Olympic Games. We will work but we can`t say the goal," Ishchenko told reporters."I have no secret to maintain the top position (except for) our coach plus hard working, and I like the sport." Liu, who admitted to nerves before the final, said they were now going to target the Russian duo next year. "Technical duets commands highly on details, and the execution matters," she said. "We poured a lot of energy to our training, (but) our goal is Russia. I think we can exceed them some day." Bureau Report