Ana Clara Almeida comments on her first call-up to the Brazilian Youth National Team
Rubro-negra secured classification through the second stage of the National Artistic Swimming Selection
By Romulo Paranhos - in
It's selection time! Ana Clara Almeida is another Flamengo player who has qualified for the Brazilian Youth Artistic Swimming Team. The athlete secured her spot on the team through the second stage of the National Selection for the sport, which took place at the end of January at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Park in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro.Ana Clara took her first steps on the red-and-black youth team in early 2015 and was soon diving into the pools for the club's competitions. In her first challenge, the girl from Gávea placed third in the Figures event at the State Championship, and soon after, she won her first gold medal in the Duet event at the same tournament. At the Brazilian Children's Championship, the red-and-black athlete excelled again, securing first place in the Figures event.
Ana Clara's achievements didn't stop there. In 2017, at the São Paulo Open Artistic Swimming tournament, she secured gold in the Children's Solo and silver in the Youth Duet. Last year, the Mais Querido revelation participated in the Brazilian Interclub Children's Championship and, once again, secured gold in the Figure, Solo, and Duet events.
Ana Clara's excellent performances for the Red-Black team allowed her to compete in the National Trials, and with that, the artistic swimmer achieved the necessary points to secure a spot on the Brazilian Youth Team. Thrilled with the achievement, the Red-Black player commented on her first opportunity with the national squad.
"It's very gratifying for me to know that, after competing in a qualifier with more than 75 girls, I managed to place among the top five. It's incredibly satisfying. I was thrilled with the results and to know that all my hard work was rewarded. Now I just need to stay focused and always climb the podiums, honoring the colors of Flamengo and Brazil," said the athlete.
Ana Clara's first challenge representing the Brazilian National Team is the South American Children's and Youth Championship, scheduled to take place between April 19th and 25th in Viña Del Mar, Chile.
The artistic swimming teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – Banco Bonsucesso, Furnas, Estácio, LafargeHolcim/Cimento Mauá, EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR), in addition to support from the Brazilian Confederation of Clubs (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources originating from the Pelé Law.