2022 SOUTH AMERICAN YOUTH GAMES
- April 28th – May 1st (swimming)
- Rosario, Argentina
- LCM (50m)
- Official Website
- SwimSwam Preview
- Results
The swimming portion of the third edition of the South American Youth Olympic Games concluded today, with the entire quadrennial multi-discipline competition spanning April 28th to May 8th in Rosario, Argentina. Nearly 2500 athletes from 15 countries are competing in Rosario, with the event having been postponed from 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The nation of Brazil wound up atop the overall medal tables at both the 2013 and 2017 editions of the competition, where athletes aged 14 to 18 compete across a sporting program akin to the Olympic Games.
This 2022 edition was no different, with Brazil capturing the overall swimming medal table trophy with a total of 44 pieces of hardware. That put them a sizable distance ahead of runners-up Colombia who amassed 13, while Venezuela rounded out the top 3 nations with 11 swimming medals in all.
University of Michigan commit Stephanie Balduccini proved to be a formidable force throughout the competition for Brazil, ultimately tallying 4 relay and 7 individual medals, including 4 golds.
In addition to taking silver in the 100m free, as well as bronze in both the 100m back and 100m fly, the 17-year-old grabbed gold in the 50m free, 200m free, 400m free and 200m IM.
First, in the women’s 200m IM, the future Wolverine put up a time of 2:17.38 to beat her peers by over 4 seconds.
Balduccini also made it happen in the 200 free, with the Brazilian scoring a time of 2:00.76 to secure gold. She recently put up a lifetime best of 1:57.7 at last month’s Brazil Trophy.
The teen hit results of 25.88 in the 50m free and 4:16.64 in the 400m free, respectively to cap off her remarkable portfolio of performances.
On Brazil’s overall domination in Rosario, Swimming Manager of CBDA and team leader Gustavo Otsuka said, “It was a great campaign by Brazilian Swimming here in Rosário. We maintained our hegemony and showed our strength in the South American continent.
“In addition, it was very important for these athletes to experience an edition of the Games, sharing experiences with athletes from other modalities and cultures.”
The most impressive was not the results..
But the workload with minimal rest, they did not have any podium between races, so almost back to back on the following order.
Day 1 – 200 medley Gold, 100 free Silver, Mixed 4×100 free Gold, then she went to the cerimony
Day 2 – 100 Back Bronze, 200 Free gold, 50 fly 4th place, 4×100 W Medley Gold (She swam Back)
Day 3 – 100 fly bronze, 50 breast 11th, 4×100 free Gold
Day 4 – 50 Free gold, 400 free Gold, 4×100 mixed medley (Prelims)
And her taper was probably long gone after Trials
Oh how I miss being young and able to do this. Double tapering for two 3 day meets a month apart with 7-9 events was easy back then.
I’m boarding the Balduccini Hype Train at this stop.
I think Michigan is getting a real talent. Looking forward to seeing what she can do in the SCY bathtub next year.
Her best time in 200 free is 1:57.7 in last month.
LCM?
yes
You’re right, from the Brazil Trophy. I’ve updated.
Hey Retta, any news on when the Chinese championships are?