According to Lusa, In Fukuoka, Japan, the young man at only 18 years old 'broke' the barrier that Portugal lacked, reaching a podium in World Swimming Championships, by becoming a runner-up of the World 50 butterfly.

Born in Coimbra, the young swimmer has been accompanied by Brazilian coach Alberto Silva, who has leveraged the results in pure Portuguese swimming, and since then has broken all barriers.


A three-time junior world champion in Lima, Peru, in 2022, he managed only Portugal's third podium at the European championship, broke national records and a junior world record and, when on Sunday qualified for the final of the 50 butterfly, was only the third Portuguese in history to do so, after Alexandre Yokochi (Madrid 1986) and Ana Barros (Perth 1991).

He did even better and, at the end of the race, got the final boost that allowed him to reach silver in this non-Olympic distance, in which he is a young world record holder, and take 16 hundredths of his previous maximum record.

He is already an isolated athlete in terms of accolades, leaving behind any other with this unprecedented record, and expectations can only rise in relation to Paris 2024, Olympic Games for which he is already qualified in three different distances.

Credits: Facebook; Author: @fpnatacao1930;

Long before 'shining' in Fukuoka, the national record holder of the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 50 and 100 butterfly had already shown, as always, some shyness and introspection, limiting himself to promising to "swim well" in this "huge dream" that is the debut in senior Worlds.

"I've always worked for it and now to be able to be there, with very competitive times, is a huge dream. I hope it goes well," he said.

Sparse in words, also the result of being young in age, friendliness and availability go hand in hand with work and dedication, which he never tires of highlighting and working together with the technical team and colleagues.


Moreover, in July 2021 a serious motorcycle accident, 'caught' by a heavy vehicle, left him on the verge of leaving the sport, without part of the index finger of his right hand, a fracture in his foot and bruises and burns.

Physical therapy allowed him to return to training and to the national spotlight of a talent who was almost about to leave the pool.

"I'm very emotional because of all the work that me and my team have had over the last year. It's incredible. As you probably know, I had a motorcycle accident. To come from there to come here and win a medal, the first of Portugal, is so important," he said, after receiving the silver.

The president of the Portuguese Swimming Federation, António José Silva, called him "a great champion", and believes that he will continue to “evolve” and believes he is "an exceptional athlete" who will bring "great achievements".