A day after breaking his own SM2 world record racing in the men\u2019s 150m individual medley SM3 final, the Brazilian armless Para swimming star Gabriel Geraldo dos Santos Araujo made it to the top of the podium in the 100m backstroke S2 with a new championship record of 1:54.58.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 23-year-old, who had to settle for fifth place previous day, beat Neutral Para Athlete Vladimir Danilenko by 7.71 seconds while Poland\u2019s Jacek Czech claimed the bronze on the third day of the\u00a0World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI reached my first goal,\u201d said dos Santos Araujo, who is nicknamed \u201cGabrielzinho\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was a sensational race, very close to my best time. For the beginning of a new cycle, this is a very good result. I was surprised by the time; I barely believed it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The five-time Paralympic champion, who triumphed in the event at Paris 2024, kicked off the race with his trademark power, propelling himself through the water with efficient, consistent legwork. He kept widening the gap to the chasing pack until it was impossible for anyone to close in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finishing well beyond the two-minute mark \u2013 a barrier few have broken \u2013 to collect his seventh world title, Gabrielzinho promised that greater things are yet to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is just the start. There will be more Gabrielzinho in the pool and I hope to be positively surprised again in the next races,\u201d the winner said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the past two editions of the world championships as well as at last year\u2019s Paralympic Games, he has, in addition to the 100m backstroke S2, also won gold in the 50m backstroke S2 and 200m freestyle S2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese results give me more confidence, and they make me believe that I can achieve my other goals here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The third day of competition in the Toyota World Para Swimming Championships Singapore 2025 was a successful one for Brazil. Finishing off with a mixed 4x50m medley relay 20pts triumph, the South Americans claimed seven medals, including four gold and two one-two finishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beatriz de Araujo Flausino won the women\u2019s 100m breaststroke SB14 final with a new championship record of 1:12.61, finishing 2.47 seconds ahead of her teammate Debora Borges Carneiro who clinched the silver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brazilian veteran Maria Carolina Santiago, 40, pulled off a narrow win over her compatriot Lucilene da Silva Sousa as she won gold in the women\u2019s 50m freestyle S12. The world record-holder touched the wall six tenths of a second before her teammate, who was 0.16 seconds ahead of bronze medallist Tsujiuchi Ayano from Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m super happy with this second win,\u201d said Santiago, who had claimed gold in the women\u2019s 100m backstroke S12 on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was expecting a lower time, but the more gold I can take to Brazil, the better. I\u2019m always happy to add to our medal tally.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n