Brazil swept the 50 free, as Bruno Fratus managed to get his hand on the wall first with a time of 21.61. It was equally a personal victory for the 30-year-old sprinter, who settled for silvers in both the 2011 and 2015 Games. America’s Nathan Adrian locked down second with a time of 21.87, upsetting the event’s top seed, Michael Chadwick (21.99). It was a season-best time for the silver medalist, whose tumultuous year involving a battle with cancer has hardly affected his attitude and racing capabilities.
Gabriel Castano of Mexico climbed in the rankings, falling just short of the podium with a time of 22.23. Pedro Spajari chased him, narrowly conceding fourth with a 22.27 ahead of Argentina’s Santiago Grassi (22.28). Venezuela’s Alberto Mestre (22.40) brought up the rear, along with Surname’s first A-finalist of the meet, Renzo Tjon-A-Joe (22.58).
