The ASA of Malta hosted the Artistic Swimming Open National Championships between the 6th and 9th April 2023. Iva Grincar, Artistic Swimming A Judge and World Aquatics Technical Controller, who accepted the ASA’s invitation to act as the Referee for this event, had the following comments to make:-

“This was a successful competition, and one of the first in the World which was held under the new Artistic Swimming Rules, for all categories – from U8 up to Masters. All the coaches had positive feedback to give regarding the whole competition as well as the individual discussions they had with the Technical Controllers. It was a pleasure and an honour for me to act as the Referee for this competition and look forward to more competitions of this calibre to be organised by the ASA of Malta.”

The competition boasted the participation of the National Teams of Georgia, Hungary, Thailand, Bulgaria and Malta together with 9 foreign clubs – Cercle de Natation Dudelange (LUX), Vantaan Pyorre (FIN), Fenerbahce Sports Club (TUR), Aquabetta Synchro Club (CRO), Aqualina (HUN), Sirenia SE (HUN), Boust Club (BEL), Anabilim Sport Club (TUR) and BVSC-Zuglo (HUN) and the Maltese Clubs Sirens and Synchro Knights. There was a total of 225 athletes of which 127 hailed from the foreign participants.

The competition included Figures, Solo, Duet and Mixed Duet Technical and Free events, Team Technical and Free events for Juniors, Seniors and Masters, Free Combination events for Youths and U12s as well as Acrobatic Routine events for Juniors and Seniors. The Maltese athletes held their own and won the following medals:-

 

Rita Azzopardi, ASA General Secretary, had the following comments to make:-

“This was a very challenging event to organise, especially due to the fact that World Aquatics only recently changed the rules of this sport. However, the Organising Committee, ably led by Michelle Hyubner and Hannah Preca Trapani, rose to the occasion, and despite a few hitches, were in control throughout the four days. I would like to thank Michelle, Hannah, Jeremy, Hayley, Elisa and Luke, as well as all the judges and technical controllers, and last but not least, the young athletes who acted as runners and filmed all the routines. Thanks are also due to Sirens and Synchro Knights, our two artistic swimming clubs.

I would also like to thank ProHealth for sponsoring the event and supplying everyone with La Roche-Posay Sun Block; the iCentre for supplying the ASA with tablets and a MacBook; and all  the SportMalta Staff for their collaboration. We look forward to making this an annual event. Congratulations to all the medal winners and their coaches.”