Brazil’s swimmers storm to multiple wins in Sao Paulo

Brazilian swimmers dominated the 2015 Open Caixa Loterias Swimming Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Thursday (23 April), winning 14 out of 29 events with just over 500 days to go until they compete at their home Paralympic Games.

Brazil’s men were in particularly good form, climbing onto the top of the podium twelve times in what will also act as part of the selection process for the team ahead of July’s IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow, Great Britain, and the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

National favourite, multiple world and Paralympic champion Daniel Dias (1:09.67), won his 100m freestyle S3-S5 final ahead of China’s S3 swimmer Lu Hanhua (1:39.05) and Dias’ teammate Ronystony Da Silva (1:39.61).

Fellow countryman Talisson Glock had a similarly great day in the pool, winning both of his 200m individual medley SM6 and 50m butterfly S6 events.

A series of Brazilian podium sweeps also served to highlight the team’s potential.

Caio De Oliveira (1:02.57) led his teammates to victory in the men’s 100m freestyle S8, with Ronaldo Bezerra (1:07.18) and Francisco Anastacio (1:16.92) in second and third respectively.

There was a second Brazilian one, two, three in the men’s 100m freestyle S10 led by London 2012 silver medallist Phelipe Melo (52.18), and followed by Leonardo Jacon (1:00.49) and Daniel Nascimento (1:09.46).

The men’s 50m butterfly S8 saw a close fight between winner Luan Santos (35.06) and compatriot Carlos Maciel (35.45) with Simplicio Campos (37.25) rounding off the podium. The same three men also composed the top three over the longer 100m sprint.

Notable international performances in the men’s events came from Japan’s Takuro Yamada (58.25) in the 100m freestyle S9, spoiling the Brazilian party with an exciting win over Vanilton Filho (58.82) and Ruiter Silva (59.80).

The hosts’ women also put in some great performances, proving their ability to lead the pack at major international meets.

Joana Euzebio (1:26.29) won the women’s 100m freestyle S6 ahead of China’s Liu Daomin (1:29.72) and Brazil’s Esthefany Rodrigues (1:34.73), whilst there was also success for Cecilia De Araujo in the S8 event.

De Araujo (1:14.00) led two Chinese athletes onto the podium – Chen Zhonglan (1:14.77) and Ke Liting (1:16.34).

Sweden’s Europeans bronze medallist Maja Reichard was successful in her preparations for Glasgow 2015, winning the women’s 100m freestyle S11 in 1:12.37. Regiane Silva (1:19.71) picked up another good result for Brazil in second and Argentina’s Nadia Baez (1:24.35) finished third.

Around 250 swimmers from 16 countries will compete at the Conjunto Aquático Caio Pompeu de Toledo venue until 25 April.

The Open is running alongside the IPC Athletics Grand Prix which also forms part of the Open Caixa Loterias Championships.

Glasgow 2015 will take place from 13-19 July and is expected to attract around 650 swimmers from 50 countries. Tickets and media accreditation are available at Glasgow2015.com.

Toronto 2015 begins on 7 August, with 1,600 athletes from 28 countries competing in 15 sports. Tickets are also on sale now.