There are few people who can boast international success before the age of 30, but Brazilian athlete, Etiene Medeiros, falls into that category.
Referred to as the “best swimmer in the history of Brazil”, Etiene is not only making big waves for her country, but also women worldwide.
As a young championed swimmer, she is the first Brazilian to win an individual gold medal in a World Championship for both long and short course, and has traveled around the globe to compete in several international swimming competitions – including Turkey, China, Spain, and most notably, Qatar where she achieved an extraordinary Guinness World Records title that has remained unbroken since 2014.
We at Guinness World Records believe in distinguishing inspirational and groundbreaking individuals, so in celebration of International Women’s Day, we recently recognized Etiene and her legacy with a certificate presentation at her local practice facility Maria Lenk Complex, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
With her coach, family members and local media present, the Brazilian champion was honored for accomplishing the record for fastest short course 50 metres backstroke swim by a female athlete – a feat that she executed in 25.67 seconds at the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) in Doha, Qatar, on 7 December 2014.
Official Guinness World Records adjudicator, Raquel Assis, formally presented the certificate to Etiene, who upon breaking that record, became the first Brazilian swimming record holder since Maria Lenk in 1939.
“It's been a great pleasure to work with Etiene, who is a mind-blowing athlete. Presenting this tribute is very special, and we are pleased to recognize her accomplishments on a global level as well as a national level. Etiene not only represents the sport of swimming, but is an inspiration for women in swimming as well! She is an example of what can happen when one diligently pursues their passion, and we are pleased to confirm her efforts are Officially Amazing."
Etiene’s remarkable story begins when she first entered the pool, at the age of one year and seven months.
Her parents never knew she would grow to become one of the most prominent swimmers in South America, they initially just wanted to engage her in a cardiovascular sport that would help her combat asthma and minimize the effects of the disease.
After seeing her natural skill for the sport, she became heavily involved in practice and went on to achieve her first major award at 17, a silver medal in the 50-metre backstroke at the 2008 FINA Youth World Swimming Championships in Monterrey, California.
In 2013, Etiene moved to São Paulo and start work with Coach Fernando Vanzella in club SESI-SP to take her swimming career to the next level.
This led to her record breaking moment in 2014 where she accomplished a title that no one else has held since that time.
Medeiros was the first woman in Brazil to get an individual medal in World Championships, and the first to win a gold medal. She won three (3) medals in the competition: the gold in the Women's 50 metre backstroke, another in the 4 × 50 metre mixed medley relay, and a bronze medal in the 4 × 50 metre mixed freestyle relay.
Since that time, she has gone on to be named one of Brazil’s 30 most influential people under 30 and has represented Brazil at the 2016 Olympics, competing in the women's 50 metre freestyle final, finishing 8th. She broke the South American record with a time of 24.45 in the semifinals, and competed in the women's 100 metre freestyle and the Women's 100 metre backstroke.
Now, Etiene is known for being a sprint backstroke and freestyle swimmer who has competed at Pan American Games and the Pan Pacific Championships.
She has gone on to also support causes that mean a great deal to her, including Squeeze Nado Por Tudo - in prevention of asthma, as well as the two editions of Touca Rosa - Nado por Todas, alluding to the Pink October, dedicated to fighting against breast cancer.
“I tell everyone, all kids and girls that I meet: believe, fight and above everything remain very focused on what you do. Have determination, because this is going to make you move forward in anything you choose in life. For this reason, be fearless in the pursuit of your goal. This is the absolute way to achieve your dreams."
Etiene hopes that those who hear her story will be inspired to not only pursue swimming but make history themselves.
As not many female swimmers have made an impact in the way she has, she hopes that women and young girls worldwide will take her story and become motivated to write their own doing whatever passion they love.
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