The FINA Aquatics World Magazine selected Larisa Ilchenko as its Female Open Water Swimmer of the Decade, an honor rightly deserved.

The 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 world 5 km gold medalist from Russia was also the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 world champion in the 10 km marathon distance as well. To top it off, she also became the first Olympic 10K Marathon Swim champion – an unparalleled streak of success. But it has been an intense road to the top of the podium.

At the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, Larisa said, “Yesterday, everyone was so kind and friendly. Everyone was wishing each other good luck. Today [the day of competition], all the smile were wiped off. It was a fight from the first moments of the day.”

Over the next decade, the battles will undoubtedly continue.

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