Jan 14, 2014 04:18 PM

Poliana Okimoto is chosen open water swimmer of the year by FINA

Brazilian swimmer chosen through vote that involved 674 members of the International Swimming Federation

Brazilian swimmer Poliana Okimoto was voted a ‘FINA Athlete of the Year’. The vote was organised by the 'FINA Aquatics World Magazine’, official magazine of the water sports’ main governing body, which involved 674 members of the International Swimming Federation, such as directors from affiliated countries, members of committees and commissions, the press and sponsors.

Poliana won the world title in the 10km open water race (Olympic event) in Barcelona. In addition, she scooped up the silver medal in the 5km open water race and the bronze in the team event. She was chosen athlete of the year by the Brazilian Olympic Committee in the Brazil Olympic Award, the most important prize given out in national sport. She was also chosen athlete of the year by the traditional magazine 'Swimming World'. In July, at the FINA World Championships, Brazil won its first open water marathon title.

Satiro Sodré/SSPress

FINA’s election crowns an unforgettable season for Poliana Okimoto, who in 2013 came home with three medals won at the World Championships in Barcelona

In the men’s, the open water swimmer of the year was Thomaz Lurz from Germany, who won the 25km and team events in Barcelona, also clinching the silver in the 10km and bronze in the 5km. Lurz also won the 2013 World Cup.

In the other sports, Ryan Lochte from the USA was chosen swimmer of the year (three gold medals and a silver in Barcelona) and so was his compatriot Katie Ledechy (world champion and world record breaker in the 400m and 800m freestyle, and world champion in the 1500m freestyle and the 4x200m freestyle relay). In diving, Chong He for the men and Zi he for the women, both from China, were selected as athletes of the year, after winning the 3m springboard events. High divers Orlando Duque from Colombia and Cesilie Carlton from the USA were also selected, after winning the world title for the first time.

In water polo, Denes Varga from Hungary (champion in Barcelona and silver in the World League) and Spaniard Jennifer Pareja (champion in Barcelona) were selected. Synchronised swimmer Svetlana Romashina from Russida, who won four gold medals in Spain (solo free, solo technical, duet free and duet technical) was also chosen athlete of the year.

Source: Brazilian Confederation of Water Sports (CBDA)