World Championships, Day 7 Finals: Diogo Ribeiro Emerges on Top of Tight Field in 100 Butterfly

Diogo De Matos of Portugal prepares to compete in the Men's Butterfly 50m Semifinal during the 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall A in Fukuoka (Japan), July 23rd, 2023.

World Championships, Day 7 Finals: Diogo Ribeiro Emerges on Top of Tight Field in 100 Butterfly

Portugal’s Diogo Ribeiro has been a widely discussed rising star in the sport over the past few years, and this week at the World Championships in Doha, the 19-year-old has flourished. A few days after winning gold in the 50-meter butterfly, Ribeiro made it double gold by besting the field in the 100 butterfly.

Sitting in second at the turn, Ribeiro moved to the front of the field and prevailed in a tight field. Ribeiro registered a mark of 51.17, which was quicker than the 51.28 of runner-up Simon Bucher of Austria and the 51.32 of bronze medalist Jakub Majerski of Poland. The Netherlands’ Nyls Korstanje had the lead at the midpoint of the race, but fell to fourth over the last length.

Entering this edition of the World Championships, Ribeiro has been best known for his prowess in the 50 butterfly. But he’s also been a strong performer in the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle, and his victory in the 100 fly certainly enhances his international standing. Ribeiro was the 2022 world junior champ in the 100 fly, with that title complemented by crowns in the 50 free and 50 fly.

Fifth place in the final went to South African veteran Chad le Clos, who was timed in 51.48. Le Clos was seeking his latest medal in the event at Worlds. He was twice the gold medalist (2013 and 2015) and was the bronze medalist in 2019.

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