Imura, the "godmother" of the Japanese synchronized swimming signed a contract with the Chinese team after the Doha Asian Games where China unheraldedly dethroned long-time Asian No. 1 Japan in both team and duet events.

"China doesn't have a history of synchronized swimming, it means I can help the Chinese make new history. Today is the first day of this history," said Imura in the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.

Leading her new charges to the FINA World Championships for their first task together, Imura was extremely satisfied with the newly Asian champions Jiang Tingting and Jiang Wenwen's performance in the duet technical preliminary on Saturday.

"They practice very hard and they are amazing," said Imura.

She even thought the judges were a little bit over strict to the 20-year-old Chinese twins, who finished fourth with 96.333 points.

"They should have earned a higher score," she said.

Even though, Imura is confident to take the Chinese team into a bright future.

I will show you how China is improving and can become powerful at this Championships," she said. "They have the ability to chase Japan."

Japan was ranked second in both the duet technical preliminary and free combination routine preliminary on Saturday.

Imura believed Japan will keep winning medals for a long time, but she also assured, "China has the ability to chase Japan."