nieuws - internationaal

Congratulation Class of 2025 Inductee: Jorge “Coco” Villegas Pérez, Honor Swimmer, México

Announced to make his son's birthday today - even more special!

Jorge “Coco” Villegas Pérez coached open water swimmers starting in 1986 and pool swimmers since 1982. He was the Mexican National Coach for the Olympics, Pan Pacific Games, Latin Cup, Central American Games and FINA World Championships (1991 Perth, Australia - as both a pool and open water coach).

Congratulations Class pf 2025: Aurélie Muller, Honor Swimmer, France

Aurélie Muller won two Majors: FINA World Championship 10 km: in 2015 and 2017. She bested 6 other IMSHOF Honorees in these races. She raced at the elite level for over 15 years in more than 20 countries and took a podium position in 33% of the 27 top races she entered.

Welcome to Honor Swimmer Stève Stievenart from France. He, and his family, will have a short trip to Jersey (Channel Islands) for his May 20245 Induction.

The first (and only) to complete a 3-way Catalina Channel.

Congratulations

Honoree Richard Broer of the Netherlands has been selected as the ninth recipient of the Dale Petranech Award for Services to the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF). Since 2012 Richard has been a major contributor to the IMSHOF as a member of the Executive Committee and for several years before that as a member of the Board of Directors.

Congratulations Inductee Class of 2025: Dina Levačić, Honor Swimmer, Croatia

Announcement on her proud father's birthday!

Dina Levačić set the female speed record for the Fastnet swim in 2023 (still holds in 2024). She swam her first marathon swim, Faros, at age 13, competed on the FINA Grand Prix series for 6 years and placed 3rd overall in 2016, her final season.

Forrest Nelson, Honor Swimmer, United States of America will receive from the International Swimming Hall of Fame the 2025 Irving Davids/Captain Roger W. Wheeler Memorial Award for his contribution to the administration of open water swimming.

Welcome to Class of 2025: Eddie Spelling, Honor Pilot, Great Britain

He piloted for more than 20 years across the English Channel. His success include 174 one-way solo swimmers, 1 two-way solo swimmer, and 1 four-way solo swimmer (as of 2024).

The first of the IMSHOF Class of 2025

Inductees:

Grace “Gracie” van der Byl, Honor Swimmer, United States of America

She set the overall speed crossing record for Catalina (Catalina to Mainland) in and also set overall speed

records in S.C.A.R., 8 Bridges, and Cape May plus the female speed record in Lake Memphremagog in 2014.

Welcome IMSHOF Class of 2025 Inductee:

Simone Ercoli, Honor Swimmer, Italy

He raced at the top level for 10 years in 12 countries – 6 years as the captain of the successful Italian Open Water National Team. He won a silver medal at the 2002 FINA World Championship in Sharm El Sheikh at 10 km.

The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce Nora Toledano Cadena,

of México, as this year’s recipient of the 2025 Poseidon Award.

The Poseidon Award, presented annually by the International Swimming Hall of Fame, recognizes

outstanding contributions to marathon swimming.

Effective immediately, Tsanko Tsankov is permanently banned from any future swim ratifications by the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA). This decision follows clear evidence of falsified GPS data from his September 6, 2024, Danube swim attempt, which Mr. Tsankov and his team have failed to address or explain.

De 62-jarige populistische Italiaanse politicus Grillo, die bekendstaat om zijn venijnige tirades tegen conventionele politici, zwom de zeestraat van 3 kilometer die het eiland van het vasteland scheidt, in iets meer dan een uur, ondanks regen en harde wind.

Een 21-jarige vrouw die vanaf een strand in Japan het water in was gegaan, is na 36 uur gered. Ze werd maandagavond meegesleurd door de stroming en werd woensdagochtend op 80 kilometer van de kust uit het water gehaald.

The Class of 2024 Inductions & Awards Weekend took place in Cancun, Mexico, from May 17-19, with the main dinner held on the 18th. The International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) celebrates the achievements and contributions of those who have excelled in the sport of international marathon swimming.

De Turkse marathonzwemmer Bengisu Avcı, bijgenaamd 'Ocean Girl', heeft haar poging om over het Molokai-kanaal te zwemmen stopgezet nadat ze tijdens het laatste stuk van de 45 kilometer lange race meerdere kwallenbeten had opgelopen.