Flamengo debuts with victory in the Brazilian Swimming Championship

The competition runs until Sunday at the Fadel Fadel Aquatic Park, in Gávea.

By Roberta Pinto - in 16/12/2021 às 17:38

The first day of competition at the Brazilian Artistic Swimming Championships began with medals for Mengão. Julia Catharino, a bronze medalist at the Junior Pan American Games for the Brazilian National Team, opened the competition in the senior women's technical solo event to the tune of "Me and Mrs. Jones." The performance earned the red-and-black athlete the silver medal. First place went to Maria Bruno and third to Luiz Rodrigues, both from Fluminense. Jéssica Noutel and Eduarda Carrilho, athletes from Flamengo, Rafaela Geraldi (Paineiras), and Gabriela Brassac (Santa Mônica Clube de Campo) completed the final standings.

In the men's event, Bernardo Santos won gold in the Senior Men's Technical Solo, with 71.039 points. The athlete delivered a performance that perfectly combined technical routine and artistic elements, beating Fabiano Ferreira (Fluminense), who took silver with a total of 70.826. Thiago Paes of Tijuca Tênis Clube took bronze. Fluminense's Kennedy Lima and Bernardo Barreto and João Victor Bouças also competed in the final.

"I can't even explain what I'm feeling. I've been fighting for this gold for many years, and it's the result of a lot of training and a huge effort," celebrated Bernardo, quite emotional upon the announcement of the final result.

"Being at Flamengo has made all the difference. This nation is incredibly powerful. The visibility I have here and the publicity for my work have made the world aware of who I am. I'm very happy. There's still a lot to be done in the championship, and we'll fight hard for the gold medals," concluded the Paraíba native, who came alone from Paraíba to live in Rio de Janeiro three years ago.

It is worth noting that Bernardo has been pre-called up for the Brazilian National Team and will also compete in the Senior Mixed Technical Duet, Senior Mixed Free Duet and Senior Free Solo events.

In the Highlight event, the girls from Gávea shone and came out on top. The team, made up of Gabi Regly, Giovana Faria, Giovana Stephan, Jullia Catharino, Laura Miccuci, Lorena Molinos, Vitória Casale, Maria Clara Lobo, Duda Miccuci, and Maria Luiza Fonseca, put on a stunning performance and won the title with a score of 79.500. Fluminense finished second with a score of 75.850. Santa Mônica completed the podium with a score of 68.250.

The competition runs until Sunday at Fadel Fadel Aquatic Park. This Friday, starting at 9 a.m., the women's technical duet, junior technical team, senior mixed duet, senior technical event, and junior technical solo will be contested.

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.