GWANGJU, Korea, Republic Of — Ana Marcela Cunha improved on her already impressive career in open-water swimming at the world championships with a win in the
It was the 27-year-old Brazilian's fourth gold and 10th medal overall at the world championships since 2011.
Cunha, who was consistently in the top 10 throughout the race, pulled away in the final 300
Defending
Toronto's Kate Sanderson was the top Canadian, finishing 24th. Victoria's Chantel Jeffrey was 28th.
Cunha has won the
On Sunday, Cunha finished fifth in the
"In the 10k, I really wasn't happy with that result," Cunha said. "Today my strategy was to swim a bit more relaxed in the first half. I was behind the girls until the third lap when I started to move up. In the final lap, I just got myself to where I needed to be."
Moore was thrilled with her tie for the bronze medal at her first world titles.
"This has by far exceeded my expectations," the American said. "I knew it would be really rough, just based on watching the other races. The girls went out really fast, so I tried to stay calm and be a little braver than I wanted to be, and it worked out in the end."
She said she was inspired by the performances of her American teammates in Gwangju.
"Watching Haley (Anderson) win a silver medal in the 10k and to see that she and Ashley (Twichell) both achieved the Olympic qualification in the 10k really fired me up," Moore said. "I just got into this sport last year and I'm kind of learning from them."
All 54 starters completed Wednesday's race.
The open water races continue Thursday with the
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