Day 3 of the 2025 World Championships was the first session in which South American women made an appearance in a night session. Brazilians Stephanie Balduccini and Maria Fernanda Costa got a second swim in the women’s 200 freestyle, placing 13th and 14th respectively in the semifinal.
These night appearances come after two tough breaks for South Americans earlier in the meet. On the first morning, Costa came in 9th to miss the 400 freestyle final by just one position. The following day, Argentine swimmer Macarena Ceballos placed 17th to narrowly miss out on a 100 breaststroke semifinal berth.
Both Costa and Balduccini added from the times they turned in at Brazilian Nationals in the spring. Balduccini posted a 1:57.87 in Singapore after winning domestically in 1:56.43. Costa, meanwhile, went from 1:57.60 in Brazil to 1:58.10 in the heats here.
Despite the time gains, the duo have laid the foundations for a solid 800 freestyle relay on Thursday. Comparing add-ups today, the Brazilians came within striking distance of rival countries like Great Britain and Hungary that were further ahead in-season. Furthermore, Costa is a tried and true relay hero, breaking the South American record with a 1:56.06 on the country’s lead-off in Paris last year.
The country didn’t bring relay-only swimmers. Brazilian coaches will likely tap distance star Gabrielle Roncatto as a third leg. Fellow distance swimmer Leticia Fassina and sprinter Ferreira Versiani represent options to round out the relay. This is the only relay, male or female, that a South American team will compete in this week.
Other Day 3 South America News
- Less than three days after competing in the U.S. at Greensboro Futures, Colombian National Record holder Jorge Murillo swam the 50 breaststroke in 27.77. This was .01 slower than he went in the States.
- Raekwon Noel crushed his first race of Worlds, bringing down the Guyanese record in the 200 fly from 2:02.52 to 1:59.89
- Juan Manuel Morales (COL) and Guilherme Costa (BRA) wrapped up a busy 200/400/800 free triple on the first three days of competition. Both athletes added from their own national records: Costa touched in 7:58.84 for 18th (NR 7:45.48), while Morales finished with a 7:59.29 to come in 19th (NR 7:54.44)
National Records
- Raekwon Noel (Guyana): 200 fly — 1:59.89
