2015 Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year – Ana Marcela Cunha
At the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona, Brazilian open water star Ana Marcela Cunha brought home a silver in the 10 km event and a bronze in the 5 km event. After missing out on the 2012 Olympics, Cunha made sure she made her mark in 2015, improving on her 2013 results and earning a spot on the 2016 Brazilian Olympic team.
In Kazan Cunha won the 25 km, collected a silver in the team event and a bronze in the 10 km. Her medal swim in the 10 km secured her participation in the event in Rio.
Her 5th, 6th, and 7th career World Championship medals in 2015 gives her more than any other South American swimmer in history and more than any other Brazilian female athlete in any Olympic sport.
Yesterday Cunha was named the 2015 Brazilian Athlete of the Year.
Honourable Mention:
- Sharon van Rouwendaal
Courtesy of Peter Sukenik/www.petersukenik.com
– Dutch swimmer Sharon van Rouwendaal won the 2014 Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year Swammy award for her outstanding performances at the European Championships. van Rouwendaal had another great year in 2015 winning a silver in the 10 km, bronze in the team event and finishing fourth in the 5 km in Kazan.
