Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri was presented with the award by World Aquatics on Sunday following the medal ceremony of the men’s 10K at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships at Seaside Momochi Beach Park in Japan.
Gregorio Paltrinieri received the award by virtue of his gold medal in the 10km and his silver in the 5km at the World Aquatics Championships - Budapest 2022, with this being his first time being bestowed with the award. 2016 and 2018 winner Ferry Weertman was on hand to give him the award.
Paltrinieri was also the Open Water World Series co-champion in 2022, winning all three races he competed in, collecting 2400 points and $35,500 USD in the process.
The Italian has long been one of the best distance swimmers in the world, making every major 1500m final dating back to the 2012 Olympics, and also was the Olympic champion in 2016 in the event. Paltrinieri was also last year’s World champ in the 1500m and is the second-fastest performer all-time in the event. All in all, he’s won three Olympic medals and 12 World Championships medals.
On Sunday, he finished fifth overall in the 10km. Paltrinieri is the first Italian male to win Open Water Athlete of the Year since Valerio Cleri won the inaugural award in 2010.