The recent World Aquatics Championships in Singapore truly tested the mettle of elite swimmers. Yet, for Portugal, the event was a resounding success, according to Miguel Arrobas, president of the Portuguese Swimming Federation (FPN). He shared with Lusa on Saturday that the national team’s performance was “very positive.” It wasn’t just about good results, but also about valuable lessons learned on the global stage.
Arrobas described this year’s championship as one of the most challenging in recent memory. “This World Championship was incredibly high-level,” he noted. “It was the strongest we’ve seen in recent editions.” Despite the tough competition, he stressed the positive takeaway for Portugal. The team gained crucial insights, and their results came against the toughest swimmers.
The FPN president highlighted several key performances that filled the federation with hope. Diogo Ribeiro, Camila Rebelo, Francisca Martins, and Diana Durães formed Portugal’s quartet in the pure swimming events. Before that, Mafalda Rosa impressed in open water, securing a strong seventh place in the 10-kilometer race.
Diogo Ribeiro, just 20 years old, was a standout. He finished fourth in the 50-meter butterfly, setting a new national record with a time of 21.77 seconds. Ribeiro also grabbed 12th place in the 100-meter butterfly. These distances were where he previously claimed world titles in 2024.
Arrobas pointed out something remarkable about Ribeiro’s times in Singapore. “His times, both in the 50 and 100 meters, would have won gold in Doha in 2024,” he explained. This comparison really shows how much the sport has progressed and how high the current level of competition is.
Camila Rebelo also earned praise for her ninth-place finish in the 200-meter backstroke. Francisca Martins, who finished 15th in the 400-meter freestyle, also caught the president’s eye. Her performance “opens good prospects for her future development,” Arrobas added.
Perhaps one of the most inspiring stories came from Diana Durães. She placed 24th in the 800-meter freestyle and 25th in the 1500-meter freestyle. Arrobas explained that her participation marked a huge personal victory. “Diana Durães’s involvement helps her overcome a very difficult phase in her life,” he shared. “Her courage in swimming this World Championship is truly remarkable. Everything suggested her career was over before we got her into the Rio Maior High Performance Center.”