Singapore's artistic swimmers eye Asian Games medal following new scoring system

The artistic swimming team of Singapore. Photo by Singapore Aquatics

The team will compete in the duet technical, duet free, team free, team technical, and acrobatic events, with only three members remaining from the team that debuted at the 2018 Jakarta Games.

Their target this year is to crack the top six, an improvement over their seventh place five years ago and bring home the nation's first-ever medal for the sport at the Asian Games.

Members of the team told the Strait Times they think the new scoring system, implemented to make the judging process more objective, can help them achieve their targets.

Under the previous system, 15 judges scored three components with different percentages. They did not know what the teams would be doing in their routines.

With the new system, 10 judges will rate artistic impression and execution components based on what the teams submit before each routine. A technical control group will spot errors and make deductions.

The 2023 Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8.

The tournament also serves as an Olympic qualifier, with the highest-ranked national Olympic committee earning a coveted quota spot.