Brazil's synchronised swimming team watches a video during a training session at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 20, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Despite the sport's lack of prominence in Brazil, both partners, who began training together eight years ago, said they were hooked once they first tried it as young teens.

"I was already a good swimmer and felt at home in the water, but this was even more exciting - the music, the aesthetics," Borges said.

The aesthetics involve something that would seem odd in other sports: gelatin. Besides heavy makeup that will not wash off in the pool, the athletes baste their hair with the edible powder and warm water to affix their hairdos.

Everything else, though, is in constant motion.

No matter how high they climb in the rankings, the women hope other young Brazilians will follow in their wake.

"I love this sport," Borges said, "and hope that others will, too."