Poliana Okimoto gives Corinthians victory of the year in water

One week after receiving her official presentation at the Corinthians sports club, Poliana Okimoto produced her first win for the swim team on Sunday.

Okimoto finished in first place at the Crossing of the Forts in the waters of Cobacabana, Rio de Janeiro.

She finished the 3.3 kilometer swimming marathon in less than 40 minutes. Second place went to 18-year-old Ana Marcela Cunha, 13 seconds behind Okimoto. Bettina Lorscheitter was in third place.

"I tried to establish a strong rhythm from the beginning of the race. I knew that Ana Marcela would be close and indeed she stayed with me the whole race. In the closing meters, I gave an extra effort with my legs. I wanted to be a three-time champion. The Crossing of the Forts is an icon in aquatic marathons and is a great title to win," said Okimoto after winning her third Crossing of the Forts.

Corinthians wanted to establish a star-studded swim team for their centennial year of competition.

Along with Okimoto, Cesar Cielo was also in the sights of the club. However, Cielo and the club never found a deal that satisfied both parties. Cielo was then targeted by Flamengo and she signed a contract with the club from Rio de Janeiro last week.

The winner of the men's race at the Crossing of the Forts was Luiz Rogerio Arapiraca. He surprised the favorite to win, Allan do Carmo, and was able to win an exciting neck-and-neck marathon. Both swimmers were able to take advantage of the wake that the last place finishers of the women's heat produced, accelerating their pace in the final stretch.

Source: Xinhua