Marcio Junqueira Completes Travessia do Leme ao Pontal
Courtesy of Adherbal de Oliveira, Leme to Pontal Swimming Association, Brazil. On January 8th at near midnight, Marcio Santos Junqueira started the 35 km Travessia do Leme ao Pontal. He swam along the coast of Rio de Janeiro, passing Sugar Loaf, the Christ the Redeemer statue, Cagarras Archipelago, Arpoador, and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema facing currents, winds, and the presence of jellyfish.
Past midnight and for the next two hours, he swam in place in the difficult currents of Barra da Tijuca beach.
“But he was brave and had the mental and physical strength to overcome the adversities and complete the challenge in 11 hours 49 minutes, the 11th solo swimmer in Leme to Pontal history,” reported Adherbal de Oliveira of the Leme to Pontal Swimming Association.
Santos said of his efforts and what he considers his greatest athletic achievement, “I knew it would be difficult and I respected it from the beginning, but I did not expect to face so many difficulties.”
Those interested can access the Leme to Pontal Swimming Association at www.swimlpsa.com.br and request registration from secretary@swimlpsa.com.br.
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Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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