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The WOWSA Awards, an annual recognition of excellence in open water swimming, announced the winners of the 2022 awards across six categories: Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Performance of the Year, Para Performance of the Year, Event of the Year, and Product or Service of the Year.
The awards celebrate individuals and offerings that embody the spirit of open water swimming and have positively impacted the community, showcasing their determination, fortitude, and sense of adventure. Over 143 nominations were evaluated by the 97 members of the WOWSA Awards Voting Academy and narrowed down to 10 finalists in each category, hailing from 23 different countries.
More than 11,400 public votes were cast, with a 75% weighting from the WOWSA Academy and 25% from the general public, to determine the top three winners in each category. The results are as follows:
WOWSA Man of the Year:
1st Place (Gold): Paddy Conaghan (Ireland)
2nd Place (Silver): Lewis Pugh (South Africa)
3rd Place (Bronze): Gregorio Paltrinieri (Italy)
WOWSA Woman of the Year:
1st Place (Gold): Sarah Thomas (USA)
2nd Place (Silver): Ana Marcela Cunha (Brazil)
3rd Place (Bronze): Bárbara Hernández Huerta (Chile)
Performance of the Year:
1st Place (Gold): Sarah Thomas (USA)
2nd Place (Silver): Team Bits Missing (United Kingdom)
3rd Place (Bronze): Adherbal de Oliveira (Brazil)
Para Performance of the Year:
1st Place (Gold): Mark Omrod, MBE (United Kingdom)
2nd Place (Silver): Théo Curin (France)
3rd Place (Bronze): Team Bits Missing (United Kingdom)
Event of the Year:
1st Place (Gold): S.C.A.R Swim Challenge (USA)
2nd Place (Silver): Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean (Canada)
3rd Place (Bronze): Por Ellas (Mexico)
Product or Service of the Year:
1st Place (Gold): Cork Distance Week (Ireland)
2nd Place (Silver): WOWSA Webinars & Education (USA)
3rd Place (Bronze): Morocco Swim Trek (Morocco)
The winners of the World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year and the World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year will receive a selection of gifts from leading open water swimming brands, including a Hydrastrong Swimsuit and accessories from Nike Swim, an Openwater Backpack from Orca, a protective swim cap from Hammerhead, an Evo Swim Parka from Red Paddle, and Nutritional Algae Tablets from Energybits.
The WOWSA Awards honor those who embody the spirit of open water swimming and make a positive impact on the community. The 2022 winners are a testament to the sport’s commitment to adventure, tenacity, and perseverance.
Read our news release post for more information
About The World Open Water Swimming Association
World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) supports a global community of open water swimmers committed to safety, sportsmanship, and adventure. Our platform serves as a go-to resource for swimmers and coaches seeking events, community and education..
