Fukuoka, Japan, July 19, 2023: Japanese veteran Yukiko Inui produced a memorable performance to overtake the field and win the artistic swimming women solo free at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan on Wednesday evening.
The 32-year-old Inui, who had won the women solo technical on July 15, left her rivals in the shade by scoring 254.6062 points, comprised of 96.90 for artistic impression and 157.7062 for execution in a performance rated 38.95 total difficulty.
This was Japan’s fourth gold medal of the meet, with all four coming in artistic swimming, and Inui completed a double golden double after having won both events at last year’s world championships in Budapest.
Austria’s Vasiliki Alexandri was in pole position until Inui roared to the front, leaving the 25-year-old Alexandri to accept silver with a score of 229.3251 - 25.2811 points behind the Japanese champion.
Early leader Kate Shortman of Great Britain, 21, received the bronze medal with 219.9542.
Korea’s Hur Yoonseo, 17, finished sixth in the 12-strong final with a score of 186.6167.