Brilliant Brazilians break more records in Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo’s stage of the World Para Swimming World Series came to an end on Saturday in the same way as it began, with a huge haul of medals for the hosts and records smashed throughout the day.

Gabriel Geraldo dos Santos from Brazil broke the world record* in the men’s 50m butterfly S2 as he clocked 1.06.53 He shaved almost five seconds off the previous mark of 1.11.26 set by fellow Brazilian Bruno Becker, who took bronze.

It was a clean sweep on the podium for Brazil, with multi-Paralympic champion Daniel Dias claiming silver, his fifth medal of the Sao Paulo event.

“I cannot put into words what I am feeling right now. I am absolutely delighted and it is a privilege to be alongside Daniel Dias on the podium”, said the 17-year-old swimmer.

Another youngster who stood out was 18-year-old-Argentinian swimmer Iñaki Basiloff who scored the men’s 400m in 4.45.74, a new Americas S8 record.

After her stellar performance in the 100m breaststroke a day earlier, Maria Carolina Gomes finished her performance in Sao Paulo off by winning the 100m butterfly (1.07.09).

Paralympic medallist Phelipe Rodrigues got gold in the men’s 100m butterfly by touching the wall in 59.60.

Brazil’s dominance also continued in the longer distances, as Cecilia Araujo got the best in the women’s 400m freestyle with 5.18.78. Felipe Caltran won the men’s 200m freestyle in 2.03.58 and Ana Karolina Soares took the women’s 200m freestyle (2.18.76).

The Sao Paulo World Series featured 250 swimmers from 16 countries. Four world records were broken and nine new Americas records set.

*Subject to ratification by World Para Swimming