21-year old Erik Risolvato busted his way to a swim-off position in this morning’s men’s 50m freestyle after clocking a personal best of 22.48 in prelims. That mark matched Trinidad and Tobago’s Dylan Carter for 8th spot out of the AM races, forcing a head-to-head battle between the two to claim that final slot in tonight’s A-race.
Swimming a second race after the prelims session concluded, Risolvato nailed down the win in the one-on-one contest, touching the all in a rapid 22.33 ahead of Carter’s 22.39, to log another new personal best.
Risolvato not only made it into the finals with is performance, but he also raced his way into Puerto Rico’s record books with a new national mark. His 22.33 surpassed the previous record held by Ricardo Busquest, which was 22.42 set all the way back at the 1997 Pan Pacific Championships in Japan.
Prior to this meet, Risolvato’s personal best was the 22.49 he registered at this year’s Arena Pro Swim Series in Orlando. Risolvato is a member of the Phoenix Swim Club’s Elite team, which he joined just in December of 2014.
Erik has a great story, of which, the greatness has only partially to do with his swimming. Moments ago he bettered his own national record in the finals. Congrats!
Vimos la competencia y estuviste espectacular! Suerte!
He just may win a medal for Puerto Rico at Rio.
If he drops 1 second more in the next year, then he must have the same adress of doctor as the now famous Mauricio Fiol.
I love my tattoo not a day goes by that I want it removed and I love that it reminds me to think of the ones I’ve lost and keep moving forward.
Look at those tattoos. Good grief! He will regret those one day when he gets older. I hope they are henna tats.
Young swimmers take note from an old guy. Almost everyone I know who has tattoos wants to remove them when the hit their 40’s. If you are going to get one, make sure it’s in a spot where it’s not too obvious.
They’re very permanent!
The tattoo Risolvato has on his chest is a cover up – underneath there’s a pair of pistols and a pair of knuckledusters (not kidding)!
Boricua!! Great swim
I think we should investigate about these tattoos.
I’m sure it helps to swim faster as much as taped fingers.
You bet it does!
I’ve got a dragon tattooed on my left arm (the dragon from the Welsh flag–my dad’s side of the family is from Wales). All I’ll say is that my left arm moves much faster than my right arm… 😉