Performing like Phenix, Chinese swimmers impressed the audience and judges to be crowned in the team event of synchronized swimming at the 15th Asian Games on Saturday. It was the one hundredth Asiad gold taken by the Chinese delegation in Doha.

After taking a lead in the technical part in the morning, China showed consistence and difficulty in the free routine with a total of 96.584 points.

Japan took the silver for the second time in 96.084 after they finished behind China in duet on Friday. DPR Korea came to third with 86.500.

Zhang Xiaohuan, a swimmer from China, said:" We have been practicing the routine for one year. We were boosted by the duet victory last night. We did the lift very well. Our strengths were gathered on the same point at the same time. We gave out all of gust tonight! "

"It is the first time we defeated Japan. Now we feel more confident to get better results in world-level competitions since we have been winning the judges' recognition in recent years," Zhang added.

Masako Tachibana of Japan said :"Very regrettable. I think we should seek further to express what is characteristically good in Japan. Our aim is to become the best in the world."

The Japanese have won every gold medal since synchronized swimming was introduced to the Asian Games in 1994 in Hiroshima, Japan. In a new development at Doha 2006, the team event replaces the solo in the competition schedule as China swept two gold medals decided in the duet and team.

(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2006)