Ana Marcela Cunha

Ana Marcela Cunha is an Olympic gold medalist and multi-time World Champion in open water swimming, recognized for her consistent performance and numerous achievements in the sport. After securing two gold medals in the 5 km and 10 km marathons at the 2006 South American Games in Buenos Aires, Ana Marcela Cunha went on to establish herself as one of the most dominant open water swimmers in history. Her early career saw her represent Brazil at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, where she finished fifth in the inaugural women’s 10 km open water marathon, making her the youngest swimmer in the event. This set the foundation for a career marked by consistent competitive presence and significant victories.

In 2017, she earned two bronze medals in the 5 km and 10 km marathons, alongside a gold medal in the 25 km marathon. More recently, Cunha has maintained her position at the forefront of open water swimming, demonstrating her adaptability and skill across various distances. In 2019, she claimed a gold medal in the women’s marathon 10 km at the Pan American Games and another gold in the women’s open water 5 km at the ANOC World Beach Games. Her dominance continued into the 2022 World Aquatics Championships, where she secured a gold medal in the Women’s 5 km open water, a bronze medal in the Women’s 10 km, and another gold medal in the Women’s 25 km, further cementing her legacy as a leading figure in aquatic sports.