Swimmers in action during last year's edition of the FINA/CNSG Marathon World Series Doha in this file photo.
Doha: The FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim World Series Doha (QAT) 2020 is set for exciting action as many star athletes have signed up for the season-opening meet, which will be held at scenic Katara Beach on February 15.
The Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) has finalised the entry list of competitors for the highly-anticipated meet of the 10km circuit, which includes a total of 136 swimmers (82 male and 54 female athletes) from 34 countries.
France will send the biggest contingent which includes 16 swimmers to the Qatari capital, while Italy’s squad will consist of 14 athletes. Australia and Germany will have 10 swimmers each in their squads, while Hungary will come with nine athletes.
Two Qatari swimmers – Abdelrahman Hesham Mohamed and Ahmad Tarek A K Samara – will also compete in the first stop of the 10-meet FINA /CNSG Marathon Swim World Series 2020.
Participants in both the men and women’s races include many Olympic and World champions as well as several other leading long-distance swimmers.
“We witnessed thrilling men and women’s races last year, and this year too we expect another exciting round of FINA marathon because of the presence of world class athletes for the competition,” QSA President, Khaleel Al Jabir, said in a statement.
“We are hopeful that the swimmers will get perfect conditions to compete at the beautiful Katara Beach. Our preparation is on track as our team is working hard to complete all the arrangements. We will provide best facilities to all the participants coming to Doha,” he added.
Last year's women's champion in Doha, Brazil's Ana Marcela Cunha.
It will be tough to predict a winner in the men’s race, which will see world’s best long-distance swimmers in action.
Defending his overall world title, Kristóf Rasovszky (HUN) – also a gold medallist at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships (5km) in South Korea – will be competing against the likes of reigning Olympic champion Ferry Weertman (NED), and current World champion Florian Wellbrock (GER) in the grueling 10km race.
Wellbrock will also be defending his Doha title in the first meet.
Also in the men’s line-up are Olympic and World long course champion Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA), former World champion (25km) Simone Ruffini (ITA), and veteran swimmer Igor Chervynskiy (UKR).
Plenty of thrilling action is also on the cards in women’s race that will be headed by 2019 overall champion Rachele Bruni (ITA), the same day.
Bruni will face Rio Olympic gold medalist Sharon van Rouwendaal (NED) and defending Doha champion Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA), also the overall winner of the FINA Marathon Swim World Series in 2018, 2014, 2012 and 2010. Former European champion Arianna Bridi (ITA) will be the other main contender for women’s crown besides other star athletes.
Meanwhile, QSA has received over 150 entries so far for the Doha Open Water Challenge to be held on February 14 at Katara Beach.
The competition, which comprises different categories, is open for all. The last date for registration in the competition is February 10.
