FORT LAUDERDALE –
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce Paul Asmuth, of the United States of America, as this year’s recipient of the 2026 Poseidon Award for her incredible achievements in marathon swimming. The award will be presented to Asmuth during the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) Induction and Award Ceremony on Saturday May 16th, 2025, in San Diego. The Poseidon Award, presented annually by the International Swimming Hall of Fame, recognizes outstanding contributions to marathon swimming. This award honors individuals or organizations that have significantly advanced the sport of Marathon swimming through their personal efforts or initiatives.
This year’s award honors Paul Asmuth who finished 55 professional marathon swimming races from 1980 to 2004, winning a record 18 Majors. During this time, he won seven World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation Championship titles. He completed the English Channel three times – setting the male speed record in 1985. His longest race/swim was the 64 km double crossing of Lac St. Jean in a speed record of 17:06 in 1989. He also won the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, 37 km Around the Island marathon swim in Atlantic City 8 times, 42 km La Traversee du Lac Memphremagog 6 times, and 36 km Capri-Naples 3 times.
Paul raced in oceans, lakes, seas, back bays, and rivers with temperatures ranging between 13 C and 30 C (53F to 86F). He was the first to swim the 38.6 km Sound between Nantucket and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
From 2006 to 2012, Paul advised and coached the USA open water national team including at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics. During this period, he contributed his knowledge and experience to help pool swimmers become open water World Champions/Medalists and an Olympic silver medalist.
Paul was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 1982 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2010.
For additional information, please call Ned Denison in Ireland at (+353) 87-987-1573 or ISHOF at (+1954) 462-6536, or visit http://www.ishof.org