Diogo Ribeiro (swimmer)

Diogo Matos Ribeiro (Portuguese pronunciation: [diˈoɣu ʁiˈβɐjɾu]; born 27 October 2004) is a Portuguese competitive swimmer who specializes in freestyle and butterfly events.[1][2] He represents S.L. Benfica at the club level.

Diogo Ribeiro
Ribeiro in 2022
Personal information
Full nameDiogo Matos Ribeiro
NationalityPortuguese
Born (2004-10-27) 27 October 2004 (age 19)
Coimbra, Portugal
Height184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight67 kg (148 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesButterfly, freestyle
ClubBenfica
CoachAndré Vaz
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing  Portugal
World Championships (LC)
Gold medal – first place 2024 Doha 50 m butterfly
Gold medal – first place 2024 Doha 100 m butterfly
Silver medal – second place 2023 Fukuoka 50 m butterfly
European Championships (LC)
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Rome 50 m butterfly
Mediterranean Games
Gold medal – first place 2022 Oran 50 m butterfly
Silver medal – second place 2022 Oran 100 m freestyle
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Lima 50 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 2022 Lima 50 m butterfly
Gold medal – first place 2022 Lima 100 m butterfly
European Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2021 Rome 100 m butterfly

Ribeiro rose to prominence in Portuguese and world swimming after winning three gold medals and establishing a new junior world record in the long course 50-metre butterfly event at the 2022 World Junior Championships in Lima, Peru.[3][4] The following year, competing in his first senior-level World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, he claimed a silver medal in the 50 metres butterfly with a national record time to become the first Portuguese swimmer to win a World Championship medal. Ribeiro's biggest achievement came at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, where he won the 50-metre and 100-metre butterfly events and secured the first World Championship gold medals for Portuguese swimming at senior level.[5]

Career edit

In his hometown of Coimbra, he was a swimmer for the Beatriz Santos Foundation (FBS), the Clube Náutico Académico (CNAC) and União 1919.[6] Diogo Ribeiro joined Lisbon-based S.L. Benfica in October 2021, renewing in 2022, in a contract that included the current Olympic cycle and the next one.[7]

Ribeiro won the gold medal in the 50-metre butterfly event at the 2022 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Lima, Peru with a Championships and Portuguese record time of 22.96 seconds, which was 0.09 seconds faster than the former world junior record of 23.05 seconds set by Andrey Minakov of Russia in 2020.[4][8][9][10][11] He also won the gold medal in the 100-metre butterfly, with a time of 52.03 seconds, and the gold medal in the 50-metre freestyle, with a time of 21.92 seconds.[12][13][14]

At the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, he won the silver medal in the 50-metre butterfly event, thus becoming the first ever Portuguese medalist in senior world championships.[15] He set a new Portuguese record with a time of 22.80 seconds.[16]

Diogo Ribeiro became world champion in the 100-meter butterfly at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, repeating the title he won five days earlier in the 50-meter butterfly event.[17]

Achievements edit

Results in international championships edit

Long course (50-metre pool)
Meet 50 freestyle 100 freestyle 50 butterfly 100 butterfly 4×100 medley
EJC 2021 11th 5th 6th  
MG 2022 5th     9th 5th
EC 2022 11th 9th   8th
WJC 2022   1st (h)[a]    
WC 2023 13th 10th   13th 16th
WC 2024 18th 11th     10th
a Ribeiro withdrew after qualifying for the semifinal.
Short course (25-metre pool)
Meet 100 freestyle 50 butterfly 100 butterfly 4×50 medley
EC 2023 7th 9th 9th 5th

