South America: Bruno Fratus Continues Momentum With 50 FR Silver Post-Surgery

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Brazil has stayed relatively quiet in the medal standings, only managing to earn three bronzes and two silvers after day 7. However, one of the country’s strongest sprinters, Bruno Fratus, is continuing to exhibit momentum after receiving shoulder surgery in September 2018.

Fratus competed in the 50 free final on Saturday and earned a silver medal next to Greek Kristian Gkolomeev and behind American Caeleb Dressel. This is now Fratus’ third time in a row medalling in this event after earning silver in 2017 and bronze in 2015.

The 29-year-old entered the meet with a world #2 time of 21.35, just 0.08s off his lifetime best of 21.27 set at the 2017 World Championships. During the final, Fratus tied for second place with a 21.45, still just a meager 0.18s off his lifetime best.

Just a few weeks before Worlds started, we looked into how Fratus experienced a very successful recovery with the introduction of AquaBred into his training regimen. The use of weight training and other explosive movements underwater allowed Fratus to focus more energy into his core and improved his feel for the water. With low impact on his joints, Fratus was then able to continue progressing into gaining his strength back in the most efficient way.

South America — Day 7 Medal Table

Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
11 Brazil 3 2 5

 

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Philip Johnson
4 years ago

Fratus is a racer pure and simple. If it weren’t for Dressel, he would be considered the best 50 free swimmer right now (would be back to back world champ. I really, really want him to get an Olympic medal next year.

Dudeman
4 years ago

Gotta be honest, Dressel will be very tough to beat next year but if anyone else could win gold I’d want it to be Fratus. He seems like such a great guy and has barely missed the podium in the last two Olympics. Would be great to see him medal in Tokyo

Philip Johnson
Reply to  Dudeman
4 years ago

He’s been the fastest since Dressel right with his 21.2?

Pvdh
Reply to  Philip Johnson
4 years ago

Ben Proud was 21.11 last year

Brunoverrated
4 years ago

Why can’t the guy learn how to start properly?

Pvdh
Reply to  Brunoverrated
4 years ago

Compared to Dressel, nobody starts properly.

Chaitha D.
4 years ago

Amazing

About Nick Pecoraro

Nick Pecoraro

Nick has had the passion for swimming since his first dive in the water in middle school, immediately falling for breaststroke. Nick had expanded to IM events in his late teens, helping foster a short, but memorable NCAA Div III swim experience at Calvin University. While working on his B.A. …

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