AquaChallenge Open Water Swimming Championship completed in Marmaris

On the final day of the Arena AquaChallenge Open Water Swimming Championship; Martı Hotels 5K Open Water Swimming Championship, Setur Marinas 1K Open Water Swimming Championship, Aroma AquaKids, Quick Finans Women’s 4x400m Relay, and Quick Sigorta Men’s 4x400m Relay races were completed.

The 21st International Arena AquaChallenge Swimming Championship, where hundreds of swimmers swam in the turquoise waters of Marmaris, lasted for three days. On the first day of the International Arena AquaChallenge Championship, the start of the Open Water Swimming Championship 10K was given from Bozburun Yacht Club, and a total of 10 different championships were organized on different courses such as 1K, 2K, 3K, 5K, 10K, Night Swimming, Relay Races, and AquaKids, with nearly 4,000 swimmers participating. Approximately 2,758 athletes from 18 countries participated in the AquaChallenge Open Water Swimming races.

Marmaris Mayor Acar Ünlü stated, ‘It is truly gratifying to see that an organization that has been ongoing for years started during my time as the first council member. It is a separate source of happiness to see that it continues today as the mayor. Those who contributed to bringing the organization to this point should be appreciated. We express our gratitude for the contributions made to our region in terms of sports and swimming. We will do our best to further strengthen the upcoming organizations. We wish you continued success, congratulate you, and thank you.’

AquaChallenge Board Chairman Selçuk Demirel stated, ‘We successfully held the 21st International Arena Swimming Championship with great enthusiasm. Marmaris is very valuable to us because this championship was organized in Marmaris for the first time. This year marks its tenth year. We planned it together for the first time in 2014, and today we are still together. This is an important milestone for us. Quality and sustainability are prioritized in major events, and this championship also has this mission. It was truly a championship with record participation, with nearly four thousand of our athletes competing in Marmaris’ turquoise waters from Bozburun to the selections for three days. We hope to always maintain this line and create added value for Marmaris. There are many individuals and institutions involved, it is difficult to list them all individually, but I would like to thank all those who contributed, starting from our mayor, our esteemed District Governor, and all official and private institutions.’

Former National Swimmer Almina Simla Ertan said, ‘I have been to AquaChallenge many times and competed. This time, I swam 1 kilometer and it was much more comfortable and nice for me. Yesterday, I swam 2 kilometers. It was incredibly wavy, but just as exciting, stressful, it is really a very different experience all together. I am very happy to be here.’

Athlete Ece Kutlu, who competed in different categories of the competition, said, ‘This is my second time participating in AquaChallenge this year. I had the chance to swim in several courses, and it was an incredible experience. I once again saw the difficulties of training and swimming in the sea, and this competition, this atmosphere, the enthusiasm of the participants became an extra source of motivation for me for the next stages. I thank everyone who contributed.’