The 2017 Brazilian National Championships closed with Macarena Ceballos posting a new Argentinian National Record in the women’s 200 breast, while Etiene Medeiros and Bruno Fratus topped the sprint free events.
Women’s 200 Breast
Macarena Ailen Ceballos delivered a sizzling 2:26.90 in the women’s 200 breast, setting a new Argentinian National Record en route to gold. Ceballos’ time downs Julia Sebastian’s 2014 record of 2:27.03.
Julia Sebastian grabbed the silver medal with a 2:27.04, while third went to Pamela Alencar Souza and her time of 2:27.55.
All three athletes finished beneath the FINA ‘B’ cut of 2:31.02.
Men’s 200 Breast
Thiago Simon maintained his spot atop the leaderboard in the men’s 200 breast, stopping the clock at a 2:12.27.
Felipe Lima posted a second place finish of 2:15.17, followed by Caio Rodrigues Pumputis’ 2:16.00.
All three athletes were beneath the FINA ‘B’ cut of 2:15.70.
Women’s 50 Free
Etiene Medeiros improved upon her world ranking in the 50 free with a top showing of 24.73 during finals. Medeiros, who holds the Brazilian National Record at a 24.45, sits at ninth in the world rankings.
Alessandra Marchioro took second overall in finals with a 25.10, just ahead of Gracielle Herrmann’s time of 25.17.
All three athletes finished beneath the FINA ‘A’ cut of 25.18.
Men’s 50 Free
Bruno Fratus sprinted his way to victory in the men’s splash and dash, holding off a charging Cesar Cielo for gold. Fratus posted a final time of 21.70 to improve upon his prelims swim of 21.83 and rocket up to fourth in the world rankings.
Cielo turned in a 21.79 to claim second overall, while Italo Manzine was third with a 22.12.
With the FINA ‘A’ cut sitting at a 22.47, all three athletes finished beneath it.
Women’s 800 Free
Viviane Eichelberger earned gold in the women’s 800 free with a final time of 8:34.92. Eichelberger’s time falls beneath the FINA ‘A’ cut of 8:38.56, earning her a spot on the World Championships team.
Poliana Okimoto added a second place finish of 8:43.92, while Gabriela Cordeiro took third with a time of 8:51.14.
Men’s 1500 Free
Guilherme da Costa flirted with his own Brazilian National Record in finals of the men’s 1500 free. He stopped the clock at a 15:06.35, finishing just shy of his 15:05.23 record, but finishing well beneath the FINA ‘A’ cut of 15:12.79.
Brandonn Pierry Cruz slid beneath the ‘A’ standard, as well, with a 15:12.06 finish – good for second place. Diogo Villarinho touched third overall with a 15:18.15.
