USA swimmer Ashley Twichell won the 10K open water gold medal at the Pan American Games on Sunday.
Twichell won the race in 1:57.16.4.
“I am really happy with that. It is my first time in Chile and it was a beautiful venue. I got to race some new faces and some old faces,” Twichell said. “The sun came out for a little bit. It is fun being back. I didn’t know I would still be swimming so I am really trying to enjoy the journey.”
Twichell has returned to competition after becoming a mother.
“I feel like I have a different perspective, especially being away from my son for events,” she said. “and I want to have fun and see how it goes. I really just want to enjoy it all. I know now as long as I give it my best I have to be happy.”
Twichell held off Brazil’s Ana Marcela Cunha by 13 seconds. Cunha finished in 1:57.29.4 to earn the silver medal, while Brazil’s Viviane Jungblut claimed the bronze medal in 1:57.51.1.
“I felt like I would push and fall back, but you don’t know how hard you are going to have to push,” she said. “This is my first Pan American Games in open water. It is a relaxed vibe and a great event.”
Way to go!
Congratulations, Ashley!