Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023.- For the third time in Para Swimming at Santiago 2023, Brazilian Gabriel dos Santos outpaced Chilean Alberto Abarza, who has yet to replicate his victories from Lima 2019. 

Similar to the S2 100m backstroke and S2 200m freestyle events, Gabrielzinho emerged victorious in the male's S2 50m freestyle on Wednesday, relegating Abarza to second place. His time was 52.09, ten seconds faster than the Chilean (1:02.33). Third place went to Mexican Cristopher Tronco, clocking 1:05.18. 

Gabrielzinho and Abarza will compete against each other in two more events: the S2 100m freestyle and the S2 50m backstroke. 

Another Chilean, Patricio Larenas, secured the bronze medal in the male's S3 50m freestyle. Gold and silver were claimed by Mexicans Diego López, with 46.88 (a Pan American record), and Marcos Zárate (52.05), respectively, while the Chilean swimmer registered 56.71. 

Apart from Gabrielzinho, another Brazilian shining in the pool at the Centro Acuático at the Estadio Nacional is Wendell Belarmino, who obtained his fifth gold medal today by winning the male's S11 100m backstroke with a time of 1:13.64, setting a new Pan American record. He was followed by Colombian Leider Lemus, with 1:16.81, and Brazilian José Perdigao, with 1:18.47. 

Lastly, in the female's S13 50m freestyle, Brazilian María Gómez secured her second gold of the day and fourth in total, winning with a time of 27.18. Silver went to American Grace Nuhfer, with 27.90, and bronze to Brazilian Lucilene da Silva, with 28.62. 

Written by María Fernanda Pavez and Alejandro Pérez; translated by Vicente Valdivia / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Ph: Christian Zapata / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport