Maria Lenk Trophy, Brazil: Cesar Cielo Swims Through Injury

SANTOS, Brazil, May 4. THE first day of finals at the Maria Lenk Trophy featured wins by two rising Brazilian stars and a visiting Olympic medalist, as well as a laid-back semifinal performance by Cesar Cielo, amidst reports of an injury.

The first final of the meet was the men's 1500 freestyle, won by Luiz Arapiraca with a 15:21.11. Lucas Kanieski was second in 15:23.10 and third place went to Esteban Paz with a 15:51.20.

Michele Schmidt was the clear winner of the women's 200 breast with a 2:37.32. Second place went to Carolina Mussi with a 2:39.15, just ahead of Juliana Marin's third-place swim of 2:39.28.

The men's 200 breast saw a mildly surprising upset at the top of the podium. Tales Cerdeira, regularly among the top breaststrokers in Brazil, won with a 2:10.91, the fifth-fastest time of the year just behind Eric Shanteau's 2:10.84. National record holder Henrique Barbosa was second in 2:14.13 and Thiago Pereira was third in 2:14.32.

Poliana Okimoto, known mostly for her recent victories on the FINA open water world circuit, took to the pool and won the women's 800 freestyle in 8:36.59. Ana Marcela Cunha, also an accomplished open water swimmer, was second in 8:47.61. In third was Kristel Kobrich with an 8:53.92.

The women's 50 freestyle semifinals was led by Flavia Delaroli-Cazziolato's 25.40, just ahead of Dayne Paula Ferreira's 25.89. Third place going into tomorrow's final went to May de Souza with a 26.15.

Cesar Cielo will not take the fastest lane in tomorrow's final of the men's 50 freestyle. That honor went to Bruno Fratus, who swam the fastest semifinal time of 22.29. Cielo was second in 22.38. Brazilian media are reporting that Cielo is suffering from a back strain but has elected to compete. The third place swimmer in tomorrow's final will be Nicholas dos Santos, who swam a 22.87 in semifinals.

The women's 200 backstroke was won by Fernanda Alvarenga with a 2:17.23. Rounding out the podium was Rebekah Brittany with a 2:20.41 and Larissa Cieslak with a 2:20.66.

Austrian Olympian Markus Rogan won the men's 200 back with a 1:58.21 for a meet record and the sixth-fastest swim of the year. Leonardo de Deus was second in 2:00.43 and in third was Fernando Ernesto in 2:01.21.

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