Personal best times edit

Long course (50-metre pool)
Event Time Meet Location Date Notes Ref
50 m freestyle 21.87 2023 Portuguese National Championships Funchal, Portugal 30 March 2023 NR (h) [18][19][20]
100 m freestyle 47.98 2023 Portuguese National Championships Funchal, Portugal 31 March 2023 NR [18][19][20]
200 m freestyle 1:48.98 2023 Portuguese National Club Championships Oeiras, Portugal 7 April 2023 [18]
400 m freestyle 4:06.88 2022 Portuguese National Club Championships Oeiras, Portugal 9 April 2022 [18]
50 m backstroke 27.00 "Rumo a Tóquio 2021" Meet Coimbra, Portugal 27 March 2021 [18]
100 m backstroke 59.54 13th Coimbra Meet Coimbra, Portugal 24 April 2021 [18]
200 m backstroke 2:21.03 3rd Latvian Junior and Youth Championship Riga, Latvia 4 May 2019 [18]
50 m breaststroke 31.73 13th Coimbra Meet Coimbra, Portugal 24 April 2021 [18]
50 m butterfly 22.80 2023 World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka, Japan 24 July 2023 NR [18][20]
100 m butterfly 51.17 2024 World Aquatics Championships Doha, Qatar 17 February 2024 NR [18][20]
200 m butterfly 2:08.38 2019 Portuguese Junior National Championships Coimbra, Portugal 4 April 2019 [18]
200 m individual medley 2:11.46 "Rumo a Tóquio 2021" Meet Coimbra, Portugal 28 March 2021 [18]
400 m individual medley 4:48.79 2019 Portuguese Junior National Championships Coimbra, Portugal 5 April 2019 [18]
4×100 m freestyle relay 3:20.92 2023 Portuguese National Club Championships Oeiras, Portugal 6 April 2023 NR [18][20]
4×200 m freestyle relay 7:38.79 2023 Portuguese National Club Championships Oeiras, Portugal 7 April 2023 [18]
4×100 m medley relay 3:35.63 2023 World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka, Japan 30 July 2023 NR (h) [18][20]
Legend: NRPortuguese record;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; – en route to final mark; tt – time trial
Short course (25-metre pool)
Event Time Meet Location Date Notes Ref
50 m freestyle 21.87 8th International Algarve Meeting Albufeira, Portugal 13 November 2022 [18]
100 m freestyle 46.61 2023 European Short Course Championships Otopeni, Romania 10 December 2023 NR [18][21]
50 m backstroke 27.08 Vale do Sousa Open Felgueiras, Portugal 28 April 2019 [18]
50 m butterfly 22.71 2023 European Short Course Championships Otopeni, Romania 8 December 2023 NR [18][21]
100 m butterfly 51.00 2023 Portuguese National Club Championships Felgueiras, Portugal 22 December 2023 NR [18][21]
200 m butterfly 2:06.17 Vale do Sousa Open Felgueiras, Portugal 27 April 2019 [18]
200 m individual medley 2:09.69 Vale do Sousa Open Felgueiras, Portugal 28 April 2019 [18]
4×50 m freestyle relay 1:40.36 Vale do Sousa Open Felgueiras, Portugal 27 April 2019 [18]
4×50 m medley relay 1:33.82 2023 European Short Course Championships Otopeni, Romania 6 December 2023 [18]
Legend: NRPortuguese record;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; – en route to final mark; tt – time trial

Records edit

Below are listed Ribeiro's sanctioned record times obtained at world, continental and other relevant international competitions.

Long course (50-metre pool)
No. Event Time Meet Location Date Type Status Ref
1 50 m butterfly 23.38 2022 Mediterranean Games Oran, Algeria 1 July 2022 CR Current [22]
2 50 m butterfly 22.96 2022 World Junior Championships Lima, Peru 3 September 2022 WJR, CR Current [4][8][9][10][11]
Legend: WJRWorld junior record; CR – Competition record;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; – en route to final mark; tt – time trial

Personal life edit

Diogo Ribeiro lost his father when he was 4 years old and got into the habit, in his own words, "of talking to him a lot at night."[23][24] When he was 16, he had a motorbike accident in Coimbra that left him with a broken index finger, part of which he lost, and excruciating pain all over his body. Before he made a full recovery, he spent a week in hospital and a month in bed at home. Then he started physiotherapy, but for a while he still had to use a wheelchair when he went to the toilet.[25][26]

