Viola Valli

Viola Valli, inductee (Honour Swimmer) of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, Class of 2021

Viola Valli after one of her 5 gold medals at the FINA World Swimming Championships

History of Viola Valli in international competitions

Viola Valli (born 15 May 1972) is a competitive swimmer and professional marathon swimmer from Italy.

Open Water Swimming Highlights

• She is the former world champion at the 5 km, 10 km and 25 km events.
• She won 5 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal at the FINA World Swimming Championships during her career.
• She received the Cavaliere Ordine al merito della Repubblica Italiana (Knight Order of Merit of the Italian Republic) in 2003 from the Government of Italy.
• She won the 2003 FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships 10 km race, beating IMSHOF Honor Swimmers Edith Van Dijk and Angela Maurer.
• She won the 2001 FINA World Championships 25 km race, beating IMSHOF Honor Swimmers Edith Van Dijk and Angela Maurer.
• She competed in five elite marathon swimming races in four years starting in 2000:
  • 4 FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships and 1 FINA World Cup, taking 1st or 2nd in every race.
• She is one of the most successful women in FINA World Open Water Swimming Championship history.
  • She was the first swimmer to be crowned world champion in the 5 km, 10 km and 25 km races.
  • She won 12 FINA World Championship medals in 5 km, 10 km and 25 km races, both individual and team competitions.
  • 1999 LEN European Championships in Istanbul, Turkey: silver medal 5 km
  • 2001 FINA World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan: gold medal 5 km
  • 2001 FINA World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan: gold medal 25 km
  • 2002 LEN European Championships in Berlin, Germany: gold medal 5 km
  • 2002 LEN European Championships in Berlin, Germany: bronze medal 10 km
  • 2002 FINA Open Water Swimming World Championships in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on 23-28 September 2002: gold medal 5 km in 56:52
  • 2002 FINA Open Water Swimming World Championships in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on 23-28 September 2002: silver medal 10 km in 1:56:42.28
  • 2003 FINA World Swimming Championships in Barcelona, Spain: gold medal 5 km
  • 2003 FINA World Swimming Championships in Barcelona, Spain: gold medal 10 km
• She was elected to the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in the Class of 2021 as an Honor Swimmer.

External links

• The Best Open Water Swimmers from 1950 to 2020
• The Best Open Water Swimmers from 1950 to 2020
• The Best Open Water Swimmers of the 2010's
• The Best Open Water Swimmers of the 2000's
• The Best Open Water Swimmers of the 1990's
• The Best Open Water Swimmers of the 1980's
• The Best Open Water Swimmers of the 1970's
• The Best Open Water Swimmers of the 1960's
• The Best Open Water Swimmers of the 1950's
• 25 km World Championship Race Is No More
• Will the 25K Race At FINA World Championships Be Cancelled?
• 11 Luminaries Honored In Today's International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
• International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Virtual Ceremonies, Celebrating the Class of 2021
• Martina Grimaldi Talks About Her Career On WOWSA Live
• Massimo Giuliani Discusses His Career On WOWSA Live
• Champions, Adventurers, Record Holders, Endurers And Supporters In The Hall Of Fame
• International Marathon Swimming Hall Of Fame Class Of 2021
• Viola Valli Honored By The International Marathon Swimming Hall Of Fame
• Viva Violla Valli
• 20 Years Later, Fukuoka Will Only Get Better
• World Open Water Swimming Association
• Open Water Swimming
• Marathon Swimming
• Olympic 10K Marathon Swim
• Daily News of Open Water Swimming
• I Got Stung
• World Marathon Swimming Association
• Swimming In The Black