Flamengo is the Brazilian artistic swimming champion
Rubro-negro is the best in Brazil in the junior and senior categories
By Roberta Pinto - inFlamengo ended its participation in the Brazilian Artistic Swimming Championships, held at the Fadel Fadel Aquatic Park in Gávea, on a high note. On the final day of competition, the red-and-black team won three more gold medals: in the junior duet, senior duet, and adult team. With excellent performances from its entire team throughout the championship, Flamengo was crowned Brazilian Senior Champion (240 points) and Junior Champion (200 points).
"It's very gratifying to reach the end of a competition like this, where the level was extremely high, and to see that all the hard work paid off. The result is a tribute to the entire committee and all the athletes. I can only thank them for trusting me and my work. I can't even explain what I'm feeling," said coach Jéssica Noutel, quite emotional at the end of the competition.
A sunny Sunday filled with packed stands in Gávea began with the junior free duet performance. Jaddy Milla and Luzia Galvez achieved excellent scores and took the title. They scored 144.648 points, while the runners-up, Laura Chardullo and Marina Bauer of Paineiras, scored 140.955 points.
The second and most anticipated event of the day, the senior free duet, featuring Maria Clara Lobo and Laura Miccuci, was thrilling. The red-and-blacks had already won the technical duet event, held on Friday, and needed another strong performance to overturn the favoritism of the tricolor duo of Maria Bruno and Luiza Borges.
The two duos put on a show underwater. With breathtaking choreography, the Flamengo duo celebrated the Brazilian title with 160.120 points, compared to Fluminense's 159.810.
"This title has a very special flavor. It was a very competitive Brazilian Championship, and we knew we had to give our all to achieve the desired result. What we experienced during these four days here at Mengão was surreal. Thank you to the Nation for the energy and for all the fans. We are champions!!!!" thanked Maria Clara Lobo.
And to finish off the show in style, the senior freestyle team brought the stands to their feet with their exuberant and highly creative choreography. The group, made up of Gabi Regly, Julia Catharino, Giovana Leal, Laura Miccuci, Duda Miccuci, Vitoria Casale, Jaddy Milla, Lorena Molinos, and Maria Clara Lobo, scored 156.953 points and won the gold medal. Fluminense finished in second place.
"Our sport is made with a lot of love. And what we did here in this competition represented who we are," said young Jullia Catharino.
"With each race I swam, I felt a special glow and strength in the eyes of all the girls. I'm sure the unity of this group made all the difference," concluded Gabi Regly, who swam five races and won five gold medals.
The artistic swimming teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – Rede D'or, Coperalcool, Hoteis.com – via the Federal Sports Incentive Law/Special Sports Secretariat (SEESP), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources originating from the Pelé Law.
FINAL SENIOR SCORE
FLAMENGO – 240 POINTS
FLUMINENSE - 218 POINTS
PAINEIRAS – 76 POINTS
JUNIOR FINAL SCORE
FLAMENGO – 200 POINTS
PAINEIRAS – 140 POINTS
TIJUCA – 125 POINTS