Support The Moscow Times!

Russian Swimmer's Underwater Dances Take Over TikTok

Kristina Makushenko dedicated her TikTok account to underwater stunts. TikTok / kristinamakush95

Kristina Makushenko, a synchronized swimming champion from Russia, has been making waves on TikTok by performing jaw-dropping underwater routines to popular songs.

The swimmer, who is from Moscow and started competing in synchronized swimming at age nine, has won gold four times at world championships and twice at European championships.

Since retiring from professional synchronized swimming, Makushenko moved to Miami and started working as a coach. She also launched a TikTok, where she's gone viral for dancing to Beyonce, Justin Bieber and more — all while holding her breath underwater.

"I just love how synchronized swimming embodies the highest level of artistry and fluidity and how it allows you to combine your emotions with music," she has said.

Here's a look at some of her top clips:

Makushenko re-creates Michael Jackson's iconic moonwalk underwater. 

@kristimakush95

Underwater moonwalk 🌙 ##moonwalk ##michaeljackson ##underwater ##underwaterdance ##underwatertiktok

♬ Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

Clocks have never looked more graceful. 

@kristimakush95

Whole 360 😱 ⏰ ##clockchallenge ##underwater ##underwatertiktok ##underwaterdance ##artisticswimming

♬ wasted potential - chillytunees

Makushenko pays her respects to Beyonce's Super Bowl performance by walking to a beat in a 360-degree circle. In Heels. Underwater. 

@kristimakush95

Another sassy 360* walk 💃🏼👜👠 ##underwater ##underwaterdance ##walking ##beyoncechallenge ##walk

♬ End of Time 2k15 Super Bowl by Beyoncé - Frankie Silva

How she's able to stay on beat while underwater remains a mystery.

@kristimakush95

Who is ready to exit 2020?🙋🏼‍♀️ @blackeyedpeas ##whereisthelove ##underwater ##underwatertiktok ##underwatertiktok ##blackeyedpeas ##artisticswimming

♬ Where Is The Love? - The Black Eyed Peas

Read more