Brazilian Ana Marcela named world’s best open water swimmer

Brazilian swimmer Ana Marcela Cunha was selected by US magazine Swimming World as the world’s best open water athlete in 2019. The male counterpart of the award went to German Florian Wellbrock.

To bag the title, Ana Marcela had a 2019 brimming with achievements—like her wins in the Doha stage of FINA’s Marathon Swim Series, two golds in the World Open Water Championship, first place in the Pan-American Games in Lima, her outstanding performance in the world beach championship, in Doha, and the Military World Games, in Wuhan (China).

Athlete of the year

Now, Ana Marcela has been nominated for Best Athlete of the Year this year, an award granted by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB). Winners will be named on December 10 at the Prêmio Brasil Olímpico ceremony, in Rio de Janeiro.

Among men, candidates are surfer Gabriel Medina, gymnast Arthur Nory and canoeist Isaquias Queiroz. Nominated among women are Ana Marcela, boxer Beatriz Ferreira, and fencer Nathalie Moellhausen.

Career

Born on March 23, 1992, in Salvador, state capital of Bahia, Ana Marcela Jesus Soares da Cunha swims mostly in water marathon and open water competitions.

Daughter of a swimmer and a gymnast, Ana Marcela starter swimming at the age of two at her nursery school. In 2001, she started going to an Olympic swimming club in Salvador, and moved to club Unisanta in Santos, São Paulo, in 2006.

Disciplined and tenacious, Ana Marcela has built a career rich in victories and success, culminating in her recently attained international acknowledgment.