Cesar Cielo Ready To Hand Over 50 Fly World Crown, But Will Still Race Hard (SW Radio)

May 15, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cesar Cielo swims the 100 LC Meter Butterfly during the preliminaries at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

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Cesar Cielo barely made it into the final of the 50 butterfly at the FINA world championships, giving him the opportunity to defend his title and win a third gold in the event. But, the Brazilian sprinter seems ready to pass the crown to countryman Nicholas Santos, who is the top seed heading into tomorrow’s final.

“I think the race now is between Nicholas and (Florent) Manaudou,” Cielo said. “I think those two are going to go 22.7 tomorrow, maybe 22.6. I have to actually swim a better race (than the semifinal).”

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Cielo said he hasn’t been feeling his best in the water for about a month, going as far back as the French Open in early July as an indicator that he was “feeling heavy.” More rest in the weeks since then hasn’t completely rid him of that sensation, he said, but he thinks fine-tuning the technical aspects of his butterfly could get him back on the podium.

If that doesn’t happen, he’s at least hoping a Brazilian can win the event for the fourth consecutive time at the long course world championships.

“I’m going to cheer for Nicholas underwater,” he said. “I want the best man to win. Usually I like to be the best man, but it’s part of the game. We’ll see tomorrow how the event’s going to go.”

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Niles Keeran
8 years ago

Trained, studied, practiced…where but the USA in Arizona, not in Brazil

Natália Antunes
8 years ago

He’s been feeling shoulder pain since the morning, he barely made it to the final… It’s a shame he might be injured now, but not trying too hard might be the best for him right now.

Pietro Verdinelli
8 years ago

Certinho a tradução!

Solange Bandeira
8 years ago

Espetáculo de se ver!Parabéns!

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