Joao De Lucca Discusses 200 Free Prelim, Emotional 400 Free Relay (SW Radio)

Jul 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Joao De Lucca of Brazil before the men's 200m freestyle preliminary heat during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Aquatics UTS Centre and Field House. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports Images

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It’s been three weeks since Brazil’s Joao De Lucca won the 200 freestyle with South American record. He’s in the hunt for a place in the final at the FINA world championships, and he said he’s looking to make some changes to his performance to get that to happen.

“I tried to do the same strategy that I did at Pan Ams, trying to go out a little soft and save my legs a little bit,” De Lucca said. “In the end, I felt that I wasn’t as connected as I was at Pan Ams.”

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In order to move from one major competition to another one with ease, De Lucca said he tried to stay inside his own bubble, avoiding social media interaction as much as possible. He said he enjoys participating in conversations with swimming fans, but knew that he needed to step away to keep his mental edge.

“I really enjoy people congratulating me, giving me good energy, but … since Pan Ams I was trying to put my head in the game because you can get so lost in the distractions,” he said.

Today’s 200 free prelim came a day after swimming in the 400 free relay finals where Brazil placed fourth. It was a series of mixed emotions, with missing the medal stand but making a big leap forward in the event.

“We were dreaming to get a medal,” he said. “To be fourth in the world is amazing. All we got to do now is focus on the Olympics.”

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