Of the more than 10 medals won on the first day of the competition – which is taking place at the Alvalade swimming pool in Luanda – four are gold, five are silver and the remaining five are bronze, a feat never before achieved by the team. country, after nine participations in the event, writes Angop.
Lia Lima was one of the swimmers to win gold. In the 100-metre backstroke event, the athlete won, with a time of 1:13:31, first place in the senior women's category. According to Angop, still in the category of female seniors, Maria Freitas was also in evidence, as champion in the 50 meters breaststroke, with a mark of 35.95.
According to Angop, in the masters competition, Carlos Alberto was another of the athletes to win gold, in an isolated test of 100 meters backstroke, having scored a time of 1:10:53.
The silver medals, according to Angop, were won by athletes Rhanya Santo (juvenile 800 meters freestyle, with a time of 10.25.55) and N'hara Fernandes (50 meters breaststroke, with a time of 37.02).
Still in silver, but in men's, José Panzo came second in the 50-meter breaststroke master event, with 34.03, while, at the same distance, Santiago Guimarães also took silver with 37.99.
Also noteworthy is Henrique Mascarenhas who was in second place with a time of 8:58:34, writes Angop.
Rafaela Santo (800 meters with a mark of 10.15.21) and Daniel Francisco (with a mark of 30.58) also stood out when they came in third place (bronze medal).
The remaining medals, according to Angop, were won in relay competitions.
Minister calls for 'fair-play'
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Palmira Barbosa, called for 'fair play', when she spoke at the opening act of the championship.
"This event brings together hundreds of athletes and puts our human and sporting, administrative and technical skills to the test, for that reason, I ask that you spare no effort to get the best results out of it, whether it be placing, each selection, the largest number of athletes on the podium; whether it be in demonstrating the true competitive spirit of a professional athlete, which involves respect for the principles of fair play", she said.
"There is no doubt that winning and receiving the gold medal is pleasant, but it is also worthy of someone who knows how to recognize defeat", she added.
It should be noted that the championship, which started on Wednesday (May 3), has more than 300 swimmers from 13 countries and will run until Sunday (May 7).
