To see all of our 2019 Swammy Award winners, click here.
2019 South American Male Swimmer of the Year: Bruno Fratus, Brazil
Trofeu Maria Lenk de Natacao. Parque Aquatica Maria Lenk. 21 de abril de 2019, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brasil. Foto: Satiro Sodré/SSPress/CBDA.
After undergoing shoulder surgery for the second time in September 2018, Olympian Bruno Fratus came back in 2019 to earn well-deserved medals at the 2019 Worlds and 2019 Pan Ams.
At his first meet back at the 2019 Plantation Sectionals meet, Fratus put up a 22.15 in the 50 free, his signature event. Three months later at the Monaco stop of the Mare Nostrum series, Fratus put up a world-leading 50 free time (at the time) with a 21.31, the second-fastest swim of his career (LTB 21.27).
- Watch the race video here
Just a month later heading into the 2019 World championships, Fratus was primed to defend his silver medal position in the 50 free behind American Caeleb Dressel. During the event final, Fratus was successful in defending his silver medal, tying with Greek Kristian Gkolomeev.
Less than 2 weeks after his Worlds performance, Fratus hopped into the 2019 Pan Ams pool to win the 50 free against Americans Nathan Adrian and Michael Chadwick. Fratus also was a member of the winning 400 free relay with countrymen Breno Correia, Marcelo Chierighini, and Pedro Spajari, earning another Pan Ams gold medal.
Honorable Mentions
in no particular order
- Fernando Scheffer, Brazil — Scheffer was a crucial member of the Brazilian Pan Ams squad, hauling in 2 medals (1G, 1S) and contributing to the winning 800 free relay. Just 2 weeks at the 2019 Worlds, Scheffer was a member of the South American record-breaking 800 free relay.
- Guilherme Costa, Brazil — After earning Pan Ams gold in the 1500 free, Costa broke out at the 2019 U.S. Open meet. After the meet, Costa broke 3 distance South American records in the 400 free (3:46.57), 800 free (7:47.37), and 1500 free (14:55.49).
- Guilherme Guido, Brazil — During the second half of 2019, Guido broke out on the scene as one of the top sprint backstrokers heading into the 2020 Olympics. At the 2019 Pan Ams, Guido picked up an individual silver (100 BK) and contributed to the runner-up men’s 400 medley relay. Shortly after signing with ISL’s London Roar, Guido became a powerful asset with an 87.5% winning rate, the 3rd-best in the entire ISL.
All 2019 Men’s South American Records
- 400 Free: Guilherme Costa (BRA), 3:46.57
- 800 Free: Guilherme Costa (BRA), 7:47.37
- 1500 Free: Guilherme Costa (BRA), 14:55.49
- 50 Back (SCM): Guilherme Guido (BRA), 22.55
- 50 Breast: Felipe Lima (BRA), 26.33
- 50 Fly: Nicholas Santos (BRA), 22.60
- 800 Free Relay: Melo, Scheffer, de Lucca, Correia (BRA), 7:07.12
Past Winners
- 2018 Swammy — Nicholas Santos, Brazil
- 2017 Swammy — Bruno Fratus, Brazil
- 2016 Swammy — Felipe Franca Silva, Brazil
- 2015 Swammy — Thiago Pereira, Brazil
- 2014 Swammy — Felipe Franca Silva, Brazil
- 2013 Swammy — Cesar Cielo, Brazil
Do sprinters have more tattoos than other swimmers? Bruno has a lot of them.
We do, helps build the persona
“Helps build the persona.” What does that mean?
You really need someone to explain to you what a persona is?
per·so·na
/ˌpərˈsōnə/
noun
the aspect of someone’s character that is presented to or perceived by others.
“her public persona”
a role or character adopted by an author or an actor.
English is not even my first language…
I would put Santos, Lima and Gomes before Scheffer and Costa in honorable mentions.
Maybe higher priority to Olympic events and not 50s of strokes!
You forgot that guilherme guido broke the South America record in the 100 BK (LCM)