Clube de Regatas do Flamengo announces that Antonio Canetti has been relieved of his duties as head of the Flamengo Water Polo Club. The club expresses its immense gratitude to the professional, who has been at the poolside for the "Mais Querido" team since 2001, accumulating achievements both at the professional level, with four National League titles and five Brazilian Women's Cups under his belt, and at the youth level, building a legacy that extends far beyond the sport. 

Salvador Gómez is the new Head Coach of Flamengo's water polo team

Flamengo welcomes Spaniard Salvador "Chava" Gómez, one of the greatest names in world water polo, as the team's new Head Coach. Having participated in seven Olympic Games—five as a player and two as an assistant coach—Salvador arrives to lead our Sacred Gorro stars into a new phase, focusing on technical excellence, intensity, and continuous athlete development.

At 57, Gómez brings a successful career to the club, both as a player and as a coach. He was an Olympic champion in Atlanta 1996 and a silver medalist in Barcelona 1992. On the global stage, he won two gold medals at the World Championships in Perth 1998 and Fukuoka 2001, as well as three silver medals: in Rome 1994, Perth 1991, and the European Championships in Athens 1991. He also reached the podium at the 1993 Sheffield European Championships, cementing his position as one of the greatest names in Spanish water polo. He has worked as a coach since 2009, with stints at clubs in Spain, New Zealand, and China, and was also a member of the Chinese national team's coaching staff at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games as an assistant coach.

"It's a great honor and a challenge for me to be part of a historic and globally recognized club like Flamengo," said Gómez. "I will work hard to be the best. Together, we must ensure that Flamengo water polo takes the place it deserves."

Salvador “Chava” Gomez

Age: 57 years old (11/03/1968)

Nationality: Spanish

Languages: Spanish, Catalan, Italian and English

As a player:

Olympic Champion – Atlanta 1996

Olympic runner-up – Barcelona 1992

5 participations in the Olympic Games: 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004

Two-time world champion: Perth 1998 and Fukuoka 2001

World runner-up: Rome 1994, Perth 1991

European runner-up: Athens 1991

Bronze at the 1993 Sheffield European Championships

As a coach:

Operating since 2009

Assistant coach of the Chinese national team at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics

Stints at clubs in Spain, New Zealand and China