Chinese swimmers perform during the ninth FINA Synchronized Swimming World Trophy at the Ying Tung ­Natatorium in Beijing on Sunday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

China dominated the ninth edition of the FINA Synchronized Swimming World Trophy over the weekend, winning four of the five events with a total of 382.6665 points at the Ying Tung ­Natatorium in Beijing.

China, whose players are all members of the Beijing synchronized swimming team, bested Russia and Canada to win the thematic team competition with 95.1664 points on Saturday before claiming the synchronized highlight routine title with 95.8335 points.

Sunday's events, which are often considered more entertaining rather than competitive, witnessed swimmers donning amusing costumes and using props, including balls and ribbons, in the pool.

Wang Jie, head coach of the Beijing team that won gold at Chinese National Games last year, said though the competition wasn't too fierce at the World Trophy, her players could learn much as they lack international experience.

"It's first international experience for most of the players," Wang said.

Fujiki Mayuko is the newly appointed head coach of the Chinese synchronized swimming national team. She got the job after renowned Japanese coach Masayo Imura left the team after the London Olympic Games in 2012. Under Imura, China won Olympic bronze in 2008 and two silvers in 2012 during her two spells with the team.

Currently the first-team squad hasn't been chosen as the whole team is undergoing a winter training session.

"We have very talented swimmers, but maybe not much experience," Mayuko told the Global Times exclusively. "Our goal is to look like a very strong team, not only beautiful or artistic."

Mayuko, who arrived in China just a week ago, said that she doesn't consider herself to be a "technical" coach, which is what her compatriot Imura was known as.

"Every coach that works with top level teams has their own very unique character, and she's a very traditional technical person," Mayuko said. "I'm not really strictly working on techniques."

She told the Global Times that she believes the Chinese national team could catch up with Russia, the reigning world champions, if her side focuses more on building their physical capabilities.

Next year's FINA World Aquatic Championships will be held in Kazan, Russia, where Mayoku said getting closer to Russia in an effort to put more pressure on them will be China's "first step."

The Kazan world championships is set to be a mixed duet synchronized swimming competition,  featuring both male and female athletes, but it seems that powerhouse China isn't yet prepared, according to Wang.

"It takes about five years to become a qualified male swimmer, but I don't think we have one right now," Wang said.

FINA President Julio Maglione said that the key to innovation in synchronized swimming is for the sport to become more popular.

He believed China will establish its reputation as an elite synchronized swimming country at the mixed event due to China's "strong" training system.

The Uruguayan also ruled out the ­rumored all-men team events.

Chinese swimmers perform during the ninth FINA Synchronized Swimming World Trophy at the Ying Tung ­Natatorium in Beijing on Sunday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Chinese swimmers perform during the ninth FINA Synchronized Swimming World Trophy at the Ying Tung ­Natatorium in Beijing on Sunday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Chinese swimmers perform during the ninth FINA Synchronized Swimming World Trophy at the Ying Tung ­Natatorium in Beijing on Sunday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT