China\\\'s Bond girls blast to synchro gold

INCHEON, Sept 20 (AFP): Pistols drawn as if mirroring regional military tensions, China's synchronised swimmers stormed to Asian Games gold in the duet competition Saturday to the sound of a ticking bomb.
The disciplined sport with technical elements such as the "barracuda twirl" or the "porpoise twist walkout" drew an enthusiastic crowd in Games host city of Incheon.
Despite their sparkly bathing costumes and nose pegs, Sun Wenyan and Huang Xuechen struck a fierce 'Bond villain' pose and aimed imaginary revolvers before taking the plunge in the compulsory section.
Behind the electro-pop robot moves and fixed grins in the water, the music varied wildly, China's technical routine featuring samples of rifle clips being locked and ending with a "beep, beep, beep" and a bang.
Japan's Yukiko Inui and Risako Mitsui took silver, though they set pulses racing performing to pumping techno beats complete with Space Invader bleeps and whirrs.
North Korean pair Kim Jong-Hui and Ri Ji-Hyang received a rapturous reception from local fans but were edged out by Kazakh twins Alexandra and Yekaterina Nemich for the bronze medal.
Synchronised swimming is used in mass performances in North Korea to celebrate special occasions, such as the birthday of late leader Kim Jong-Il, the protagonists packed like sardines in the pool.