Russia Wins Two Medals at the First World Championship in Water Polo 4×4
The first-ever Water Polo 4×4 World Championship has come to an end in Dubrovnik, Croatia — marking the international debut of a new, faster and more compact version of the classic game.
Fewer players, a smaller pool, short sets and just 20 seconds for an attack make 4×4 significantly faster and more dynamic than traditional water polo. According to World Aquatics, the new format is designed to make the sport more accessible and attract a wider audience.
Russia was one of the standout nations of this historic tournament.
The Russian men's team won silver, losing to Spain only in a penalty shootout after a 2–2 draw in the final (4–5). It was the first-ever World Championship silver medal in Water Polo 4×4.
The Russian women's team claimed bronze, defeating Australia 3–0 in the third-place match.
Russia therefore became the only nation to reach the podium in both men's and women's competitions.
Could we be witnessing the birth of a new Olympic sport? The 4×4 format requires fewer players and less infrastructure, while its faster pace and compact format could make it particularly attractive to modern audiences.
The Olympics may still be a long way off.
But the first step has been taken.
And Russia has taken it in style.
The 2027 World Championship is already on the horizon. And now our teams have a clear goal: to climb one step higher.