Nothing Amiss For Maltsev

Russian happy at last, winning solo technical after skipping three editions and Paris 2024

- Kimberly Kwek

The pulsating rhythm of Billy Idol's Rebel Yell set the tone for a memorable return to the world stage for Russian artistic swimmer Aleksandr Maltsev on July 19.

Showing little signs of ring rust, the 30-year-old marked his comeback after three years in the international wilderness with a gold in the men's solo technical at the World Aquatics Championships.

Competing in his first championships since 2019, Maltsev scored 251.7133 points to clinch his first individual title at the meet under a neutral flag.

He was unable to compete at the previous three editions due to World Aquatics' suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes following his country's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Spain's Dennis Gonzalez Boneu (241.1667) and Mexico's Diego Villalobos Carrillo (238.1600) finished second and third respectively.

Maltsev's gold at the WCH Arena takes his world championship medal tally to five, adding to his previous successes in the mixed duet free and mixed duet technical.

He said: "It was sad that I couldn't compete at the (previous) world championships but now... I'm very happy that I can win the gold medal in solo."