If the Brazilians can always count on one thing in their swimming machine, it’s that no matter who retires, who gets older, they will always be able to produce more men’s sprinters.
The latest added a big feather to his cap today in Sao Paulo at the Trofeu Chico Piscina 2012 when 16-year old Matheus Santana broke Ceasr Cielo’s 16-year-olds National Age Record on the first day of the competition not once, but twice.
First, in the morning, he swam a 23.18, and then he came back in finals with a 23.01 to really extend himself. Those are both better than the 23.29 that Cielo posted in 2003. The only American who has ever been faster at that age is Shayne Fleming – the National Age Group Record holder. Of note, USC’s Vlad Morozov was a 22.4 at 16.
He even did so under the pressure of the newly-launched CBDATV: a streaming web service that CBDA intends to use to broadcast their brand of swimming to the whole world.
“I’ve been working since last year to break this record and I did. I will continue to work with the dream for 2016 Olympics,” Santana said. He also made it clear that the fact that it was Cielo’s record didn’t make it any more or less meaningful to him (though perhaps to the swimming community it did, given Cielo’s level of success). Santana feels as though records are worthwhile regardless of the name that’s on them.
Other National Age Group Records went down on day 1 of this meet that runs through Saturday. Especially exciting is that two came on the women’s side, where Brazil is historically much, much weaker.
Giovana Dorigon broke the 16-year old girls’ 100 breaststroke record with a 1:12.02. That’s not a time that will shake headlines around the world, but it did cut half-a-second off of the old Brazilian best. Fernanda Delgado in the 14-year old girls’ 50 free also broke a National Record in 26.84.
And finally, in the boys’ 16-year olds, hometown swimmer Philip Monni was the fastest time in prelims in 1:04.17. That broke the National Age Record previously held by Thiago Parravicini from 2004 in 1:04.57. Parravicini has since gone on to break the NCAA Division II Record in the 200 breaststroke.
Just like in the 50 free, the 100 breaststroke is another event where the Brazilians have become experts at churning out elite swimmers.
Full meet results available here.
Morozov time is suit aided not? And about Shayne Fleming time?
Both were from late summer of 2008 – so I’d guess LZR’s, but not full polyurethane.
Great result by Santana.He will probably have a great result in 100free too.His best is 51.32, but probably will go down.
Watch out for André Augusto dos Santos(fourteen years-old).He is age group record holder with 58.26 in 100 backstroke.