Brazilian youngsters take down three meet records on opening day of Chico Piscina Trophy

D’Artagnan Dias contributed to this report.

Today was the first day of the Chico Piscina Trophy, which brings together young swimmers from various South American federations. It’s a meet that has featured numerous stars in it history, including Cesar Cielo, Thiago Pereira and Matheus Santana.

Athletes compete in the youth division (born in 2000 and 2001) and juvenile (born in 1998 and 1999).

Highlights of first day:

In the youth girls 400 free, Rafaela Raurich (Paraná) and Madja Chebaraka (Distrito Federal) had a nice duel, with Argentina’s Delfina Pignatiello on their shoulders until 200 meters. But at the halfway point, the two Brazilians pulled ahead and battled between themselves until the 300-mark, when Raurich turned on the jets to win in 4:23.51. That broke a 10-year-old meet record from South Africa’s Wendy Trott (4:23.92). Cherebaka was second in 4:26.46 and Pignatiello a distant third with a 4:32.54.

In the juvenile girls 100 breast, Gabrielle Roncatto (São Paulo) made history: she become the first person (boy or girl) to win four straight titles in a single event. She opened in 34.80, slightly ahead, and increased her tempo to win in 1:12.29. Isabel Fagundes (São Paulo) was third with a 1:15.06 with Argentina’s Malena Rolandi third in 1:15.30.

In the boys 100 breast for the same age group, Eduardo Fonseca Amaral (Minas) came in as the favorite, after a very strong 1:04.45 in prelims. He didnt leave any doubt about it after opening well ahead of the field with a 31.07 and closing with a body length lead in a new meet record of 1:04.04. Second was Yuri Querino (Minas) in 1:06.60 with São Paulo’s Caio Pumputis in third (1:06.81).

The third meet record of the day came in the girls 50 free juvenile division, with Sarah Marques (Paraná) beating Alessandra Marchioro’s tech suit record from 2009. Marques had a great start, pulling away from the field at breakout, increasing her strokes and length till the end with 25.83 for the new record (Marchioro’s old mark was 26.01). She was a full second ahead of second place (Clarissa Rodrigues from Pernambuco), with Luanna Martins Oliveira in third with a 26.94.

Team Scores after day 1

1. São Paulo 105,5
2. Paraná 103
3. Minas Gerais 73
4. Argentina 43
5. Rio de Janeiro 35

Full results are here.

A full recap from BestSwimming is here