Mauricio Fiol Resets Own Peruvian 200 Fly Record at 2015 Pan Am Games

Mauricio Fiol, who qualified first for the 200 meter butterfly finals at the 2015 Pan Am Games with a 1:56.81, has broken his own Peruvian national record with his finals swim of 1:55.15. That time also won him the silver medal; he was just .14 back from gold medalist and Brazilian Leonardo De Deus (1:55.01), while both Fiol and De Deus were under the old Pan Am Games record of 1:55.45 set by Kaio De Almeida (BRA) in 2007.

The difference for Fiol from prelims to finals was the back half. While he certainly took out his first 100 faster than in prelims, his third 50 was right where he was in the morning, and he stuck it out for a great final 50. That last 50 was the key part of Fiol’s race, as he was a full second faster than he was this morning. De Deus’ 29.77 third leg propelled him right past the Peruvian (who led at the 100) going into the final turn, and Fiol valiantly fought back. While he couldn’t overcome De Deus in the last stretch of the race, despite out-splitting the Brazilian by 19 hundredths of a second, Fiol still earned himself a new national record.

Here’s a look at Fiol’s comparative splits in his national record-breaking 200 fly from prelims to finals:

Prelims– 25.42 29.57 (54.99) // 30.47 31.35 (1:01.82) = 1:56.81

Finals– 25.20 29.07 (54.27) // 30.53 30.35 (1:00.88) = 1:55.15

Fiol is now the 8th fastest 200 butterflier in the world this year, while De Deus moves up from 7th to 6th this year.

Fiol is the fastest-ever butterflier of any distance for Peru, and he also holds Peruvian records in the 100, 200, and 400 meter freestyle races. He’s not done yet– Fiol is set to swim in the 100 fly and 400 free as well as on Peru’s 800 free relay and 400 free relay later on in these Games.