(ATR) The United States and Brazil enjoy a banner night at the aquatics center in Lima.
The second night in the swimming competition at the Pan American Games found a USA swimmer winning a medal in every one of the seven medal events, six of them at the top of the podium.
Brazilian swimmers were in the medals in five of the seven events, but only Fernando Muhlenberg in the men’s 200m freestyle took home a gold.
Breno Martins of Brazil won silver, with Drew Kibler of the USA taking the bronze in that event. For the gold medalist, the race had extra meaning as he secured the A Time Qualifying for Tokyo 2020.
"I did everything I planned. I’m really calm and try to be focused during competition. I was really mentally prepared," Muhlenberg said.
"I’m really happy to be here representing Brazil and being at my first Pan Am Game winning two races I think is a really good start. The team is really good, we are motivated and focused on the tournament."
As well as Brazil is performing, Team USA is doing even better.
Meaghan Raab and Claire Rasmus took gold and silver while dominating the women’s 200m freestyle.
Kendyl Stewart won the women’s 100m butterfly, with her teammate Sarah Gibson taking the bronze.
"It’s an honor to share the podium with Sarah. Even though this wasn’t my best time and I"m not satisfied enough, I won a medal and that’s important. We are having fun as a team and that’s good", said Stewart.
Thomas Shields won the men’s 100m butterfly. Luis Martinez of Guatemala finished with silver, after earlier breaking the Pan American record in the event during qualifying with a time of 51.44.
"I’m really happy with the silver medal. I came here with my head focused to find a place at the podium. After what happened this morning I thought I was going to get the gold, but maybe the nerves or the pressure made me go slower, but still I’m really happy," described Martinez.
The other Team USA medalists on the night were Alexandra Walsh (gold) and Isabelle Stadden (silver) in the women’s 200m backstroke and Daniel Carr (gold) and Nicholas Alexander (silver) in the men’s 200m backstroke.
The United States also won the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay, with Brazil finishing second.
Written and reported by Olivia Diaz Ugaldein Lima.
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