BALATONFURED, Hungary, July 21 -- Ana Marcela Cunha of Brazil retained her title in the women's 25km open water event in 5 hours, 21 minutes and 58.4 seconds at the 17th FINA World Championships on Thursday in Balatonfured, western Hungary.

Cunha specializes in the open water marathon. She is considered one of the best open water swimmers in the world. At the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai, she won the gold medal in the women's 25 km marathon. At the 2024 FINA World Championships in Kazan, she became two-time World Champion of the 25 km marathon.

Dutch swimmer Sharon van Rouwendaal claimed the silver medal in 5:22:0.8. Arianna Brindi of Italy took the bronze medal in 5:22:8.2.

A total of 21 athletes attended the race. Martina Grimaldi of Italy finished in 4th place, while Anna Olasz of Hungary in 5th place. Anastasiia Krapivina of Russia, Becca Mann of USA, Aurelie Muller of France placed sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively.