Artistic swimming is a demanding sport that not only requires extreme strength and agility, but also breath-taking artistry and intense dedication. For seventh grader Julia Li, it gives her an opportunity to showcase her talents and passion. Li shared her recent experiences at the 2024 PanAm Artistic Swimming Championships in Lima, Peru, where she brought home a silver medal.
The PanAmerican Games is an intercontinental sports competition between North and South America. This year’s Youth Artistic Swimming Championships were held in Lima where Li made her international debut competing against athletes from over 12 different countries and placing second in the 12-and-under figures event.
After qualifying for the games at the 2024 US Youth National Championships, Li was incredibly excited but nervous for her first international competition. Before the event, she followed her pre-game routine: applying Knox (a gelatin that creates waterproof hairstyles) as early as 3:30 am, swimming laps to warm up, and practicing her routine.
“Before I compete, I’m really nervous, but once I’m in the water my routine seems to fly by,” she said, reflecting on the remarkable performance that earned her a spot on the podium.
Li, a member of the La Mirada Aquabelles, began artistic swimming two and a half years ago in New Jersey after being inspired by the graceful swimmers she saw at swim practice. Although her journey started with competitive swimming, the allure of artistic swimming led her to a sport that combined athleticism with creativity.
For someone so early in her career, Li’s list of accolades is extensive, including top placements at the 2024 Junior Olympics in Oregon. Yet, behind every graceful and effortless routine, is an intense and vigorous training process. Li spends 4-8 hours a day, five days a week at the pool.
“Some practices are hard, but there are fun days too, where we do relays and compete against each other. I get to see my friends every day, and I love to learn new moves, which helps.”Li adds.
Behind every graceful and effortless routine, is an intense and vigorous training process. Li spends 4-8 hours a day, five days a week at the pool.
Li recognizes that practice pushes her to her fullest potential, and advises others not to give up. Consistency has helped Li build endurance against one of her biggest challenges: staying underwater for so long. “If you practice every day, then it actually gets better and better. In the beginning, I was dying, and I might still be, but it’s not as bad!”
As the 2024 season has come to an end and she prepares for the next, Li hopes to qualify for the U.S.A Youth Artistic Swimming National Team and compete at the Youth Artistic Swimming World Cup. In the future, Li plans to continue her artistic swimming career into college at Stanford University, and hopes to make the U.S national and Olympic teams. While she knows the journey will be difficult, Li is ready to face sacrifice and resilience to turn these dreams into reality.
