Coach Saves Artistic Swimmer’s Life After Near-Drowning During Performance

There was a scary moment at the recent FINA World Aquatic Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Wednesday. Most people don’t think of artistic swimming when making lists of the world’s most dangerous sports. For one competitor, the endeavor nearly cost her life.

Anita Alverez had just finished up a performance in the women’s free solo event. Suddenly, something went terribly wrong. Alvarez fainted while she was still in the water, according to TMZ.

As Anita helplessly sunk to the bottom of the pool, her coach noticed something wasn’t right. Andrea Fuentes quickly took action. She jumped into the water to save Alvarez, who may have drowned had someone not intervened.

Fuentes grabbed Alvarez and pulled her to the surface. U.S. Artistic Swimming officials noted that the 25-year-old Alvarez is expected to fully recover. They reported that she is already feeling much better today.

Coach Fuentes said she had to rub Anita Alvarez’s face to get the water out of her lungs. It was a terrifying incident. Anita is fortunate, as things could have been much worse.

At last year’s Olympic qualification event, Anita Alverez had a similar incident. As she did this time, Andrea Fuentes was there to make the save. She might just be Anita’s guardian angel.

What do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments!