Federico Grabich
Originally from Rosario, Aregentina Federico Grabich is a sprint specialist and Argentinian Olympian. Born May 26, 1990 Grabich stands 6’4″ and was South America’s first medalist at the 2015 World Championships when he won a bronze medal in the 100-meter freestyle. He began swimming from a young age, but due to his athleticism had an interest in other sports including basketball. He’s been representing Argentina in Junior and international meets since around 2008.
Early career
Grabich’s first international meet was the 2008 World Youth Championships, where he ended up placing 5th in the 50-meter freestyle. At the South American Games in Medellin in 2010 he not only won his first medal, but he won four total. He also was a member of the 4×100 medley relay, which won a bronze medal. The following year at the 2011 Pan American Games he won another bronze in the 4×100 mixed medley relay.
2012 London Olympics
Grabich qualified for his first Olympic Games in 2012, and surprisingly qualified for a backstroke event. In the 50-meter free Grabich finished 8th in his heat, and didn’t move on the semi-finals. He also qualified to swim in the 100-meter back, also finishing 8th within his heat.
2015 Pan Am’s
At the 2015 Pan American Games Brazil’s sprint influence was seen across South America. Grabich had a huge breakout at this meet, breaking the Argentine Record in the 100-meter free, which ranked 4th in the world. He also finished 2nd in the 200-meter free, breaking his own Argentine Record in the event.
2015 World Championships
At the 2015 World Championships in Kazan Grabich qualified 3rd going into the championship final of the 100-meter free. In the championship final, Grabich took out the first 50 meters smooth and sat in 6th place. At the turn he focused on the back-half of the race, and passed three competitors to touch in 3rd place behind Australia’s Cameron McEvoy and China’s Ning Zetao. He was South America’s first medal win of the competition, and hoped his performance would make an impact on swimming in his home country.
Grabich also swam in the 200-meter free, and although he didn’t advance from the semi’s to the championship heat, his team was a new Argentine Record — a record he just recently broke at the Pan Am’s.