We’re only a few weeks away from the first World Cup of the season (hooray!), which will finally kick off the international calendar. In the meantime, January brought some off-deck action, with some coaching and routine news, a notable retirement, awards season still rolling, and a few more updates. Here’s what you may have missed.

Coaching and Routine Updates from the Russian Federation

• It’s official: Svetlana Romashina was confirmed as head coach of the Russian national team by the Russian Ministry of Sport. As we already knew, Romashina replaces Tatiana Pokrovskaya, who has led the national team since 1997.
• Romashina told Match TV that Tatiana Danchenko and Gana Maksimova will remain the senior coaches of the duet and mixed duet, respectively. The team’s coaching staff will still include Elena Gryzunova and Ekaterina Piskareva, who were part of Pokrovskaya’s staff, as well. However, two new coaches will also join the senior team: Daria Alexandrova and 2020 Olympic Champion Marina Golyadkina. Both were working with the junior team in the past.
• On top of that, Romashina also revealed that two new team routines have been practically completed, and they are moving on to the third. Promising, as the senior team hasn’t performed a free team routine, whether internationally or domestically, since 2022.
• The duet squad is expected to compete at the first World Cup leg in Colombia in less than two weeks. Mayya Doroshko and four-time World Junior Champion Elizaveta Minaeva will swim in the technical duet event, while Doroshko will pair up with newcomer Aleksandra Shmidt for the free duet.

 

Other Coaching Happenings

• The Hungarian Synchronized Swimming Association approved the appointment of Petra Arkovics as Junior National Team Leader and Maryna Aleksiiva as Junior National Team Coach for the 2026 season. Arkovic, originally from Hungary, most recently coached in South Korea before having to return home for personal reasons. Aleksiiva brings major experience as a two-time Olympian for Ukraine, Tokyo bronze medalist, and three-time World Champion. They will prepare the team for the World Junior Championships held right on home turf in Budapest next August.

New Routines Ahead

• You know that Ted Lasso chant: “He’s here, he’s there, he’s every-f@cking-where, Roy Kent!”? Because that is exactly what plays in my head every single time Mayuko Fujiki appears in a new collaboration in a new country. This time, the former head coach of Spain was in Türkiye, working with World Youth silver medalist Selin Hurmeric on her new technical solo choreography. She’s here, she’s there, she’s everywhere! (Also, do yourself a favor and watch that show).
• World Champion Lilou Lluis of Spain unveiled she, along with Iris Tio and Txell Ferré, are working on a new technical duet choreography. The routine is set to classical music and will be unveiled at the Pontevedra World Cup in May.

Retirement

• Paris Olympic bronze medalist and two-time Olympian Blanca Toledano of Spain has officially announced her retirement from artistic swimming, although she will remain with the sport and the national team in a different capacity. At 25, Toledano retires after nearly nine years on the senior national team, competing in two Olympic Games, five World Championships and four European Championships. A World and European Champion, she will now remain with the team as an assistant coach on Andrea Fuentes’ staff.

Awards Seasons Continues

• Iris Tió Casas and Dennis Gonzalez Boneu of Spain were voted European Aquatics Athletes of the Year for artistic swimmming in 2025.
• Iris Tió was also won the award of Best Catalan Athlete of 2025, while Andrea Fuentes earned the Best Catalan Coach Award.
• Jasmine Verbena, two-time winner of the Games of the Small States of Europe, was named Athlete of the Year at the San Marino Sport Awards.

Coming to your bookshelves

• Andrea Fuentes, head coach of the Spanish national team, has written a book: “Mentalidad, propósito, pasión”. The book is in Spanish for now, but it translates as, “Mindset, purpose, passion: How to achieve your goals while enjoying the process.” It is now available for pre-sale (please support your local bookstores), and meanwhile, I shall be hoping and waiting for an English translation. 

Budapest 2027

• World Aquatics has announced the competition schedule for the 2027 World Championships, set in Budapest from June 26 to July 18. Artistic swimming events will occur from July 10 – 17 in the Duna Arena pool.

 

ARTICLE BY CHRISTINA MARMET

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