References edit

  1. ^ "RIBEIRO, Diogo Matos". www.swimrankings.net. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Jogos do Mediterrâneo: Diogo Ribeiro medalha de prata nos 100 metros livres" [Mediterranean Games: Diogo Ribeiro silver medalist in 100 metres freestyle]. Record (in European Portuguese). 2 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Diogo Ribeiro vence terceiro título mundial júnior nos 50 metros mariposa — e com recorde" [Diogo Ribeiro wins third World Junior Championships title in the 50 metres butterfly – with national record]. Público (in European Portuguese). 4 September 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b c FINA (3 September 2022). "8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Lima (PER): Men's 50m Butterfly Final Results". Omega Timing. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Fenómeno! Diogo Ribeiro reforça estatuto com mais um ouro nos Mundiais" [Phenomenon! Diogo Ribeiro strengthens his statut with another World Championships gold]. Diário de Notícias (in European Portuguese). 17 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Diogo Ribeiro: 'Até chegar à medalha olímpica não descanso'". Diário de Coimbra (in Portuguese). Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Rui Costa felicita Diogo Ribeiro, atleta do Benfica: "Que imensa admiração, que enorme orgulho sinto"". O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  8. ^ a b Dornan, Ben (3 September 2022). "Diogo Ribeiro Becomes First Junior Under 23 With 22.96 50 Fly World Junior Record". SwimSwam. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  9. ^ a b Rieder, David (3 September 2022). "World Junior Championships: Diogo Matos Ribeiro Takes Down 50 Fly World Junior Record For Third Gold Medal". Swimming World. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  10. ^ a b Almeida, Isaura (4 September 2022). "Diogo Ribeiro. Novo título mundial e com recorde do mundo júnior" (in Portuguese). Diário de Notícias. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  11. ^ a b Calaveiras, Carlos (4 September 2022). "Histórico. Diogo Ribeiro conquista terceira medalha de ouro no Mundial júnior" (in Portuguese). Rádio Renascença. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  12. ^ FINA (1 September 2022). "8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Lima (PER): Men's 100m Butterfly Final Results". Omega Timing. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  13. ^ FINA (2 September 2022). "8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Lima (PER): Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results". Omega Timing. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  14. ^ Neto, Virgilio Franceschi (5 September 2022). "Mundial Júnior de Natação: português Diogo Ribeiro conquista três ouros e recorde mundial; Brasil leva cinco medalhas" (in Portuguese). Olympics.com. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  15. ^ Dantas, Miguel (24 July 2023). "Diogo Ribeiro é vice-campeão do mundo de natação. Veja aqui a prova" [Diogo Ribeiro is runner-up at the swimming world championships. Watch the race here]. Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  16. ^ Candeias, Miguel (24 July 2023). "Mundial histórico: Diogo Ribeiro de prata! (vídeo)" [Historic world championships: Diogo Ribeiro wins silver! (video)]. A Bola (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Diogo Ribeiro é campeão do mundo de 100 metros mariposa". SIC Notícias (in Portuguese). 17 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Diogo MATOS RIBEIRO | Results | World Aquatics Official". World Aquatics. World Aquatics. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Resultados Finais" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Federação Portuguesa de Natação. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "Portuguese National Records – Men – Long Course (50m)". Swimrankings.net. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  21. ^ a b c "Portuguese National Records – Men – Short Course (25m)". Swimrankings.net. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Swimming – 50m Butterfly Men – Final – Results" (PDF). Oran 2022. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  23. ^ "Diogo Ribeiro: "Até chegar à medalha olímpica não descanso"". Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  24. ^ Roseiro, Bruno. ""Dedicatória? Sobretudo ao meu pai, que morreu com 44 anos. Tenho falado muito com ele, manda-me forças para ganhar", conta Diogo Ribeiro". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  25. ^ "Perdeu o dedo, abriu os olhos e aos 19 anos é um fenómeno da natação". Maisfutebol (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Diogo Ribeiro e o acidente de mota que o deixou com o dedo desfeito | Abola.pt". Abola.pt (in Portuguese). 24 February 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.

External links edit