Dubai: Germany's Thomas Lurz and Brazilian Poliana Okimoto lived up to pre-race hype winning the men's and women's titles at the penultimate round of the Fina 10km Marathon Swimming held at Mamzar Beach on Sunday.
Lurz and Okimoto are both tipped for the overall world titles when the season concludes with the final round in Sharjah this week.
Lurz finished ahead of Vladimir Dyatchin of Russia and Thomas Allen of Great Britain, while Okimoto nosed out Angela Maurer of Germany and Larissa Ilchenko of Russia.
"Today's win means I have the best talent to go out there and win such a gruelling race," Lurz told media after finishing the race.
"Winning is an enjoyable feeling and this win is even more memorable because I like it here in Dubai," the German champion added.
Lurz, who has won an incredible nine World Cups of the 12 he has participated in this season, admitted that he had planned his race well. He stayed behind in the early pack and allowed Britain's Daniel Fogg and then Australia's Rhys Mainstone to take the lead.
Once on the final two-kilometre lap, Lurz eased ahead and went all out on the final stretch leaving Dyatchin and Allen behind.
"I was getting tired after the 8km mark, but I just held in there at the back of the pack and decided to go strong on the final sprint," Lurz stated.
In the women's race too, Okimoto adopted a similar approach of staying at the back of the pack. However, she kept on improving with each lap even as American teenager Eva Fabian continued having a dream run at the top.
As they eased into the fifth and final lap of the race, Okimoto made her move and one final rush towards the finish saw her end two strokes clear of Maurer and Ilchenko.
"I'm very tired, but also very happy with this win today," Okimoto said. "I needed this win to keep myself motivated for the next race (October 21) and then think of a nice vacation."
Results
(Men) 1. Thomas Lurz (Germany)
2. Vladimir Dyatchin (Russia)
3. Thomas Allen (Great Britain)
(Women) 1. Poliana Okimoto (Brazil)
2. Angela Maurer (Germany)
3. Larissa Ilchenko (Russia)
