Background
Leonardo Gomes de Deus was born on January 18, 1991 in Campo Grande, Brazil
International Competition
In 2010 at the South American Games in Medellin, Deus won two gold medals, one in the 200 M Backstroke, one in the 200M Butterfly, and was part of the silver medal winning 4X200M Free relay.
That same year he competed in the 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, California. He placed 9th in the 200M Butterfly and 11th in the 200M Backstroke.
At the 2010 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) in Dubai, Deus placed out of the night swims in the 100M backstroke where he was 28th and 15th in the 200M Butterfly.
2011 World Aquatics Championships (Shanghai, China) Pan Ams
At the 2011 World Aquatics Championships held in Shanghai, he swam the 2nd fastest time before the semifinals with a 1:55.55, but finished 13th in the semifinals. He also made the semifinals in the 200M Backstroke ultimately finishing 15th.
Later that year, at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Deus won gold in the 200M Butterfly, however he was originally disqualified and then reinstated as the winner. He was a part of the 4X200M Free relay that won the silver medal
2012 Summer Olympics (London, England)
Representing Brazil at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Deus qualified for the semifinals in the 200M Backstroke finishing 7th in his semifinal heat, but failed to make the Finals, ultimately finishing in 13th place. He also swam the 200M Butterfly, ending up in 21st place.
2013 World Championships (Barcelona, Spain)
At the 2013 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona, Deus made his first World International Final, placing 7th in the 200m Butterfly with a time of 1:56.06. Additionally, Deus placed 12th in the 200M backstroke and 12th in the 4X100M medley relay
2014 Nationals, South American Games, and Pan Pacs
In 2014 at the South American Games held in Santiago, Chile, Deus scored two gold medals. He was crowned champion in the 200m Butterfly and the 200m Backstroke, setting competition records in both events.
At the 2014 Maria Lenk Trophy in São Paulo, Deus broke the Brazilian record in 400M freestyle with a time of 3:50.90, Later the same year, in May, at the Brazilian Junior and Senior Swimming Championships, he broke the Brazilian record again with a time of 3:50.71. Continuing at the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, Deus placed 2nd in the 200M Butterfly, with a time of 1:55.28, and 6th in the 200M Backstroke
He broke the Brazilian 400M freestyle for the 3rd time , cruising to a 3:50.37.
2015 Nationals, Pan Ams
In April 2015, at the Maria Lenk Trophy, in Rio de Janeiro, he broke the South American record in the 400M freestyle, sailing under the 3:50 mark with a time of 3:49.62. He lowered his personal best in the 200M Butterfly to a 1:55.19.
At the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, de Deus won three medals, capturing gold in the 200M Butterfly with a new Pan Am Games record with a time of 1:55.01, he also won two bronze medals in the 200M Backstroke and in the 4X100 freestyle relay.
2015 World Championships
At the 2015 World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, de Deus was far off his best times in the 200M Butterfly and the 200M backstroke.
2016 Rio Olympics
Deus represented Brazil at the Rio Olympics in the 200M Butterfly and 200m backstroke, where he finished 13th overall in semis of both events.
2017 World Championships
Deus once again swam the 200 backstroke and fly at the 2017 World Champs, placing 12th in the 200 back and 14th in the 200 fly in semis.
2018 Pan Pacific Championships
Deus defended as reigning pan pac silver medalist in the 200 fly, touching in 1:54.89 for second place, half a second behind gold medalist Daiya Seto.
2018 Short Course World Championships
Deus swam on the 4×200 free relay prelims for Brazil, which went on to win a gold medal in finals.
2019 Pan American Games
Dues successfully 3-peated his Pan Ams 200 fly title, touching in a winning time of 1:55.86. He also defended his bronze in the 200 back from 4 years prior, touching for 3rd in the event in 1:58.73. Dues finished his program with a medal of each color, swimming on the prelims 4×100 medley relay for Brazil, which went on to earn silver in the final.
