USA shocked the aquascaping world in 2018 - just to put it mildly. For the first time in IAPLC history, USA cracked the coveted Top7 ranking with not only 1 but 2 scapers! How cool is that!!!!! The world #4 and #5 ranking in IAPLC 2018 has stamped a remarkable milestone in the USA aquascaping folklore and they now have the aquascaping world's attention!
Looking at the Nations Challenge's average ranking graph, the development and progress of USA in the last 5 years is nothing short of a fairy-tale. From a mere "bystander" 5 years ago with more than 600 average ranking as a country, they improved to less than 100 in average ranking for the first time in the history and come within a whisker of getting into the top10 in the country's list. This achievement is of course largely contributed by their 2 top7 scapers but credits has to give to the USA team as a whole as they produced 4 top100 scapers for the first time in IAPLC (usually only 1 or 2 or more often zero).
Aquascaping style of USA, as its ethnic background, is hugely diversified. You will see the purest of NA to the jungle or mountain or diorama or the innovative ones from this big nation, a large variety of aquascaping style is in display! This scenario also makes USA a very interesting, exciting country and one that is somewhat unpredictable, aquascapingly-speaking (this is definitely a new word). One thing we do know for sure about this country though, is the competitiveness nature of the American and with this nature, their potential is limitless, especially now that the floodgates are opened and they have the first taste of blood, they will be hungry for more.
Strength and weakness
The USA team consists of a young core of scapers. Unlike many countries ranked before or after them where there seems to be a big gap between the veterans and newcomers, USA does not seem to have this problem. All the top scapers in the team are young and hungry, they are the up and coming stars that will shines for years to come. However, with this strength also comes with a related weakness - do they have enough experience in the world stage to produce year in and year out? Are the young scapers have enough staying power in this hobby to fight in long term for their country? Only time will tell.
The 2018 results has the world questioning USA whether their achievement is genuine and sustainable or just a one-hit wonder. I guess it is now up to the American to prove it to the world that they are here to stay!
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