Brazil held their World Championship Open Water qualifier this morning at Lake Itaipu in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná. The top two finishers in both the men’s and women’s event would be named to the Worlds team.
The women’s event saw a big surprise, as 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Poliana Okimoto missed out on the team with a 3rd place finish. Ana Marcela Cunha took the win by just a tenth of a second over Viviane Jungblut, with Okimoto four seconds back.
Cunha has six World Championship medals to her name, including two gold in the 25 KM Marathon event in both 2011 and 2015. Jungblut, on the other hand, will compete in the first World Championship of her career. She won a bronze medal at the 2014 Junior Worlds in the team event.
On the men’s side, Fernando Ponte took the win by three seconds over Allan do Carmo. After sitting out of the Maria Lenk Trophy to focus specifically on this event, Ponte will compete in his first World Championship. Do Karmo has two World medals, both in team events from 2015 (silver) and 2013 (bronze).
Victor Colonese took 3rd, seven seconds back of Ponte.
Results courtesy of Alex Pussieldi for Best Swimming.
