Nop Luengnimitmas started to make inquiries a year ago about how to develop open water swimming in Thailand. Less than one year later, open water swimmers from Thailand are starting to represent their nation very well on the professional marathon swimming circuit.

Bejaportn Sriphanomthorn debuted a highly respectable 8th in the Hong Kong event, sandwiched between two American FINA World Cup winners and ahead of a number of other swimmers from Australia, China and New Zealand (see results below):

The Thai men, Sere Phansomboon and Kittiphat Pipimnun, also did respectfully well on the men’s side of the equation, placing 19th and 27th out of a total of 34 competitors.

1. Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) 2:11:48
2. Cara Baker (NZL) 2:11:50.10
2. Angela Maurer (GER) 2:11:50.10
4. Nadine Reichert (GER) 2:11:53
5. Olga Beresnyeva (UKR) 2:11:58
6. Shi Yue Cao (CHN) 2:11:59
7. Christine Jennings (USA) 2:11:59
8. Bejaportn Sriphanomthorn (THA) 2:12:10
9. Emily Brunemann (USA) 2:12:15
10. Betina Lorscheitter (BRA) 2:12:21
11. Jing Yu Wang (CHN) 2:13:01
12. Emily Seymour (AUS) 2:13:47
13. Leah Cuttings (AUS) 2:14:33
14. Shi Hui He (CHN) 2:15:11
15. Charlotte Webby (NZL) 2:15:45
16. Caitlin Wall (NZL) 2:25:43
17. Ching Man Chan (HKG) 2:27:01
18. Ming Yu Claudia Wong (HKG) 2:27:08
19. Alice Whiley (AUS) 2:27:09
20. Sithee Sontisiriklit (THA) 2:28:54
21. Hong Fei Qu (CHN) 2:34:21

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