Sports

Brazil's Paralympic swimming team surpasses 100 gold medals

Matera and Santiago won gold medals at the championships on Tuesday

Agência Brasil - Rio de Janeiro

Published on 02/08/2023 - 09:32

Agência Brasil - Rio de Janeiro

douglas matera é ouro no mundial de natação paralímpica, em 01/08/2023 — © Douglas Magno/CPB/Direitos Reservados

Brazil's Paralympic swimming team achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 100 gold medals at the World Championships in Manchester, England. On Tuesday (Aug. 1), the team clinched seven more medals in 11 finals, including two gold, four silver, and one bronze.

Douglas Matera made history by winning the 100-meter butterfly class S12 (low vision) in an impressive time of 58s28, securing Brazil's 100th gold medal and breaking the Americas record. Stephen Clegg from Britain took silver (58s41), and Raman Salei from Azerbaijan claimed bronze (58s73).

Carol Santiago added another gold to Brazil's tally by winning the 100m butterfly S12 in 1min05s68. Spain's Maria Nadal took silver (1min06s87), while Italy's Alessia Berra settled for bronze (1min06s98).

Lidia Cruz won the first silver medal of the day in the 100m S4 class (physical-motor limitations) with a time of 1min29s43. Germany's Tanja Scholz (1min22s18) and Gina Boettcher (1min30s31) secured gold and bronze, respectively.

"It was like winning silver with a hint of gold. I swam alongside the world record holder Tanja. Knowing that our efforts in this cycle, with an eye on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, have yielded positive results, is truly rewarding," Cruz said.

Brazil’s Talisson Glock (1min0br4s76) and Daniel Mendes (1min05s14) secured silver and bronze, respectively, in the 100m freestyle class S6 (physical-motor limitation). The Italian Antonio Fantin not only won gold (1min02s98) but also set a new world record for the race.

The country's achievements continued with two other silver medals: Gabriel Bandeira in the 100m backstroke S14 (intellectual disability) and the 4x50m freestyle relay team, consisting of Lídia Cruz, Patrícia Santos, Daniel Mendes, and Talisson Glock, all with some physical-motor impairment.

The ongoing World Cup has brought together 538 athletes from 67 countries. Brazil's delegation comprises 29 swimmers (15 women and 14 men). The competition will continue until next Sunday (6).