Portuguese swimmer, Diogo Ribeiro. won the Gold Medal in the 50-meter butterfly category, becoming the world champion at the 2024 Swimming World Championships taking place in Doha, Qatar.
Diogo Ribeiro completed the distance in 22.97 seconds, ahead of North American Michael Andrew (23.07) and Australian Cameron McEvoy (23.08).
Speaking after becoming World Champion, Diogo Ribeiro said, “I have no words at this moment” and he added, “The start wasn’t good but I’m very happy to be world champion.”
“I can’t believe that I am a world champion and that the national anthem of Portugal will sound for me, for the first time ever,” he rejoiced after winning.
This is Ribeiro’s first world title and Portugal’s first swimming title at a World Championships. He also became the world junior record holder in the event.
“When I touched the wall and watched the time and I saw I was first, I got a feeling that I had never felt before […] This medal goes for my country, my staff, my family, my girlfriend who’s here supporting me… it means that we all can do it, we just have to think big and always think that everything is possible,” he said.
Diogo Matos Ribeiro, born on 27 October 2004, is a Portuguese swimmer who competes for the Lisbon-based club S.L. Benfica. He has achieved notable success in his career, notably at the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, in 2023, when he became Portugal’s first swimmer to medal at the World Championships with a silver in the men’s 50Fly, setting a new national record with a time of 22.80 seconds and earning Portugal’s first World medal in the history of the sport.
The 2024 World Aquatics Championships are taking place in Doha, Qatar, from February 2 to February 18. The Championships are being held at three venues: the Aspire Dome for swimming and artistic swimming, the Hamad Aquatic Centre for diving, and Old Doha Port for open water swimming and high diving. A total of 75 medal events across six categories are scheduled.
PAJ/Staff
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