Gold medalist Aleksandra Zavialova (C) of Russia, silver medalist He Zhien (L) of China and bronze medalist Daniela Suarez Fernandez of Spain pose for a photo during the awarding ceremony for the Women's Solo Technical Event of the World Aquatics Junior Artistic Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 12, 2026. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
BUDAPEST, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Russia swept all three gold medals and China claimed two silvers on the opening day of the 2026 World Aquatics Junior Artistic Swimming Championships in Budapest on Wednesday.
Performing to the theme "In the Mist," China's He Zhien scored 241.5683 points to take silver in women's solo technical. Aleksandra Zavialova of Russia won with 251.9833, while Spain's Daniela Suarez Fernandez took bronze.
Russia's Zakhar Trofimov won the men's solo technical title, with Spain's Eneko Sanchez Aguilar and Kazakhstan's Viktor Druzin taking silver and bronze respectively.
China's 16-year-old Chen Keyu finished ninth with 205.7751 points. He made a minor error in a leg combination, which resulted in the element being downgraded to its base difficulty.
"Today was my first competition and I was a little nervous," Chen said. "I will learn from it and keep working hard in the upcoming three team events and mixed duet technical event."
In team technical, Chen and seven female teammates delivered a steady performance and finished second with 283.0642 points. Russia claimed the title with 290.1267, while Spain took bronze.
The World Aquatics Junior Artistic Swimming Championships is held from August 12 to 16, featuring 11 events. Nearly 300 athletes from more than 35 countries and regions take part in the competition, with China sending a 14-member squad to compete in all events. ■
Gold medalist Aleksandra Zavialova (C) of Russia, silver medalist He Zhien (L) of China and bronze medalist Daniela Suarez Fernandez of Spain pose for a photo during the awarding ceremony for the Women's Solo Technical Event of the World Aquatics Junior Artistic Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 12, 2026. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Daniela Suarez Fernandez of Spain performs during the Women's Solo Technical Final of the World Aquatics Junior Artistic Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 12, 2026. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
He Zhien of China performs during the Women's Solo Technical Final of the World Aquatics Junior Artistic Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 12, 2026. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
