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Corona Mom, Fitness Trainer Recovering After Shark Bite

CORONA DEL MAR (CBSLA.com) — A Corona mom was identified Tuesday as the victim in an apparent shark bite off the coast of Corona del Mar last weekend.

Maria Korcsmaros, a 52-year-old aerobics and fitness trainer, is a mother of three, according to officials at Orange County Global Medical Center.

Officials say she was training for a half-Ironman competition when she was attacked off Corona del Mar State Beach at 4:15 p.m. Sunday.

Doctors hailed Korcsmaros for staying "remarkably calm" through the ordeal and credited her level of physical fitness for helping her survive. She is expected to make a full recovery.

Maria Korcsmaros,
Officials say Maria Korcsmaros was training for a half-Ironman marathon when she was attacked.

Lifeguards searched the water for signs of sharks but "have not spotted a shark or any significant marine life activity," Newport Beach spokeswoman Tara Finnigan said.

The attack prompted authorities to clear the ocean water of swimmers from the Balboa Pier south to Crystal Cove State Beach. The stretch reopened at noon Tuesday.

Korcsmaros has started a GoFundMe page to help pay for her recovery. 

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