The Rome-based International Swimming League (ISL) Team Aqua Centurions, led by Italian icon Federica Pellegrini, just added some major freestyle power to its rapidly-growing arsenal.
Brazilians Breno Correia and Luiz Altamir Melo have been announced as having joined existing Aqua Centurions members Santo Condorelli, Gabriele Detti, Kristian Gkolomeev, among others. The pair represent the only other swimmers from their nation to join the ISL, along with the already-announced Vini Lanza of London Roar.
While competing at the 2018 Short Course World Championships in Hangzhou, China, Correia and Melo were part of the menacing men’s 4x200m free relay that put up a time of 6:46.81 to crush the previous World Record held by Russia at 6:49.04 since 2010.
Melo opened with a powerful split of 1:42.03, while Correia anchored the Brazilians home in a monster 1:40.98 to top the podium in China.
Since then, Correia and Melo have each entered the LCM individual rankings in the 200 free event, with the former holding the 13th fastest time in the world in 1:46.65, and Melo as the 24th fastest swimmer in 1:47.23. Both marks were produced at April’s Brazil Trophy.
Aqua Centurions Roster as of June 4th:
| Federica Pellegrini | Luca Dotto |
| Sarah Koehler | Santo Condorelli |
| Franziska Hentke | Phillip Heintz |
| Margherita Panziera | Fabio Scozzoli |
| Martina Carraro | Laszlo Cseh |
| Kaylee McKeown | Kristian Gkolomeev |
| Gabriele Detti | |
| Breno Correia | |
| Luiz Altamir Melo |
Also I don´t know why Melo time opening the relay on Brazil Trophy did not count on the ranking
He went a PB of 1.46:73 on the first leg
Breno Correia looks a great prospect for both 100 and 200 free, but after Matheus De Santana, whose growth was incredible in 2013/14 (48.25 to win YOG2014 at 18), it’s wiser being prudent about his future accomplishments.
Also of Notice that Correia is on the 100 free ranking also with his 48,11.
That kid can go 47 1:45 on World..
Brazil has this group of talented young freestylers who are all on the edge of individual medals. I think one of the great story lines heading toward Tokyo is which one can hit that next gear and make it happen.
Even if he does for me he is still not yet in contention for medals. He may be next year though