Behind the Scenes with Sony at the World Aquatics Championships 2025

Singapore is currently playing host to the prestigious World Aquatics Championships 2025, and thanks to Sony, the event’s Global Imaging Partner, I got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the cutting-edge technology and passion driving the competition.

From interacting directly with international-level elite athletes and professional imaging crew to testing professional-grade gear, the experience was nothing short of exhilarating and reminds of my days working on the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games 2014 as the head of English content then. Behind any major sporting event lies an intricate web of logistics, technology, and human effort, often unnoticed by spectators but essential to pulling off the spectacle.

One of the highlights was meeting Giorgio Minisini, a trailblazing Italian artistic swimmer and world champion. As the first male solo gold medalist in European Aquatics Championships history, Minisini shared candid insights into the glory, grit, and dedication required in synchronised swimming.

His passion was truly palpable, reminding us that behind every medal is years of unseen struggle, just like the tireless work of the event’s unsung heroes, from the camera operators capturing split-second moments to the Hawk-Eye technicians ensuring fair play and the Sony crew powering the immersive fan experience.

This technological backbone became even clearer when we spoke with Oliver Rosa, Operations Manager (South APAC) at Hawk-Eye Innovations.

He walked us through how the video replay systems, together with high-precision cameras, eliminate blind spots underwater, ensuring fair officiating while real-time data analytics enhance broadcasts.

We also got hands-on with Sony’s professional imaging equipment, with the opportunity to draw out any equipment at their sprawling depot. Testing their latest cameras and lenses used to capture split-second aquatic moments was a thrill, proving why Sony remains a leader in sports photography technology.

Earlier last week, thanks to Sony for a pair of VIP passes, my son Asher and I witnessed the Italy vs. Greece water polo match live at the OCBC Aquatic Centre. The energy was electric, especially from the Greek and Italian fan zones. The VIP lounge access was a bonus, offering a relaxed space to unwind amid the action.

Additionally, at the Sony Fan Zone, we participated in interactive activities and won a pair of socks, plus get our photos taken and sent to us digitally. Do check out the fan zone which is open to the public if you are in the area.

From meeting champions like Minisini to experiencing Hawk-Eye’s game-changing tech, this behind-the-scenes access was a rare glimpse into what makes elite sports so mesmerising.