Monday, November 20th, 2023.- In an extraordinary race, Brazilian Gabriel dos Santos, also known as Gabrielzinho, secured the gold medal in the male's 100m backstroke S2 in Santiago 2023, setting a new Parapan American record and leaving Chilean star Alberto Abarza with the silver medal.

It was one of the most anticipated events in Para Swimming at Santiago 2023, as Abarza was aiming to defend the title he won in Lima 2019. Additionally, he secured gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. But it was known that Gabrielzinho, who won five medals in Peru, was a formidable rival, and he made it evident.

The Brazilian took the lead from the start of the competition and claimed gold with a time of 2:02.02, breaking the Parapan American record previously held by Abarza (2:05.12). Abarza settled for silver with 2:06.98, while the bronze went to Peruvian Rodrigo Santillán, with 2:18.48.

Gabrielzinho and Abarza will continue to face each other at the Centro Acuático at the Estadio Nacional in the 50m backstroke and 200m freestyle events, where the Chilean will also defend his gold medals from Lima 2019.

Written by María Fernanda Pavéz and Alejandro Pérez; translated by Vicente Valdivia / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Photo by Marcelo Hernández / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport