Ana Marcela Cunha honoured by IMSHOF
The International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) has announced its first 2019 honouree, Brazilian open water star Ana Marcela Cunha. IMSHOF recognises the achievements of marathon swimmers and contributors throughout the world.
Ana Marcela Cunha won a total of six marathon solo medals at the FINA World Swimming Championships: three golds at 25 km in 2011, 2015 and 2017; one silver at 10 km in 2013 and two bronzes at 10 km in 2015 and 2017. She also won an incredible 42 medals at FINA World Series events.
Ana continues as a dominant swimmer, at all distances, in 11 years of FINA elite racing. Her overall awards include: best female open water swimmer in 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2017; World Circuit 10 km Champion in 2010, 2012 and 2014 and World Circuit 25 km Champion in 2011, 2015 and 2017.
In 2014, Ana set the female record for the Capri Napoli (36km) swim at 6 hours, 24 minutes and 47 seconds. No other female swim time comes within 5 minutes of her record.
In the Olympics she placed 10th in 2016 and 5th in 2008. Ana continues to train for the next Olympics. While her induction is based on her solo marathon career (defined as 10km and above) she also proudly won four other medals at the FINA World Championship (5km and relay).
Jonathan Cowie
Jonathan is a year-round skins swimmer with a particular love of very cold water. He has competed in ice swimming competitions around the world. He is a qualified open water coach with a particular love of introducing new swimmers to the open water.
