Marianna Lymperta finished third in the 10-kilometre open water race in Shanghai on Tuesday to become the first Greek woman ever to win a medal in the World Swimming Championships.
The Olympiakos Piraeus swimmer covered the distance in two hours, two minutes and one second, just three seconds behind the winner, Britain's Keri-Anne Payne.
"The conditions were difficult indeed. The water was warm, but that was good for me as I am used to such conditions. I was behind at the start, but I later saw that I had the strength and stayed close to the leading group and eventually got the medal," she stated.
Lymperta, 32, has also earned herself a ticket to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
"I am very happy because this will be my fourth Olympics," said Lymperta, before dedicating the medal to her family and her coach, Miltos Kanellopoulos.
Another Greek, Kelly Araouzou, finished 18th.
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