Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa highlighted the achievement of Diogo Ribeiro, who this Monday won the gold medal in the 50m butterfly at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar.
“Becoming world champion in the 50m butterfly in Doha, Diogo Ribeiro continues to make history under national colours. After silver, the first gold in the history of Portuguese swimming at the World Championships! A huge achievement for Portugal. Congratulations, champion!,” the official wrote on the social network X.
Diogo Ribeiro won his second medal in the event in Doha, swimming the course in 22.97 seconds, ahead of North American Michael Andrew (23.07) and Australian Cameron McAvoy (23.08), who finished second and third in the classification respectively.
“I have no words right now. The start was not very good, but I am very happy to become world champion,” reacted the 19-year-old Benfica swimmer immediately after the race.
In 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan, Diogo Ribeiro won Portugal’s first medal at the World Swimming Championships, finishing second in the 50m butterfly final, becoming the first Portuguese to reach two finals that year.
Secretary of State for Youth and Sports João Paulo Correia also praised Diogo Ribeiro through X.
“After silver in 2023, Diogo Ribeiro became the new world champion at 50 meters! The Portuguese must be very proud of this feat, which is a great credit to Portuguese sport. Congratulations to Diogo and Portuguese swimming!” he wrote.
The Portuguese athlete, world junior record holder in the 50m butterfly, is also registered in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly at the 2024 World Championships, distances in which he has already guaranteed qualification for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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