2019 Pan American Games: Leonardo de Dues Wins Historic Third Pan American Title in 200 Fly

Jul 14, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Leonardo De Deus of Brazil celebrates after winning in the men's 200m butterfly swimming final during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Aquatics UTS Centre and Field House. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Leonardo de Deus became the third swimmer to ever win the same event at Pan American Games three times. Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel/USA Today Sports Images

As if the night hadn’t produced enough historic swims, Leonardo de Dues of Brazil became the third person to win three Pan American titles in the same event (200 fly). Surging down the center of the lane to a 1:55.86 finish, Gomes dusted the rest of the field, leaving America’s Samuel Pomajevich (1:57.35) and Colombia’s Jonathan Gomez (1:57.75) to chase him.

It was Brazil’s Luiz Melo (1:57.78) who experienced the night’s heartbreaker, as he fell to fourth by 0.03 and eclipsed the podium. Jose Martinez of Mexico barely beat his compatriot to the finish, clocking in at 1:59.23 to mark the last man under 2:00. Hector Ruvalcaba put forth a nearly identical swim to prelims, tallying points for his country with a 2:00.69.

While Thomas Shields appeared to be a viable contender for a medal, the eager American ultimately fell short, conceding seventh to Argentina’s Nicolas Deferrari (2:01.84) with his 2:06.65.

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