Special thanks to D’Artagnan Dias for contributing to this report.
On day 3 of Brazil’s long course national championships, Thiago Pereira extended a long win streak while Cesar Cielo saw his come to a close.
Pereira won his 13th-consecutive national title in the 400 IM, going 4:13.94 on Wednesday night of the Maria Lenk Trophy. The Minas veteran outlasted Corinthians’ Brandonn Almeida, who was coming off a big national-record 1500 free win a day earlier. Almeida took second in 4:15.82.
In the 50 free, though, world record-holder Cesar Cielo failed to win his 8th-straight national title, falling to Bruno Fratus of Pinheiros. Fratus was 21.74 and Cielo 21.84. Neither man is fully tapered for this meet, instead saving up for the World Championships this summer. Alan Vitoria was 22.28 for third. A couple more big names in that race: youngster Matheus Santana was 22.33 for fourth, and Nicholas dos Santos, the last man to beat Cielo in this event at a Maria Lenk meet back in 2007, had a great start but fell to 5th in 22.47.
Video of Men’s 50 free:
In the women’s splash-and-dash, Etiene Medeiros just missed her own South American record, but still won in 24.78. Graciele Herrmann was 24.95 for second.
Joanna Maranhao of Pinheiros ran away with the women’s 400 IM, going 4:40.57. She was trailed by a pair of Argentinian swimmers: Florencia Perotti (GNU) in 4:46.95 and Virginia Bardach (Minas) in 4:47.88.
The women’s lineup also featured the 800 free, where Samantha Salinas took the crown, just as she did in the 1500 on day 1. Salinas waited until the final 100 meters to go by early leader Carolina Bilich, but used a patient race to go 8:39.29. Bilich finished in 8:40.79, and Poliana Okimoto was 8:43.44 for third.
In the men’s 4×200 free relay, Minas led early, with Nicolas Oliveira leading off in 1:47.71. Thiago Pereira kept his crew in the lead through two legs, but Joao de Lucca and Pinheiros started creeping up over the third split. Pinheiros anchor Gabriel Ogawa pushed his team to the come-from-behind victory, with the relay going 7:16.67 for a new meet record. Minas held on for second place in 7:17.83 and Unisanta was third in 7:19.14.
The women ended the night with a new South American record in the relay. Pinheiros was set up perfectly to break the record, with the two fastest swimmers in South American history (former continental record-holder Manuella Lyrio and new record-holder as of day 1 Larissa Oliveira) on their roster. The old record was set at the Athens Olympics at 8:05.29. Joanna Maranhao, who was on the old record-setting relay, led off in 2:00.60, with the team trailing only SESI’s Jessica Cavalheiro (2:00.23).
Manuella Lyrio and Gabrielle Roncatto put Pinheiros into the lead over the middle two legs, and Larissa Oliveira anchored the team to an 8:03.22 finish to crush the continental record.
SESI was DQ’d for a false start, so Minas took second overall in 8:15.10 and GNU was 8:19.87 for third.
Team Points
- Minas – 979
- Pinheiros – 943
- Corinthians – 783
Santiago Grassi, 18 yo from Argentina, went 52,68 in a 100 fly time trial at the Maria Lenk Trophy. New national record, looking great for Jr Worlds!!
Pereira’s 13th consecutive title? That’s insane!
Has there even ever been someone close? Brazil has a much bigger focus on sprinting it seems. Rafael/Ddias, would you agree? I would think the young boys want to be like the country’s biggest stars?
Good times on the morning (First morning without Rain, wind or extreme heat)
200 fly: Leonardo de Deus took a easy 1:59 on the morning.. but we might see something good on the afternoon..16 year old Kaue dropped from 2:05 to a 2:01 now.. Junior Word time
Best race was 100 breast: Felipe Lima swam a 59:74 and França 1:00:01 New PB for Mickozs after a 2:12 on 200 breast now he goes 1:01:77 at 100. On women side just 1 girl under 1:10.. Hope to see at least now a 1:08 1:07.. Women Breast is too weak right now..
On the afternoon Finals, also Brandonn again on 800 free now.. and the 4×100 freestyle relays..
Jessica relay opening was 2:00:00!
Santana probably is tapered. He must qualify and he wants an individual swim
Good to see Santana swimming well. I have high hopes for him in the 100m. Rafael/Ddias do we know whether he is fully tapered or just rested?
Hope also to see brandonn under bentz wjr!
Cielo and fratus just want the 50 and relay. Nicolas Santana de lucca and chiereginni will probably give all on 100. The sa record will go down soon. The sum of times is around 7:57