Poliana Okimoto: world champion swimmer who made Corinthians history

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Central do Timão

·26 December 2025

Poliana Okimoto: world champion swimmer who made Corinthians history

By Central do Timão Editorial Team

Poliana Okimoto was a professional swimmer who made her mark in open water marathon swimming, becoming one of the greatest Brazilian swimmers in the discipline. With a strong connection to Corinthians, she joined the select group of black-and-white idols whose stories are immortalized at the Parque São Jorge club.

Poliana began swimming at the age of two and, by 13, was already reaching her first podium, winning the bronze medal at the 1996 José Finkel Trophy. Although she started her career in pools, it was in open water that she established herself as an athlete. Poliana ended her professional career at the end of 2017.

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A multi-champion and pioneer in Brazil, the swimmer accumulated historic achievements throughout her career. Among her main titles are the bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games, as well as one gold, three silver, and two bronze medals at World Championships. Poliana was also named the best athlete in the world twice, in 2009 and 2013, becoming the first Brazilian woman to become world champion in the discipline and the first to reach an Olympic podium.

History at Corinthians

Poliana began her journey at Corinthians at a very young age, when she was just 14 years old. At that age, she was already training with the professional black-and-white swimming team. Her official contract with Timão was signed in 2010, in a partnership that lasted until 2013, when Timão made drastic cuts to its investment in swimming.

Her first competition wearing the Corinthians uniform was the Travessia dos Fortes, a traditional open water marathon race between Copacabana and Leme beaches in Rio de Janeiro. On that occasion, Poliana completed the race in about 40 minutes and took first place.

In 2019, in recognition of her career in Corinthians and Brazilian swimming, Poliana earned a place on the Parque São Jorge Walk of Fame. She was the first woman to receive this honor.