Recent attempts to revive synchronised swimming in Malta after the initial platform was laid in the eighties under the aegis of the ASA, have had a successful outcome over the past couple of years.

The sport has had a new lease of life under the direction of coach Saho Harada and her team of instructors.

Training of youngsters has been in full swing and exhibition sessions have also been held regularly lately.

Sizeable crowds have had the opportunity to watch the skills of several young girls performing with admirable grace and adroitness at the National Pool and the Neptunes WPSC fresh water pool, the natural ambience of this eye-catching sport.

A significant breakthrough was the recent success of a team of eight girls under the age of 11 when they took part in the aptly named ‘Little Frogs’ international competition in Bratislava, Slovakia, which comprised about200 young participants from five countries.

The girls in the Maltese team were Kristina Camenzuli, Hayley Camilleri, Neeve Cauchi, Maya Galea, Vanessa Mairangas, Victoria Pace, Hanna Rizzo and Charlotte Spencer

The excellent routine performances were crowned by the great achievement of Mairangas who won the individual gold medal when finishing first overall.

She was followed by Camilleri, winner of the bronze medal, with Cauchi, Spencer and Pace receiving a certificate of merit after finishing fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

The team was also involved in a very lively routine performance which was very well received by the judges and spectators.

On arrival, the coach was full of praise for the young girls.

“It was a great experience for the girls and very satisfying for the instructors as well,” Harada told Times of Malta.

“We gave them very intensive training and they responded admirably and with great dedication. I am very proud of them.”

Indeed, Bratislava is a good point of reference for Maltese synchro swimming and a springboard for further progress in the most cinderella of water sport disciplines.