Spanish swimmer Carbonell performed last out of the 13 competitors to a music track which had Mandela's speech at the 2000 Laureus World Sport Awards played over the top.

The speech proclaims: “Sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does, it speaks to youth in a language they understand, sport can create hope where once there was only despair, it is more powerful than Governments in breaking down racial barriers.”

The inspiration worked as Carbonell posted a total of 90.0730, knocking Marta Fiedina into second place.

Ukraine's Fiedina posted 89.9790 to go ahead of long time leader, Kate Shortman of Great Britain.

Shortman was third in the pool and posted 82.4228, and after watching eight competitors come and go without matching her score, she was pipped for second.

Spain were narrowly defeated in the technical duet competition on Friday afternoon.

Fiedina managed to make amends for her solo disappointment as she and her partner Anastasiya Savchuk posted a winning score of 91.0077.

The Spanish pair of Paula Ibanez and Sara Lopez finished second, while French identical twins Charlote and Laura Tremble made up the top three.

Friday's competition was concluded by the team technical event. Russia claimed victory, with hosts Spain earning another silver. Mexico rounded out the top three.