In men's synchronized swimming, Bill May is currently the most famous figure. Now synchronous guys no longer cause smiles on the fans' faces, as it was 10-15 years ago.
A bit of history
Few people know that the appearance of Bill May in synchronized swimming is a regularity, not an exception.
Initially, it was men who were engaged in acrobatic dancing in the water and it was all called artistic swimming, and then figured.
The first competition among the stronger sex was held in Germany in 1891. Now this sport is very popular in France and America. It is especially interesting to watch the performances of mixed couples, where May is playing now.
Biography
Bill May was born in 1979. Initially, the fragile boy was given to the gymnastics section by his parents. Bill's sister was engaged in synchronized swimming. Bill May often waited for her by the pool and watched the harmonious movements of the girls.
It was then that the guy decided to try himself in a sport that was considered female. When Bill turned 15, the coach advised him to try joining the synchronized team in California. "This will increase your chances of becoming a professional and participating in official competitions," he said. And the young man left one on the other end of the country. There he lived in the family of a new teammate and improved his sports qualifications. The athlete trained for 10 hours a day, and all this was not in vain. Soon, the synchronized boy began to be looked at as a future champion and national hero.
Thorny path
In the synchronized swimming team, Bill May met his future partner Christina Underwood. Over the years of joint performances, they have become good friends.
The first major championship where Chris and Billy marked was the American Championship in 1998. The duet won gold, and they started talking about him as a promising one. The National Federation of Synchronized Swimming recognized May as the best athlete for 2 years in a row.
This was followed by a series of victories in tournaments in France, Germany, Italy. There were more than 15 of them in the athlete’s career. But May dreamed of a world championship and the Olympics.
In 2004, Bill had a chance to get to the planet's tournament in Athens. But the synchronized swimming federation did not want to change the established foundations, and May was not taken to the team.
After such disappointment, Bill decided to end his career. Together with a faithful partner, they became one of the main characters on the water of the circus Du Soleil.
Despite this, the man continued training, kept himself fit. As if he knew that in his professional career, the point has not yet been set ...
Triumphant return
At the end of 2014, a notification was sent to the ex-athlete’s email: “In May, synchronized swimming Bill May (age 35) is a legend! Therefore, the federation invites you to come back and compete in the world championship.”
May agreed. The company was made to him by the same Underwood, which, shortly before the competition, gave birth to a second child.
It was at the championship in Kazan in 2015 that the American's dream finally came true. They won a gold medal in the technical program and silver in an arbitrary.
In Budapest, Americans became the third in both programs, losing to Italians and Russians.
When asked by journalists about how many years Bill May is planning to spend more in synchronized swimming, the athlete replied that he was ready to perform at the Olympics at 50.
American May is a pioneer in men's synchronized swimming. At almost 39 years old, he looks great - muscular and fit. His programs are distinguished by power elements that cannot be called female.
According to the athlete himself, the prospects for men in this sport are huge. And they will increase as the number of professional synchronized interpreters grows.