Balduccini has won 7 medals at the Junior Pan American championships
Brazil’s Stephanie Balduccini and Guilherme Caribe have been tagged as the new rising stars in the game at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games swimming competition in Asunción, Paraguay, after their electrifying performances.
Balduccini won her 7th gold medal of the meet, tying for first in the women’s 50 freestyle and anchoring Brazil’s winning 4x200m freestyle relay, while Caribe blazed to a junior Pan American record in the men’s 50 freestyle with a stunning 21.72.
Their exploits highlighted Brazil’s dominance, with the nation amassing 20 golds on the swimming medal table.
Stephanie Balduccini, the Michigan-trained Brazilian standout, continued her remarkable campaign at the Junior Pan American Games, securing her 6th and 7th gold medals on August 13, 2025.
In the women’s 50 freestyle, she tied with Colombia’s Isabella Bedoya at 25.42, sharing a junior Pan American record in a thrilling dead-heat finish.
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She then anchored Brazil’s 4x200m freestyle relay to victory in 8:08.49, outpacing Argentina and Colombia, the latter setting a national record of 8:14.66.
“Another gold medal for Brazil,” Balduccini said, dedicating her wins to her family and coaching team, as quoted by Panam Sports.
Guilherme Caribe, meanwhile, set the pool alight with a junior Pan American record of 21.72 in the men’s 50 freestyle, a time just shy of his personal best of 21.46 from Brazilian Nationals.
The Tennessee athlete’s blistering sprint contributed to Brazil’s dominance, with teammate Stephan Steverink also shining by winning his 4th individual gold in the 400m IM (4:16.06).
Caribe’s victory, paired with Brazil’s men’s 4x200m freestyle relay triumph in 7:18.49, further solidified their lead on the medal table.
Caribe’s consistency, clocked a 21.67 in prelims and a 21.78 in Singapore’s World Championships semifinals earlier in 2025.
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Fans hailed Caribe’s “explosive speed,” while Brazil’s relay win, which saw Mexico and Chile take silver and a national record-setting bronze, underscored the nation’s depth.
As the meet progresses, Balduccini and Caribe’s performances signal bright futures on the global stage.
ALL/JE
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