Para swimming: Brazil’s Gabriel Araújo sets world record in UK

Brazilian Paralympic champion Gabriel Araújo, usually referred to by the diminutive Gabrielzinho, celebrated his 21st birthday in great style Thursday (Mar. 16) by breaking his own world record in the 150 medley, class S2 (severe motor impairment) on the first day of the World Series in Sheffield, in the UK.

The swimmer won the gold medal by finishing the race in 3min23s83—over 23 seconds quicker than the mark he had clinched in São Paulo in April last year.

The day also sparkled in gold for Carol Santiago, world and Paralympic champion. She won the 100-m freestyle, class S12 (low vision), with 59s84.

Brazil climbed the podium on two other occasions, as Gabriel Bandeira won silver in the 100m freestyle, class S14 (intellectual impairment), and Patrícia Santos took the second silver of the day in the 150m medley, class S4 (severe motor impairment).

The Brazilian delegation has 20 athletes in the Paralympic World Series, which is slated to end on Sunday (19).