Anna Arzhanova has been re-elected President of CMAS ©CMAS

Anna Arzhanova has been re-elected President of the World Underwater Federation (CMAS) for a further four-year term at the organisation's General Assembly in Rome.

The 47-year-old Russian, a vice-president of the Association of International Olympic Committee Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), was first chosen to lead the governing body in 2013.

The 65 delegates in the Italian capital, which withdrew from the race for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, unanimously confirmed Arzhanova as President.

"I am very happy for this result, which acknowledges the good job done over the past four years." said Arzhanova, who unsuccessfully stood against Patrick Baumann for the SportAccord Presidency last year. 

"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all Member Federations that have confirmed their trust in me. 

"It is a strong encouragement to continue working with the same passion and devotion for CMAS and with all CMAS stakeholders, on both a national and international level.

"In this regard, I am grateful to Raffaele Chiulli, vice-president of the Global Association of International Sports Federations, for having pleased us with his presence and opening speech today."

The CMAS General Assembly took place in Rome ©CMAS
The CMAS General Assembly took place in Rome ©CMAS

Chiulli, the President of ARISF and the head of the International Powerboating Union, congratulated the Russian for her re-election, which will see her remain in the role until at least 2021.

"I wish to congratulate my dear friend and colleague Anna Arzhanova for the renewal of her presidential mandate at CMAS, which couldn’t be more deserved," the Italian said. 

"We have been working together during the past two years at ARISF and I have had the privilege of appreciating her capabilities and team spirit. 

"I am pretty sure that under her Presidency, CMAS will reach further successes and validly keep on contributing to the development of sport at any level."

The CMAS also confirmed its new Board of Directors.

Hassan Baccouche of Tunisia, Frenchman Jean-Louis Blanchard, Simon El Khoury of Jordan, Egypt's Sameh Nabil Elshazly, Michael Frenzel of Germany, Ricardo Josè of Portugal, Francisco Alberto Lacase of Argentina, Byungdoo Lee of South Korea and Italy's Claudio Nolli will serve on the Board.

They will be joined by Ireland's Kevin O'Shaughnessy, Serbian Bozana Ostojic, William Pena of Colombia, Spaniard Andres Sureda and Shunji Yoshizawa of Japan.