Etienne Medeiros beats world record, takes the gold and makes history in Brazil

Note from BW of Brazil: Accomplishments in the sports world, while not being a regular feature here on the blog, we are always happy to share the victories of brasileiras when they happen. It was the case in the 2012 Olympic gold victory of women’s volleyball team as well as personal accomplishments on the basketball court in the cases of Janeth Arcain, Damiris Dantas do Amaral and Iziane Castro Marques. In some cases, the athleticism and physiques of Brazilian women even catches the attention of those in the world of social media, as what happened with track star Lucimar Silvestre. And even when they don’t quite make it to the top, the competition leads them to reaching their personal bests, as what happened with sprinter Evelyn dos Santos. But as in life, with discipline and hard work, losses and disappointments can also lead to eventual victories, as judo champion Rafaela Silva proved last year. Continuing in the spirit of victory, last Sunday presented us with yet another great performance, this time for the record books!

Etienne Medeiros beats world record, takes the gold and makes history in Brazil

Courtesy of Gazeta Press

Swimmer Etienne Medeiros had already been the principal name in the yellow and green women’s swimming in this FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) competition, but on Sunday she wrote her page in history. While Cielo celebrating the gold, Medeiros jumped in the pool and was the fastest in the final of the 50m backstroke, winning the first medal of the Brazilian women’s swimming World competition.

With a time of 25s67, the brasileira also broke the world record, that previously belonged to the Croatian Sanja Jovanovic. Australian Emily Seebohm took the silver, and Katinka Hosszu, the “Dama de Ferro” (Iron Lady), who fought to be the greatest medalist in Qatar, secured the bronze.

César Cielo gave an interview about his gold 100m freestyle when transmission cut quickly to catch only the end of Etienne’s victory. The surprise was stamped on the face of the Brazilian who didn’t seem to believe her victory. In the stands, her mother wept copiously.

“Guys, I don’t even know what to say, my dear I think it’s worth seeing. I was very nervous to swim, I created expectation, people create pressure, I have to learn to deal with this. (I have) no words. I have many to thank, my entire family is here, my father never traveled for more than five hours. There are many people in Brazil who are cheering, it’s very good,” thanked Etienne Medeiros, thrilled.

Source: ESPN