An Open Water Swimming Legend Honored Among The Greats

Paul Asmuth, one of the greatest marathon swimmers of all time, was recently voted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. His induction ceremony will be in May 2010 with a host of other all-time aquatic greats.

The International Swimming Hall of Fame honors swimmers, divers, water polo players, synchronized swimmers, coaches and contributors from all over the world.

Members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2010 include Honor Swimmers Brooke Bennett (USA), Petria Thomas (Australia) and Franziska Van Almsick (Germany), Honor Synchronized Swimmer, Maria Kisseleva (Russia), Honor Swimming Coaches Murray Stephens (USA) and Tamas Szechy (Hungary), Honor Pioneer Diver Larry Griswold (USA), Honor Pioneer Swimmer, Teofilo Yldefonso (Phillipines) and Honor Contributor Cornel Marculescu (Romania).

Paul was so dominant in his era that he was voted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame not even halfway through his professional career.

Paul joins only a handful of marathon swimmers in the International Swimming Hall of Fame. The creme de la creme of our sport include Abdellatief Abou Heif (inducted 1998) from Egypt, Greta Andersen (1969) from Denmark, Florence Chadwick (1970) from USA, Lynne Cox (2000) from USA, Penny Lee Dean (1996) from USA, Gertrude Ederle (1965) from USA, Horatio Iglesias (2003) from Argentina, John Kinsella (1986) from USA, Cindy Nicholas (2005) from Canada, Alison Streeter (2006) from Great Britain, Shelley Taylor-Smith (2008) from Australia, Captain Matthew Webb (1965) from Great Britain and Herman Williamse (2008) from Holland.

Seven-time world professional marathon swimming champion Paul was appreciative and humbled by his selection, "“It’s a great blessing to both me and my family. To have my mom and dad still be alive is the biggest thrill to me. It’s the greatest honor that a swimmer can be awarded.."

But his open water swimming legacy is not over. Paul is helping the next generation of American open water swimmers also make their own mark on the sport. Besides managing a world-class winery in Napa Valley, Paul has been traveling the world, spending time on the shores, docks, beaches and kayaks helping guide America's best attain the heights that he did.

Congratulations on a great career that is not over.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association