Day four finals of the 2017 Brazilian National Championships, also known as the Maria Lenk Trophy meet, were highlighted by Nicholas Santos posting a world leading time in the men’s 50 fly en route to a new National Record. Joanna Maranhao continued to shine during the finals session, just missing her National Record in the women’s 400 IM.
Women’s 400 IM
Joanna Maranhao continued to dominate the women’s individual medleys with a top showing in the 400 IM. Maranhao finished more than 12 seconds ahead of the competition to claim gold with a 4:38.63, just missing her Brazilian National Record of 4:38.07. Her times places her within the top 20 world rankings for 2017.
Florencia Perotti grabbed second overall with a 4:50.75, followed closely by Bruna Veronez Primati’s 4:50.85.
Maranhao’s fell way beneath the FINA ‘A’ cut of 4:43.06, earning her another individual event for the World Championships in Budapest, while Perotti and Primati posted times beneath the FINA ‘B’ cut of 4:52.97.
Men’s 400 IM
Brandonn Pierry Cruz turned in the top time in the men’s 400 IM, clocking a final time of 4:13.06. His time moves him to ninth in the world rankings for 2017 and falls well below the FINA ‘A’ cut of 4:17.90.
Leonardo Santos picked up a narrow second place over Icaro Perreira with only .03 seconds separating the two of them. Santos stopped the clock at a 4:22.88 over Perreira’s 4:22.91 for the silver. Both athletes were well under the FINA ‘B’ cut of 4:26.93.
Women’s 200 Free
Manuella Lyrio posted a top finish in the women’s 200 free, stopping the clock at a 1:57.34 for the gold. Lyrio’s time moves her to 12th in the world rankings for 2017 and earned her an ‘A’ cut in this event.
Maria Paula Heitmann touched second overall with a 1:59.91, making her the only other athlete beneath the two minute mark, but missed the ‘A’ cut of 1:58.68.
Gabrielle Goncalves finished third overall with a 2:00.16.
Men’s 200 Free
Luiz Lopes Melo earned the gold medal in the men’s 200 free against one of the tightest fields of the session. Melo posted a final time of 1:48.16 for the gold, followed closely by the duo of Fernando Scheffer and Giuliano Carer Rocco.
Scheffer finished second overall with a 1:48.65, just ahead of Rocco’s 1:48.76.
All three athletes were below the FINA ‘B’ cut time of 1:51.50.
Women’s 200 Back
It was a race to the finish between Andrea Eliana Berrino and Fernanda Goeij in finals of the women’s 200 back. Berrino jumped to an early lead in the race, but Goeij fought back in the last 100 meters, closing the gap to a shy .22 seconds. Berrino claimed gold with a 2:13.11, just ahead of Goeij’s 2:13.33.
Both athletes finished below the FINA ‘B’ cut of 2:16.13.
Gabriela Albuquerque was third overall with a 2:16.28.
Men’s 200 Back
Leonardo de Deus finished first in the men’s 200 back, delivering a dominating 1:57.95 to finish close to two seconds ahead of the competition. His time places him within the top 20 world rankings for 2017 and beneath the FINA ‘A’ cut of 1:58.55, earning him a ticket to Budapest in the men’s 200 back.
Nathan Bighetti grabbed second overall with a 1:59.60 to be the only other athlete beneath the two minute mark, while Fabio Santi finished third with a 2:01.30.
Women’s 50 Fly
Daynara Ferreira Paula, the Brazilian National Record holder in this event, maintained her spot atop the women’s 50 fly leaderboard, clocking a final time of 26.51. Her time sits just outside of the FINA ‘A’ cut of 26.49, but does move her within the top 20 world rankings for 2017.
Bruna Lemos posted a second place finish of 26.65, just ahead of Daiene Dias’ 26.78.
All three athletes were below the FINA ‘B’ cut of 27.42.
Men’s 50 Fly
Nicholas Santos ended the session with a top showing in the men’s 50 fly, delivering the only sub-23 second swim at a 22.61. Santos’ time improves upon his prelims swim of 22.80, solidifying his spot atop the world rankings. In addition to moving to the top of the world rankings, his time sits as a new Brazilian National Record, besting Cesar Cielo’s 2012 record of 22.76.
Henrique de Souza Martins grabbed second overall with a 23.06, while Cesar Cielo was third with a 23.22.
All three athletes finished beneath the FINA ‘A’ cut of 23.67, however, only the top two athletes will be eligible to swim the event in Budapest.
Ahh, the 50 fly, so close, yet ever so much easier than the 100!!!1